The first all-electric taxi fleet in the Philippines has arrived in the country, offering commuters a more eco-friendly option for navigating the metro. Green GSM, powered by VinFast electric vehicles (EVs) from Vietnam, promises to provide riders with “better, more affordable and eco-friendly rides.”
While biking over the weekend, I spotted a large gathering of the electric taxis with a film crew inside Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City shooting photos and videos ahead of their official launch this month, and took the chance to find out more about the company.
Here’s what we know so far about Green GSM.
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What is Green GSM?
Green GSM, which stands for Green and Smart Mobility, is a new taxi and transportation network vehicle service launching in the Philippines that uses brand-new electric taxis for its fleet.
The vehicles are powered by electric cars from VinFast, an automotive company founded by Vietnamese billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Vingroup Corporation Chairman.
The Vietnamese multinational automotive company is the first Vietnamese car brand to expand into global markets as well as the first to expand into electric vehicles (EVs) like electric cars and electric scooters.
The company, which operates as Xanh SM in Vietnam is reportedly Vietnam’s leading tech taxi company. ‘Xanh’ literally means green or blue in Vietnamese, referring to the distinct blue-green shade cyan, the car’s signature color.
The company has been actively serving customers across Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia. According to industry news from the VinGroup, the company primarily uses VinFast VFe34 units specifically for ride-hailing and commercial services in Vietnam along with the VinFast VF5 model and the VinFast VF8 for their LuxuryCar service.
So what’s it like driving or riding in these EVs, and how fast do they go, you may ask? Check out Top Gear’s previous test rides of the various VinFast EVs.
When will Green GSM launch in the Philippines?
Green GSM is expected to launch in Metro Manila this June 2025. Team captains onsite shared that commuters can already download their app and start booking rides. Stay tuned for updates on their exact rollout dates in different areas on their Facebook page: Green GSM Philippines.
What’s the difference riding electric taxis vs. regular taxis?
The main difference of this new electric taxi company is they’re utilizing “new, modern, and well-invested electric vehicles” for their fleet compared to the older, fuel-dependent taxis that currently ply our roads.
Green GSM says thanks to its all-electric VinFast fleet, it can provide “quiet, emissions-free, smooth, and odorless car rides.” The use of an all-electric taxi fleet will have the potential to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the country’s transportation sector.
Netizens who’ve had the chance to ride this as their taxis in Vietnam in areas like Saigon and Sapa described it to be “quiet and smooth—guilt-free, as it is emission-free” and "super sulit."
Unlike traditional local taxis that can only be flagged down manually, Green GSM’s cars can be flagged down manually AND they work like a TNVS, so users can also book rides with just a few taps on an app.
The transparent fare policy is another plus since customers can know the fare in advance before booking a trip, unlike regular taxis, so there’s no danger of being overcharged.
How to book a ride with Green GSM electric taxis
According to their Facebook page, users have three ways to book rides. As mentioned, passengers can book rides via an app (similar to other ride-hailing services) or hail one like normal taxis if they see one on the road or in public spaces around the city. For old-schoolers, you can even make calls to their hotline to schedule rides.
- Hail drivers on the road (similar to any other taxis)
- Schedule a ride through their hotline: 02-77778080
- Book rides through their app (similar to other TNVS or ride-hailing services)
Where can you download the Green GSM app?
Search for the Green GSM: Book EV Rides on Google Play and install it.
Based on an initial look at the app, it looks intuitive and easy to use, so users can easily book a ride with just a few simple steps. While we haven’t tried booking an actual ride yet, upon checking the fare difference to other TNVS, the fare seems lower for the same routes, making this a promising alternative for regular taxi users.
Based on fare calculations, it would cost P181 to get from Quezon Memorial Circle to Gateway Mall 2 using Green GSM versus P227 on the saver option or P265 on standard cars on the leading ride-hailing app. The accepted payment options on the app include cash/QRPH with an option to link PayMaya.
Have you tried riding the Green GSM electric taxis already? Let us know in the comments section.
