Vinfast EV Taxis Now in Manila — Exclusive Updates - CleanTechnica

Vietnamese transportation company Green & Smart Mobility (GSM) has launched its fleet of VinFast Nerio Green electric taxis in the Philippines, marking the country as the fourth in Southeast Asia to receive these EV taxis after Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia. The local operation, known as Green GSM, officially introduced the taxis and drivers at Quezon Memorial Circle in Manila. Green GSM aims to address the longstanding issues in the Philippine taxi industry, such as old, unsafe vehicles and a problematic franchising and compensation system that fosters discourteous and corrupt driver behavior. The company offers full-time driver positions with fixed salaries and incentives, replacing the traditional daily contract system, and also provides an Uber-style partnership model for EV owners. Green GSM drivers, referred to as “Green Ambassadors,” undergo intensive training to promote courteous service and safety, fostering pride and purpose in modernizing transportation with eco-friendly vehicles. The company has partnered with R&E Taxi, Manila’s largest taxi service, and established a central hub in Caloocan City with over 30 charging stations, parking, and servicing facilities for the EV fleet. The service currently covers Metro Manila and nearby provinces within a 20-30 kilometer radius. The chosen vehicle for the fleet is the VinFast Nerio Green, a variant of the VF e34 battery-electric compact crossover SUV, specifically re-engineered to meet public transportation needs. This initiative represents a significant step toward cleaner, safer, and more reliable taxi services in the Philippines.