The electric MPV is beginning to appear on streets in its bright green colour as people get warmed up to the idea of electric cabs
The first rider experience of the new VinFast Green SM EV taxi is out. The Indian EV space is gaining immense popularity with each passing day. In fact, EVs have also entered the commercial fleet space now. That is where VinFast is trying to establish a dominating ecosystem with its own electric cars and the entire cab business. This includes taking bookings from the app, appointing experienced and well-trained drivers, using its own EVs and incorporating the existing charging infrastructure. Even though this entire process has just begun, the first reviews are starting to come in. Let us delve deep into the details of what the first rider thought about the entire experience.
My First Ride in VinFast Green SM EV Taxi: A Customer’s Perspective
India’s urban mobility landscape is changing rapidly. After app-based cab aggregators and the rise of electric mobility, VinFast-backed Green SM has entered the conversation with its all-electric taxi service. Naturally, many commuters are curious. Can it become a viable alternative to conventional cabs? More importantly, what is the actual customer experience like?
To answer that question, I recently came across a first-hand rider experience from one of the early users of the Green SM EV taxi service. Instead of focusing on specifications or company claims, this article looks at what an actual passenger noticed during a real-world city commute. The feedback is interesting because it highlights both strengths and shortcomings, offering a balanced perspective on what Green SM currently brings to the table.
First Impressions: A Positive Start
The rider’s initial reaction was largely positive. The first thing that stood out was the overall cleanliness of the vehicle. Unlike many commercial taxis that start showing signs of wear after extended fleet usage, the Green SM cab felt fresh and well-maintained. The cabin appeared clean, organized and free from unpleasant odours, immediately creating a positive impression.
Another aspect that grabbed attention was the silence. Electric vehicles have a clear advantage over conventional petrol and diesel-powered taxis when it comes to noise levels. During the ride, the cabin remained impressively quiet, allowing passengers to have conversations without raising their voices. The absence of engine vibrations also contributed to a more refined experience.
For city commuters who spend considerable time stuck in traffic, such improvements can make a noticeable difference in daily travel comfort. The futuristic styling of the vehicle was another talking point. According to the rider, the taxi attracted curious glances from other road users and pedestrians. Whether parked at a signal or moving through traffic, the design helped it stand out from the sea of conventional cabs currently operating on Indian roads.
Ride Quality Feels Suitable for Urban Use
One area where electric vehicles generally perform well is low-speed urban driving. The Green SM taxi appears to continue that trend. The rider found the overall ride quality to be comfortable enough for daily commuting duties. The EV powertrain delivered smooth acceleration without the sudden gear changes typically associated with conventional automatic transmissions.
In stop-and-go city traffic, this smoothness can enhance passenger comfort. The suspension setup also appeared to handle regular urban road conditions reasonably well. While it did not feel exceptionally plush, it provided a comfortable enough experience for routine city journeys. For most passengers booking a cab for office commutes, airport transfers or local travel, the ride quality is unlikely to be a major concern.
The Biggest Complaint: Rear Seat Underthigh Support
While the overall experience was positive, one issue stood out almost immediately. The rider felt that the middle-row seating lacked adequate underthigh support. This became noticeable during the journey, especially after spending some time in the rear seat. Good underthigh support plays a critical role in passenger comfort. When the seat base is too short or positioned in a way that does not adequately support the legs, occupants may need to constantly adjust their posture.
That is exactly what happened during this ride. The passenger reportedly had to alter his seating position multiple times to remain comfortable. While this may not be a deal-breaker during short intra-city trips, it could become more noticeable on longer journeys. Interestingly, this observation is not uncommon among compact electric vehicles where packaging constraints often influence rear-seat design.
Another Irritation: Frequent Dashcam Alerts
Apart from seating comfort, another issue caught the rider’s attention. The taxi’s dashcam emitted frequent audible beeps during the journey. Safety and monitoring systems are becoming increasingly common in modern fleet vehicles. However, the implementation is equally important. If warning sounds or notifications occur too frequently, they can become distracting for both drivers and passengers.
In this particular case, the rider felt that the repeated beeping reduced the otherwise peaceful atmosphere created by the silent electric powertrain. Given how quiet EV cabins are, even relatively minor sounds can become more noticeable than they would be in a conventional vehicle. This is one area where software calibration or alert management could potentially improve the overall passenger experience.
What the Rider Liked
Here are the key positives that the rider reported about the EV:
- Extremely quiet cabin environment
- Clean and well-maintained vehicle
- Smooth EV driving experience
- Decent ride comfort for everyday commuting
- Zero tailpipe emissions and environmentally friendly mobility
- The combination of these factors helped create a generally positive first impression of the Green SM service.
What Needs Improvement
These are some areas that could be better
- Rear-seat thigh support needs improvement
- Passengers may need to adjust seating position frequently
- Dashcam warning sounds can become distracting
While none of these issues appears severe enough to overshadow the overall experience, they are certainly areas worth addressing as the service expands.
Editor’s Note
Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
As electric mobility gains momentum in India, services like VinFast Green SM are giving commuters a glimpse of what the future of urban transportation could look like. While manufacturers often talk about range, technology and sustainability, the real test lies in the passenger experience. This first-hand ride experience highlights both the strengths and shortcomings of the new EV taxi service. From the impressively silent cabin and clean interior to concerns regarding rear-seat comfort and frequent dashcam alerts, the feedback offers a balanced look at what everyday users can expect. As Green SM expands its footprint, customer opinions like these will play a key role in shaping the service and improving the overall ownership and ride experience.
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