Electric Vehicles from State Taxi Fleet to Be Sold to the Public

The government has revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) being introduced for a new state-run taxi service in Malé will also be made available for purchase by the general public, in a move aimed at encouraging wider adoption of clean transport across the country.

The electric taxi service, set to launch in August, forms part of efforts to address growing public concern over high taxi fares, poor service standards and a shortage of vehicles in the capital region. The service will operate through a digital platform modelled on ride-hailing systems such as Uber and Grab.

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As part of the project, a manufacturer has been contracted to supply the fleet of EVs. Under the agreement, the state-owned enterprise managing the service has also secured the right to distribute the same model of vehicles for public sale. This approach is expected to make electric cars more accessible to individuals and businesses across the Maldives.

The government has committed around USD 5.2 million to fund the initial phase of the project, which will be entirely government-financed. The company tasked with implementing the service has confirmed that a feasibility study was carried out to ensure the project would not adversely affect its financial position.

By allowing members of the public to purchase vehicles from the taxi fleet, the government aims to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable modes of transport and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, particularly in densely populated urban centres.