BluSmart, an electric taxi service provider, announced that it had begun operations in Bengaluru after previously being Delhi NCR-focused. This announcement comes months after BluSmart raised $25 million from British oil company bp ventures.
The entry of the EV cab driver into the city occurs at a time when Ola, Uber, and other cab companies have enjoyed a strong duopoly. However, customers have raised concerns about a variety of issues, including how surge pricing was calculated. The competition commission of India (CCI), recently directed cab aggregators, among others, to develop clear and transparent policies on surge pricing and provide detailed breakdowns of fares.
BluSmart guarantees zero cancellations, on-time rides, and no surcharge. BluSmart claims that it can reach 97% of its trips before or on time and that its drivers don’t have cancel buttons.
Deepika Padukone’s EV taxi company didn’t disclose the number of EV cabs that it currently has in the city. It currently has 2,200 vehicles in its fleet and plans to add more than 5,000 cars by the end of 2022. The company hopes to have 30,000 electric cabs by 2023.
Tata Motors and BluSmart signed an agreement in June to deliver 10,000 XPRES T EVs. This was the largest EV fleet order in India so far. The fleet also includes EVs manufactured by MG Motors and owned by China’s BYD Company and Chinese automaker SAIC Motor Corp.
BluSmart hires drivers to operate its cars, which is different from Uber and Ola, where drivers own the cars.
“BluSmart is committed to increasing its robust, competitive presence throughout megacities in the country, and Bengaluru is the perfect fit. We are poised to offer the best customer experience for commuters in the city as we intend to clear any hassles that arise from booking a cab to enjoying the ride and reaching the destination effortlessly. BluSmart is creating inclusive and equitable economic opportunities for driver partners who can drive and earn without the hassles of asset ownership,” said Anmol Singh Jaggi, CEO and co-founder, BluSmart.
According to the company’s website, India’s ride-hailing market will increase from $20 billion-$90 Billion by 2030 in megacities. Other players in this space include Uber and Ola as well as Myn and Meru.