Why Bengaluru commuters are switching to electric taxi services

Frustrated by frequent cancellations from traditional taxi services, many in the city are now turning to electric vehicle (EV) taxi companies like BluSmart, Quick Ride, Envi, and Shoffr. | Photo credit: REUTERS

“I’m fed up with last minute cancellations every time I book a cab after work around 6 pm So it’s almost impossible to depend on Ola or Uber,” says Shruthi P. Kumar, a tech professional in Bellandur, Bengaluru. “Since I switched to the EV taxi service, the difference is like night and day – no more cancellations, even though the price is higher than a regular fuel taxi, and I feel at peace knowing that my ride will be seen at least,” he added.

This sentiment is increasingly common among Bengaluru cab commuters. Frustrated by frequent cancellations from traditional taxi services, many in the city are now turning to electric vehicle (EV) taxi companies like BluSmart, Quick Ride, Envi, and Shoffr. This electric taxi service, although slightly more expensive and often requiring pre-booking, offers what is its main selling point: reliability, as users and taxi drivers say. The Hindu.

For many, the convenience of booking a ride and not having to worry about last-minute cancellations outweighs the higher cost of electric taxis.

“I have five traditional app-based taxi drivers canceling me back and forth when I need a flight,” said Mohammed Ashfaq, a frequent flyer, from Jayanagar. “Now I just book Blusmart for airport travel. It’s more expensive, but I know they won’t cancel.

Do EV taxis rarely cancel

According to EV taxi drivers, the main reason electric taxi services have lower cancellation rates is their operational model. “Unlike Ola and Uber, where drivers usually own a car and have to deal with high maintenance costs and debt payments, electric taxi companies often own a fleet. This removes the financial burden from drivers, allowing them to focus only on driving without worrying about ownership costs vehicle,” said Pream Sai, an EV taxi driver from JP Nagar.

Anil Kumar, a BluSmart driver, explained: “We don’t have a car, so there is no financial burden. I no longer have to worry about loan payments or maintenance. I just focus on driving and asking for payment for each ride, plus tips from passengers. The setup that much better than when I rented a car and had to deal with the constant issues.

Electric taxi services have gained special traction among Bengaluru’s tech workforce, airport travelers and their families going to events.

“I used to be very stressed when the driver canceled the ride just because he didn’t like the destination or the traffic. With the EV taxi, I can pre-book a ride, and I’ve had a driver cancel on me. The peace of mind is worth the extra money. However, there are downsides – not many EV taxis are available, so pre-booking is a must, often 30 minutes in advance. This can be inconvenient for those who need a ride,” said Jagadish R., a resident of Jayanagar.

“If we have to attend a family event like a wedding, my family now prefers to order an EV taxi in advance, and it’s always on time,” he said.

Switching to electric taxis is not just about reliability. Many commuters in Bengaluru are also drawn to the eco-friendly aspect of the service. Anisha D’Souza, a software engineer from Kalyan Nagar, said, “I started using EV taxis because I want to contribute to reducing emissions. It feels good to know that every time I choose an EV, I make a small difference. With electric vehicles , the service helps reduce the number of petrol and diesel vehicles on the road, contributing to cleaner air in the city.

Challenges for EV taxis

Despite its growing popularity, electric taxi services are not without their challenges. The biggest obstacle is the lack of vehicles. As demand increases, many passengers report difficulties in securing bookings, especially during peak hours.

Although there was no response from the company, Mahesh TK, an EV taxi driver, said, “The demand for electric taxis is increasing, but we don’t have enough cars to meet them. During peak hours, there are more orders than available cars. We often have to turn down requests, which is frustrating for us and our passengers. It’s clear that people want a reliable and environmentally friendly option, but the size of the fleet isn’t there yet.