Green SM, a Vietnamese-born all-electric taxi service, has officially launched in Los Angeles, marking its first entry into North America and expanding its global footprint to nine markets. The move matters because it introduces a zero-tailpipe-emission mobility option in a city where drivers spend an average of roughly 87 hours each year in rush-hour traffic, according to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. That figure, slightly below the 88 hours recorded the previous year, still represents more than three full days lost annually—time that Green SM argues can be reclaimed as a more positive start to the day.
The company’s pitch rests on a growing body of evidence that electric vehicles can improve the in-vehicle experience. J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which surveyed 78,514 new-vehicle owners during their first 90 days across 37 attributes, found that EVs outperformed internal combustion engine vehicles in nearly every category. The largest gap appeared in the powertrain category, where EVs scored 109 points higher on a 1,000-point scale, as detailed in an InsideEVs report on the J.D. Power survey. Separately, a 2018 University of York study in the United Kingdom reported that drivers who switched from diesel to electric vehicles experienced improved concentration, greater calmness and a stronger sense of happiness, findings highlighted by Electrive’s coverage of the University of York study.
Green SM is using those insights to position its service around the message “Start Strong. Arrive Ready.” Its Los Angeles fleet features the VinFast VF 8, a D-segment electric SUV with a spacious interior, clean cabin and smooth, quiet performance. The company says passengers can use the journey to finish emails, review meeting talking points or simply relax before the workday begins. The service also emphasizes driver quality, with Green Driver partners selected and trained for professionalism and courtesy, and an app that provides information about drivers, vehicles and routes along with clearly displayed fares and promotions.
The launch carries implications beyond passenger comfort. Green SM says it will progressively strengthen local operations and recruit and train drivers from the community, creating employment opportunities while contributing to the transition toward greener transportation in Los Angeles and the surrounding region. The company builds its service around five promises—Good Cars, Good Drivers, Good Price, Good Experience and Good for the Environment—reflected in its all-electric fleet, transparent fares and zero tailpipe emissions.
To celebrate its arrival, Green SM is offering new users 50% off fares, up to $12 per ride, on their first five trips, along with a free Green Pass membership that provides 10 discount codes each month, each offering 30% off a fare up to $10. Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM has completed approximately 850 million trips covering nearly 6 billion kilometers and says it has helped reduce more than 800,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by roughly 36 million trees. Its entry into the U.S. market signals a broader push to bring all-electric mobility to major cities worldwide, with the company pledging continued investment in fleet, technology, people and service quality for a long-term presence.
