Green SM Begins Electric Taxi Trial in Amsterdam
Green SM, a Vietnamese electric mobility firm, launched a pilot electric taxi service in Amsterdam on Thursday. The initial service covers Centrum, West, and Zuid, with plans to expand to other districts as the company builds its driver network and standards. The Netherlands becomes Green SM's second European market after Denmark and its eighth market worldwide, using VinFast vehicles.
Green SM’s Amsterdam pilot follows its July launch in Copenhagen, with Denmark as its first European market. The Netherlands is the company’s eighth global market. The service initially covers Centrum, West, and Zuid, with Oost, Noord, Nieuw-West, and Zuidoost planned later. It uses VinFast vehicles and combines employed drivers with a rental option letting drivers keep as much as 85% of fares.
VinFast entered Europe in 2022, showing VF 8 and VF 9 in Oslo, then opened stores in Cologne and Paris. It named Amsterdam its Dutch headquarters and later displayed electric buses at Busworld Europe. Green SM, founded in Vietnam in 2023, is not a manufacturer; it runs mobility services around VinFast vehicles.
Amsterdam passengers could benefit from discounted electric rides during the pilot, while local taxi operators may face added competition. Drivers might gain employment or rental-based income opportunities, though earnings and working conditions may vary. If the service expands, it could increase electric vehicle use and charging demand in the city, but its broader effect may depend on driver recruitment, service reliability, and how regulators and customers respond.