SMRT to progressively replace taxi fleet with electric vehicles within five years

TRANSPORT operator SMRT will bring in its first batch of 300 electric vehicles from July this year, as it aims to replace its entire taxi fleet with electric vehicles within the next five years.

The fleet of electric vehicles to be launched could include various models well suited to meet the demands of the transport market. These could include sedans, station wagons and multi-purpose vehicles, SMRT said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Going electric with taxis is part of SMRT's growth strategy in green businesses under Strides Mobility, its sustainable urban mobility services arm. This strategy includes developing sustainable mobility solutions and introducing mobility services using electric vehicles, including taxis, cars, vans, limousines, motorcycles and buses.

Said Tan Kian Heong, president of SMRT Road Holdings: "In line with Singapore's Green Plan, we are excited to be among the first point-to-point transport operators to commit to the deployment of electric taxis on a large scale. This is a key part of our plan to incorporate principles of sustainability into each of our businesses to bring sustainable urban mobility services to our customers."