KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Local taxi company Big Blue Taxi Facilities is expected to use the first batch of 100 electric-powered taxis beginning this July or August, says its founder and adviser Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail.

He said the electric vehicles were supposed to be launched in May but the time frame had to be extended to comply with several processes before approval by the relevant authority.

"There are several technical factors such as obtaining Vehicle Type Approval (VTA), therefore we have to coordinate between taxi creators, manufacturers and the government and this takes time.

"We are also in the process of signing a contract with local companies on the installation process of the electric powered-cabs, and if it is successful, we are expecting our first production of 5,000 units,” he told reporters after attending a breaking-of-fast with Big Blue taxi drivers here Sunday (May 26).

At the event, Shamsubahrin also introduced Big Blue Taxi’s self-service counter system to help passengers book the taxi service.

The counters would be located at public places including hotels, tourists areas, and KL International Airport (KLIA).

Meanwhile, Shamsubahrin said former Peugeot Citroen India director Shashikant Vaidyanathan will replace him as Big Blue’s chief executive officer, effective June 1, he said, but he added he would still remain an advisor to the company. - Bernama