Sri Lanka‘s first electric taxi service ‘E-drive’ launched

President of the David Pieris Group David Pieris along with Group Chairman and Managing Director Rohana Dissanayake preparing to go the first hire in E-drive at the launch 

E-drive electric three-wheeler fleet - Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Turning a new page in passenger transport, David Pieris Motor Company (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka’s largest automotive company, yesterday launched E-drive, a model electric three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) taxi service for public transportation for the first time in Sri Lanka.
E drive which the company is introducing as a model project not only provides a cheaper means of transport for the public but also ensures safety and better experience for passengers – with a reduction of noise, and a smoother ride due to reduced vibrations.
E-drive will charge a flat rate of Rs. 65 per kilometre with no added peak hour charges. A total of 20 Bajaj three-wheelers have been converted to electric under the pilot project.
These three-wheelers will initially operate in Colombo and its immediate suburbs. The vehicles can easily be identified due to their white and green branding and the service will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
They can be hailed down on the road, booked via the YOGO taxi-hailing mobile app and through a dedicated hotline 077 7 606077. 
With the objective to produce a well-disciplined, professional taxi driver force in the country, the drivers of the E-drive taxi service have been trained not only on how to drive this vehicle but have also received refresher training in road rules and road etiquette. 
In addition, all vehicles are monitored centrally by the Company. The drivers will be wearing an E-Drive uniform, and their details will be displayed in the vehicle for the customer’s information along with a telephone number to call for any issues or driver feedback.

Commenting on E-Dive, Jayantha Ratnayake, Executive Director, David Pieris Holdings (Private) Limited and David Pieris Automotive Cluster said, “We are proud to be the first company to obtain approval to register our converted Bajaj Three-wheelers. 
We want to not only use this platform to allow the public to use this greener, cheaper means of transport but also to ensure passengers get a safer ride with disciplined, trained drivers which we hope will set new standards for three-wheeler taxi services.” “As the experts of Bajaj vehicles in Sri Lanka, we can confidently guarantee the electric conversion done by the DPMC, Only the correct conversions can ensure safety and comfort for the passenger travelling in the vehicle,” he stressed.