Electric Cars

Revolutionizing Urban Mobility: Green SM's Electric Vision for Los Angeles

Green SM's Distinctive Approach to Ride-Hailing in Los Angeles

On October 13, Green SM inaugurated its Los Angeles service with a substantial fleet of 500 VinFast VF 8 electric vehicles. Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms that rely on independent contractors and their personal cars, Green SM distinguishes itself by owning its entire vehicle fleet and employing full-time drivers. This model aims to offer a more consistent and higher-quality service.

The 500-Strong VinFast VF 8 Fleet in the City of Angels

Green SM's inaugural fleet in Los Angeles consists exclusively of 500 VinFast VF 8 electric SUVs. These five-seater vehicles are central to the company's commitment to zero tailpipe emissions. The company's operations extend across Los Angeles County and into Orange County, marking its first foray into the US market after successful expansions across Asia and Europe since its 2023 launch in Vietnam. Globally, Green SM has facilitated approximately 850 million rides.

Accessing Green SM Services and Fare Structure

Customers can book a Green SM vehicle via the dedicated mobile application, by calling the company's hotline, or by hailing a car directly on the street. The pricing model is dynamic, adjusting based on time and distance, with initial reports suggesting fares are comparable to Uber Comfort rates. Green SM also plans to offer airport transportation services, though specific details regarding permits and operational timelines for Los Angeles International Airport are yet to be announced.

Prioritizing Driver Employment and Service Quality

A cornerstone of Green SM's strategy is its employment of all 500 drivers as full-time staff. Each driver undergoes a rigorous selection, training, and onboarding process, ensuring a standardized and professional service experience. This contrasts sharply with the gig-economy model, where drivers manage their own vehicles and schedules.

Commitment to Driver Welfare and Customer Trust

Green SM provides its drivers with company-owned vehicles, comprehensive maintenance, and professional training. This approach ensures drivers operate on predictable schedules with employer-backed benefits, a significant departure from the variable income often associated with gig work. Hoang Thanh Hang, Green SM's US chief executive, emphasized that this model is not merely a fleet upgrade but a strategic effort to build trust with customers, drivers, and local communities through consistent quality and intentional customer interactions.

Promotional Offers and the Competitive Landscape of Electric Ride-Hailing

To attract new users, Green SM is offering initial promotions, including a 50 percent discount (up to $12) on the first five rides and a Green Pass membership providing 10 monthly vouchers for 30 percent off (up to $10 per ride). The company plans to continuously expand its Los Angeles team as demand grows. This launch occurs in an increasingly competitive market, with the expansion of robotaxi services like Waymo One and Uber's ongoing electrification initiatives highlighting the dynamic evolution of electric ride-hailing in Southern Californi

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, recently made bold claims about the forthcoming Roadster, stating it would possess a form of "sentience" allowing it to execute intricate stunts autonomously. This assertion was made on October 17, following the vehicle's public debut at SpaceX's McGregor, Texas facility. Furthermore, Musk tantalized enthusiasts with the prospect of a dedicated, high-thrill track at Tesla's Texas headquarters, designed for owners to put their Roadsters through their paces.

The specific mechanisms enabling these autonomous capabilities and the timeline for the track's completion have not yet been disclosed by Tesla. However, Musk's pronouncements have ignited significant interest in the future possibilities of the high-performance electric car.

At its unveiling on October 15, the Roadster showcased a series of remarkable maneuvers. An unpiloted model ascended a steep incline using suction, traversed a surface inverted, executed an aerial flip, and utilized thrusters for a precise upright landing. Tesla revealed that these feats were accomplished through a system of ten nozzles and high-pressure air tanks. This advanced thruster setup, inspired by SpaceX's spacecraft attitude control, reportedly generates substantially more force than the vehicle's tires alone, enabling the car to vault over obstacles such as parked vehicles and a semi-truck.

Despite these impressive demonstrations, the practical implementation of a "sentient" mode that owners could activate at will remains an open question. Tesla has yet to elaborate on the self-driving technology required for the vehicle to independently identify ramps, calculate flight trajectories, and manage landing zones without human intervention.

The proposed looping track at Giga Texas, Tesla's Austin-area facility, is another intriguing but largely conceptual detail. Musk described it as a "wild looping track, crazier even than Hot Wheels," yet provided no specifics regarding its size, design, construction costs, or an estimated opening date. The Roadster itself faces a projected production timeline in the late 2020s, with some sources indicating 2028. The specialized "Rocket package" for the flying stunts is reportedly an invite-only option, suggesting it won't be universally available to all buyers.

The base model of the Roadster is still promoted as a top-tier performance vehicle, boasting an acceleration of zero to sixty miles per hour in approximately 1.9 seconds, a top speed around 250 mph, and an estimated range of 620 miles. These performance figures are distinct from any confirmed stunt package, and the current demonstrator car is not street-legal. Crucially, questions persist about track access—whether it will be open to all Roadster reservation holders or exclusively to Rocket package purchasers—and how Tesla intends to oversee autonomous stunt runs within a controlled environment, particularly concerning safety regulations and liability for any potential mishaps.

Elon Musk's vision for the Tesla Roadster extends beyond conventional automotive performance, promising a future where vehicles possess a degree of autonomy that allows them to perform complex stunts. While many aspects of this futuristic concept remain speculative, the introduction of a specialized stunt track at Giga Texas and the notion of a "sentient" car highlight Tesla's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation and driver experience.