Green SM doubles Sumatra presence

Electric taxi operator Green SM has expanded its operations in Indonesia with the launch of its service in Palembang, the second city in Sumatra to welcome the company after Bandar Lampung.

The service officially began on 12 September 2026, giving residents another transport option as the company continues to expand its electric taxi network across Indonesia.

Palembang joins Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, Bali and Bandar Lampung, where Green SM has already established operations.

With more than 1.8 million residents, Palembang is one of Sumatra’s major commercial centers. Its trade and service industries have contributed to a growing demand for transportation as the city continues to develop.

Green SM operates an entirely electric taxi fleet, which produces no tailpipe emissions during trips. The company also places importance on professional drivers, transparent fares and consistent service standards.

Its arrival in Palembang comes as local authorities continue to pursue programs that support cleaner urban transport and environmental protection.

Alongside the launch, Green SM introduced its “Green Your Move, Refresh Your City” campaign, which supports environmental initiatives under Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH).

The campaign follows the government’s “Ecosystem & Air Protection” theme and encourages residents to consider transport options that produce fewer emissions.

Green SM hopes that greater use of electric taxis will help improve air quality, particularly in busy urban areas where road transportation contributes to pollution.

Pham Nhat Minh Hoang, Global chief executive officer of Green SM, welcomed the expansion and expressed confidence that the company could become a regular transport choice among Palembang residents.

He said the company intends to maintain its service standards while encouraging more Indonesians to consider electric transportation.

Hoang also emphasized the environmental benefits of the service, particularly its potential contribution to cleaner air and the protection of local ecosystems.

To introduce the service to residents, Green SM rolled out several fare discounts during its first weeks of operation.

Passengers received a 100-percent discount capped at Rp50,000 from 12 to 16 September. This was followed by a 50-percent discount, also capped at Rp50,000, from 17 to 25 September.

A third promotional period offered a 35-percent discount with the same maximum amount from 26 September to 2 October. All three introductory promotions have since ended.

Apart from passenger transportation, Green SM plans to support local employment through its operations. The company also intends to develop local talent and work with stakeholders as it establishes a larger presence in Indonesia.

The Palembang expansion follows similar introductions of its electric taxi service in other Indonesian cities, where the company has sought to attract passengers who want an alternative to conventional taxis.

Green SM also reported figures from its wider international operations. According to the company, its electric vehicles have completed approximately 850 million trips and covered nearly six billion kilometers.

It estimates that these journeys have helped avoid more than 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, an amount it compares with the carbon absorption capacity of approximately 36 million trees.

The figures cover Green SM’s global operations rather than its Indonesian fleet alone.