NEW DELHI: Vietnamese electric mobility company Green SM on Friday launched its all-electric taxi service in Delhi-NCR, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding ride-hailing market. The company said it plans to gradually expand its operations to other major cities.Green SM, backed by Vietnam’s Vingroup, is positioning itself in the premium segment of the market rather than competing directly in the mass ride-hailing space.“When you look at the entire gamut of how the mobility ecosystem is built in India, we could see that in a city like Delhi-NCR, there is always space for a niche segment, a premium segment. So, we have identified that gap,” said Green SM India CEO Bach Tuan Anh on the sidelines of the launch event.India becomes the company’s fifth overseas market after Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines.The service will operate an all-electric fleet equipped with safety features such as interior and exterior cameras, AI-enabled monitoring systems and emergency support buttons for both drivers and passengers.Customers can book rides through the Green SM mobile app, a dedicated hotline or by directly hailing vehicles in operational areas.While the company did not disclose the size of its fleet, Anh said enough vehicles have been deployed to meet initial demand in Delhi and Gurugram. Additional vehicles are expected to be added later this year depending on customer response and demand.Green SM’s strategic partner, VinFast, supplies the vehicles used by the service. The company currently operates the VinFast Limo Green, a seven-seater electric SUV developed specifically for passenger transport services.Responding to a query about introducing more vehicle models, Anh said, “The company would first study demand, customer insights and customer behaviour during the initial phase before making a decision on introducing additional models.”To support operations, the company has partnered with VGreen, which is building charging infrastructure across India.“VGreen has also tied up with other infrastructure providers to expand the charging network, making it easier for drivers to access charging facilities,” he said.According to the company, the existing charging network is adequate for its current fleet and driver requirements.On future expansion, Anh said the immediate focus is on establishing a strong presence in Delhi and Gurugram before entering other metropolitan markets.“Expansion to other metro cities would be considered only after the initial phase is successfully scaled up and operational benchmarks are achieved,” he said, adding, “We need to master our core business in Delhi first.”The company plans to serve both individual and corporate customers through direct services and business partnerships.Company officials said airport trips are expected to account for around one-third of total rides, while corporate clients could contribute 18-20 per cent. The remaining demand is projected to come from individual customers.“33 per cent (airport), 20 per cent (corporate) and 47 per cent of B2C customers. It’s an optimal mix and optimal spread across a diversified city like Delhi itself. It’s so big,” said a company official.Green SM said its drivers receive training in electric vehicle operations, road safety and customer service standards.Regarding driver compensation, Anh said drivers would receive a guaranteed income during the first two months of operations.“Thereafter, earnings will be linked to a revenue-sharing model and incentive programmes, with incentives varying across different stages of operations,” he said.