Green SM debuts EV taxi service in Surabaya, offering discounts

Green SM, an all-EV taxi service, has launched operations in Surabaya, Indonesia, on October 14.

The company, which began in Jakarta in December 2024, uses VinFast EVs and allows bookings through its app.

Green SM previously expanded to Makassar and Bekasi earlier this month.

To mark its debut, Green SM is offering a 100% discount of up to 50,000 rupiah (US$3.01) for one ride per user between October 14–16, a 50% discount of up to US$3.01 between October 17–20, and a 35% discount of up to US$3.01 from October 21–27.

Green SM says all drivers have completed professional training focused on safety, service, and eco-friendly driving.

Surabaya, with over 3.8 million registered vehicles in 2024, faces high levels of congestion and air pollution.

Green SM positions its service as a cleaner mobility option for the city.

Green SM is operated by GSM, a company founded in Vietnam that runs all-EV ride-hailing services across Southeast Asia.

🔗 Source: Green SM

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Surabaya’s fleet and charging gap reveals whether this rapid expansion is sustainable

Green SM launched in Surabaya without basic operational info, which leaves scale beyond the promo window in doubt.
Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) runs 339 Stasiun Pengisian Kendaraan Listrik Umum (SPKLU) units at 206 points in East Java, with 105 more planned for 2025 1.
Indonesia has an EV to charger ratio of 21:1, above the 17:1 benchmark, so city clusters could strain local grids 2.
The company expanded to Makassar, Bekasi, and Surabaya in a month, yet it has not shared vehicle counts or charging and maintenance depot sites. Service quality and driver supply remain unproven.

Predictable EV demand at Surabaya airports and transit hubs opens charging infrastructure opportunities

Expect vehicles to cluster at the airport, business districts, plus transit corridors. That creates steady demand for direct current fast charging that operators and property owners can serve.
PLN with Velasto, a local charging hardware partner, is rolling out pole mounted SPKLU units across West Sumatra plus West Java 3. Twenty are live as of early September 2025, with 122 sites targeted.
Charging in East Java reached 585,023 kWh by April 2025, nearly 5x year over year 1. Energy management software providers and EPC contractors have clear targets. EPC stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction. Focus on malls, condos, and highways.
Investors should watch PLN’s six new partnerships that cover land use and installation 4. These will shape site access and competition for private operators in Surabaya.