A participant at the ceremony takes a test drive in an EV taxi. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: LOCA Co Ltd, one of the leading taxi service providers in Laos, has launched its newest electric vehicle (EV) taxi service, “LOCA Mini”, to offer alternative choices to customers through an online platform.
Through this new service launched on Wednesday (Aug 28), LOCA Co Ltd aims to contribute to the preservation of the environment and support the government’s policies for a green and sustainable economy.
The event marking the launch of the service was attended by the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of LOCA, Phonepasong Mixab, along with government officials and representatives of the business sector and international organisations.
Speaking at the ceremony, LOCA’s CEO and Co-Founder, Souliyo Vongdara, said the new mini EV taxi service on an online platform is suitable for people looking for a taxi that can carry two to three passengers with air conditioning, while preventing water and air pollution.
He said these mini taxis are 100 percent electric vehicles equipped with air bags, safety belts, cameras, and a sensor system for necessary alerts.
"This will contribute to the trust of customers to go around the city more conveniently and much faster.
"Most importantly, safety and satisfaction are priorities in our services for customers, and the insurance coverage is 500 million kip for each ride," he said
The LOCA mini taxis will use the company’s own charging stations.
Souliyo said the fees for this taxi service will be more economical and it will contribute to reducing air pollution and promoting the use of green energy produced in Laos.
The mini taxi service will be offered only through an online platform and customers can download the application for it from Apple AppStore or Android PlayStore, install it and search for LOCA Laos.
Passengers will pay 29,500 kip per ride when they travel up to 3 km, and an additional fee of 7,000 kip per km will be charged if the journey exceeds 3 km.
The mini taxis were displayed at the launch ceremony and participants and representatives of Lao mainstream media outlets joined trial rides.
The mini EV taxis are decorated with patterns designed by young artists that depict a combination of modern technology and traditional arts of Laos.
Since the launch of the LOCA application in 2018, the company has been gradually recognised by customers as the initial online taxi application in Laos.
The company is also seen as a pioneer in EVs and in providing charging stations in Laos.
More than 30 charging stations have been set up by the company across Laos, including 17 in the national capital of Vientiane.
The company plans to set up more charging stations.
So far, LOCA has registered more than 300,000 passengers since 2018, more than 60 percent of them foreigners and the rest Lao nationals.
More than 1,000 drivers are registered with the company.
“More than 600 people are EV taxi drivers and there are 200 women drivers, or 20 percent of the total number engaged in this service industry. Our office workers number more than 40,” Souliyo said.
He said LOCA prioritises sustainability and focuses on three main principles – generating employment, contributing to efforts to have a sustainable city, and countering climate change.
“Significantly, we have contributed to creating over 1,000 jobs, enabling the country to reduce the import of more than 1.5 million litres of fuel, and lessening air pollution through our EV taxi service over the past six years,” he said.
LOCA now has plans to transform its entire fleet into EVs in the near future, and the company is currently gearing up to set up more charging stations in Vientiane and 17 provinces.
By 2023, it hopes that a total of 200 charging stations will be installed across Laos, according to the company.
LOCA also has Laos’s largest EV fleet, and the only licensed Laos-based ride-sharing service, which offers convenient, sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport options.
It also focuses on transparent pricing, a strict driver selection process, and a 24/7 customer service that ensures safety, fair income for drivers, and a seamless experience for customers, all while reducing carbon emissions. - Vientiane Times/ANN
