Quiet Rides, Big Shift

In Metro Manila, more commuters are getting their first EV experience inside blue-and-green taxis run by Green GSM using VinFast cars. The rides are calm, the cabins are quiet, and the idea of electric mobility suddenly feels normal, not distant.

Drivers say the switch is paying off. One former gasoline taxi driver now with Green GSM said he feels less tired, spends less on running costs, and brings home more. Questions from riders have become routine: How far can it go? How long to charge? By the end of a short trip, doubts tend to soften.

The street rollout pairs with a behind-the-scenes buildout. VinFast’s approach centers on an ecosystem that makes EV use practical day to day. The brand is working with charging developer V-Green toward thousands of ports, while steadily adding dealerships and trained service teams. When chargers are easy to find and technicians are ready, range anxiety and repair worries fade. Financing tie-ups with local banks help ownership look realistic.

Visible chargers in malls, offices, and along highways send a message of permanence. Each site supports the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and creates work for electricians, engineers, and software specialists. Progress shows up one charger, one trained driver, and one quiet ride at a time.

Other cities followed a similar path by electrifying public fleets first. Manila is now seeing that effect. Familiarity leads to acceptance. The city’s soundscape is slowly changing as engine noise gives way to something gentler.