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Electric Taxis Spark Driver Protests in Bengaluru
11 Nov
Summary
- Green SM, Vingroup's EV taxi service, licensed in Karnataka.
- Taxi unions protest entry, citing reduced driver earnings.
- Licence valid until September 2031, amid union scrutiny.
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup's electric taxi service, Green SM, has secured a licence from the Karnataka government to operate app-based cab services within the state. This development marks its entry into Bengaluru's competitive ride-hailing market. However, the proposed expansion has spurred protests from local taxi unions. They fear that the introduction of another major player will further diminish driver earnings, especially with rising operational costs.
Transport department officials confirmed that Green SM received its licence under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016, which remains valid until September 2031. Taxi associations have raised questions regarding the licensing process, alleging improper vehicle inspections and potential violations of court directives. They are calling for stricter enforcement of aggregator regulations and a transparent fare structure.
Green SM, Vingroup's mobility arm, already operates an all-electric fleet in India, having launched in Delhi-NCR in June 2026 and expanded to cities like Hyderabad. The company utilizes electric vehicles, such as the seven-seater VinFast Limo Green, and offers competitive fares. Its entry into Bengaluru occurs amidst a dynamic ride-hailing landscape, with Karnataka having implemented a uniform fare structure for app-based cabs in 2024.
