Illustration: AI
Green SM, a taxi service with an all-electric fleet, has been operating in Almaty since June 2026. The company is currently focused on keeping the service running reliably and is in no rush to expand to other cities in Kazakhstan. Expansion depends on passenger demand, access to charging and vehicle maintenance (digitalbusiness.kz).
What happened
Green SM chose Almaty for its entry into the Central Asian market. The company says heavy traffic and strong demand for taxis make the city a good testing ground for its operations in a major urban setting.
The service uses a single fleet. The cars belong to an operator affiliated with the company, while drivers rent them and sign a separate agreement with the platform.
At launch, the fleet consisted of VinFast VF 6 vehicles — five-seat electric crossovers. The company says using one model makes maintenance and monitoring vehicle condition easier. This is particularly important in Kazakhstan because of freezing temperatures, snow and icy roads.
What this means
For passengers, booking through the app and taking a ride remain familiar experiences. The main difference is the car: its electric motor runs without conventional gear changes, and it is usually quieter than cars with combustion engines.
Drivers receive training before starting work and support from the company. This setup allows the company to set common standards for vehicle condition and how drivers interact with passengers. It also gives residents a chance to try an electric vehicle on everyday journeys without buying their own car.
What expansion to other cities depends on
Preparations for launch included assembling the fleet, recruiting staff, training drivers and setting up customer support. Green SM now intends to get the service running reliably before expanding to more locations.
“We are not looking to spend money just to capture market share quickly,” the company said. It links further growth to customer trust and proven service quality.
Demand alone is not enough for expansion: accessible charging stations, maintenance and efficient day-to-day vehicle operations are also needed. These are the conditions the company considers when assessing new cities.
Green SM is considering Astana, corporate transport and transfer services as possible areas for expansion. Decisions will depend on demand, fleet performance and infrastructure readiness. For now, the company is focused on Almaty, where it is testing how its chosen model works on everyday city journeys.
