Teksi Ride, the South African e-hailing platform, announced on May 30 that it will shortly deploy an electric vehicle (EV) service known as Comfort Plus. This new offering aims to provide riders with greener transport choices while empowering drivers through an innovative rent-to-own EV program.
Comfort Plus makes sustainable EVs affordable for every driver
Teksi Ride has experienced swift expansion since its inception in 2023, with a 120 per cent year-over-year increase in active users, particularly in underserved South African regions.
The company’s co-founder, Prince Pirikisi, explained that Comfort Plus will allow qualifying drivers to rent electric vehicles with an all-inclusive maintenance plan, making EVs more accessible and affordable.
Payments can be made weekly with integrated payment solutions and ownership transfers after a fixed term, contingent on driver performance and compliance.
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Pirikisi emphasized the strategy behind this move: “Our EV strategy focuses on affordability, sustainability, and driver empowerment. It aligns with the shift towards cleaner energy and allows us to grow responsibly while reducing operational costs for drivers and offering greener transport options to consumers.”
He added that electric vehicles have lower running and maintenance costs, making them more profitable for drivers than traditional combustion vehicles.
Expanding reach and collaborations to support EV rollout
Teksi Ride’s EV service will launch in select cities in the third quarter of 2025, expanding the company’s existing presence in Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape provinces.
The platform integrates metered taxi operators alongside ordinary drivers to foster a cooperative environment within the industry. All drivers must be registered with the South African National Taxi Council and hold valid driving permits.
To ensure Comfort Plus’s success, Teksi Ride has partnered with trusted EV suppliers and infrastructure providers to support vehicle servicing and charging needs. This collaboration aims to create a reliable and efficient EV fleet for urban mobility and e-hailing services.
This move by Teksi Ride reflects a growing trend in the global transport sector toward electrification and sustainability.
While Tesla plans to launch its autonomous robotaxi service in Austin by June 2025, Teksi Ride’s approach focuses on driver empowerment and affordability within South Africa’s unique market dynamics.
By offering compact, durable electric vehicles suitable for ride-hailing, Teksi Ride is positioning itself as a pioneer in green urban transport in the region.