Green SM Taxis India: Can the Vietnamese Disruptor Fill the BluSmart-Sized Hole in Delhi-NCR?

On June 5, 2026, Vietnam-based mobility giant Green SM (GSM) officially launched its electric taxi service, Green SM Limo, in New Delhi.

With an ambitious plan to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles across India, Green SM isn’t just launching a taxi app; it is live-demonstrating a vertically integrated EV ecosystem designed to solve the reliability issues that have long plagued Indian commuters.

The Fleet: A Technical Deep-Dive into the VinFast Limo Green

At the heart of the service is the VinFast Limo Green, a specialized, fleet-only variant of the VinFast MPV 7. Unlike standard sedan-based cabs, this is a purpose-built seven-seater SUV designed for high-utilization passenger services

The vehicle features the following technical specifications:

• Battery & Range: A 60.13 kWh battery pack delivering an ARAI-certified range of 517 km. Real-world performance suggests a usable range of approximately 450 km for city duty.
• Performance: A front-mounted motor producing 201–204 bhp and 280 Nm of torque, with a top speed capped at 140 kmph.
• Interior Configuration: A three-row, 7-seater layout with an all-black cabin theme for durability.
• Safety Tech: The proprietary “Secure-to-Safe” system includes AI-powered interior and exterior cameras, IR sensors for driver drowsiness detection, and four physical SOS buttons located on the B and C pillars.

Why Green SM Has a Competitive Edge

Why is Green SM different from Uber or Ola? Those giants are aggregators; they don’t own the cars and they don’t employ the drivers. Green SM, however, is an owner-operator.

Because Green SM is a sister company to the manufacturer, VinFast, it acquires its vehicles at near-cost directly from the company’s Tamil Nadu manufacturing plant. This structural edge allows them to bypass the massive capital lease costs that often sink smaller electric fleets.

The Pricing Riddle: Is ₹8/km Realistic?

The headline that grabbed everyone’s attention was the ₹8 per km starting fare. If true, this would dramatically undercut Uber and Ola’s base rates, which typically hover between ₹10 and ₹14 per km for sedans.

However, the on ground reality is a bit more expensive. An independent first-ride review in Gurgaon revealed that a 5.6 km trip cost ₹232 – roughly ₹41 per km. While this positions Green SM as a premium service (sitting between Uber Premier and Uber Black), the value lies in the upfront, transparent pricing. The fare you see when you book is the fare you pay, regardless of the traffic on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway.

The Experience: Plush but Oversized?

Riding in a Green SM Limo feels significantly different from a standard city cab. The ride quality is silent and plush, with damping that handles broken city roads without feeling “floaty”. The AC is notably strong, featuring separate roof-mounted controls and vents for third-row passengers.

However, the vehicle’s size is a double-edged sword. While it is a perfect airport luggage hauler, its large footprint makes it cumbersome in the narrow, cratered gullies of residential Gurgaon. The app also needs refinement; currently, its destination search is not as intuitive as Google Maps-integrated competitors, often defaulting to Terminal 3 for all airport searches.

The Competitive Landscape: A New Three-Way Battle

Green SM isn’t just fighting the old guard. A new rival, Bharat Taxi, has also emerged. Supported by the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi uses a cooperative-led model where drivers are members rather than contractors, aiming to eliminate the high commissions charged by tech platforms.

While Bharat Taxi targets the budget-conscious segment, Green SM is doubling down on the “5-Star Service Commitment”-a model based on cleanliness, professional training, and a strict no-cancellation policy.

Final Verdict: A Test Drive for the Future

Green SM’s launch is more than just a new taxi company; it is VinFast’s live demonstration of its EV ecosystem in India. By putting thousands of passengers into VinFast cars daily, they are building brand trust for their retail passenger vehicle business.

If Green SM can resolve its driver payout disputes and refine its app experience, it stands a real chance of becoming the “BluSmart replacement” India has been waiting for. For now, it is the best option for airport runs and late-night travel where reliability is worth the premium.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Green SM and when did it launch in India? Green SM (GSM) is a global electric mobility company backed by Vietnam’s Vingroup. It officially launched its electric taxi service, Green SM Limo, in India on June 5, 2026, coinciding with World Environment Day.

2. Which car does Green SM use for its taxi service? The service exclusively uses the VinFast Limo Green, a fully electric seven-seater MPV/SUV specifically developed for high-utilization commercial use. It features a spacious all-black interior, fabric seats, and roof-mounted AC vents for rear passengers.

3. What is the fare for a Green SM taxi? Real-world testing in the Delhi-NCR region has shown costs closer to the premium end of the market, such as a 5.6 km trip costing ₹230. Pricing is transparent and provided upfront at the time of booking.

4. How is Green SM different from Uber and Ola? Unlike Uber and Ola, which are digital aggregators, Green SM follows an owner-operator model. The company owns its entire fleet and employs drivers on a fixed-salary basis rather than a per-ride commission. A major differentiator is their “no-cancellation” policy: once a ride is assigned, the driver cannot cancel it.

5. Where is the service currently available? The first phase of operations is concentrated in Delhi-NCR, including key areas of New Delhi and Gurgaon. The company plans to eventually deploy 10,000 vehicles across other major Indian cities.

6. What safety features do these taxis have? Every vehicle is equipped with the “Secure-to-Safe” system, which includes AI-powered interior and exterior cameras, IR sensors to monitor driver drowsiness, and four physical SOS buttons located on the B- and C-pillars for passenger and driver use.

7. How much do Green SM drivers earn? The company recruits drivers with the promise of a “Minimum Business Guarantee Income” of ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month. However, this payout is linked to strict performance metrics, including a minimum 90% ride acceptance rate and a 4.8 customer rating.

8. How can I book a Green SM taxi? You can book a ride through the Green SM app (available on the App Store and Google Play), by calling their dedicated hotline, or by hailing a vehicle directly on the street within their operating zones.

9. What is the driving range of a Green SM taxi? The VinFast Limo Green has an ARAI-certified range of 517 km on a full charge. In real-world city driving conditions, drivers have reported a usable range of approximately 450 km