An app cab start-up that launched commercial services in Kolkata and Salt Lake on Friday promises eco-friendly transport.
Snap-E cabs started operations with its fleet of 100 electric vehicles, which were displayed at a programme in New Town on Friday.
Snap-E is different from the likes of Uber and Ola, aggregators that do not own the cars.
“Over the next two years, Snap-E plans to operate a fleet of 5,000 electric vehicles providing cab services across... eastern India,” the company said.
The company has also launched two charging stations, in Salt Lake and New Town. As the fleet size goes up, more such charging stations will come up, said an official.
The PM2.5 level in Kolkata has consistently remained at least double the national safe limit and the global average over the past decade. Petrol and diesel-powered vehicles are a major source of air pollution.
Snap-E, the first such all-electric app cab service in Kolkata, wants to address that gap.
“As the initial pilot phase of the project, Snap-E plans to operate with a fleet of 700 electric cabs and set up 150 DC and 700 AC Charging Stations in and around Kolkata.
The total investment... is slated to be more than Rs 2,000 crore with employment for at least 15,000 persons,” the company said in a communication on Friday.
“Our app can be installed from Playstore and iOS. There is also a dedicated helpline, +91-9990901803, for phone bookings,” said Jaydip Mukherjee, co-founder of the company.
“Our system is built in such a way that drivers cannot cancel a ride. The rides will be monitored 24X7,” said Mukherjee. The company has also promised “zero surge pricing”.
“Other than providing executive class electric vehicles, we are also ensuring that our drivers are trained on courtesy and high levels of professionalism. With a zero surge pricing model, and flat rates between popular pick-up and dropoff locations, we can safely expect Snap-E to save at least 15-20 per cent on the commuters’ fare,” Mayank Bindal, co-founder and CEO, said at the launch.
Firhad Hakim, mayor of Kolkata and urban development minister, flagged off the first lot of electric cabs on Friday.