Cooperative Model: Bharat Taxi Set To Tap Into Gig Economy By Seizing EV Moment

The cooperative ride-hailing platform will introduce EVs in the next three months; a specialised fleet for women E2W users is also being planned, Vivek Pandey, COO, Bharat Taxi, tells The Secretariat

Jan 15, 2026 · 4 min read

Bharat Taxi, Vivek Pandey, EVs, ride-hailing platforms, E2W, electric vehicles, Uber, Rapido, Ola

Bharat Taxi, one of the first cooperative ride-hailing platforms in the world, is set to go green by betting big on electric vehicles (EVs), in a bid to tackle pollution. The recently launched service strives to take on ride-hailing giants such as Uber and Ola with its own unique selling proposition. It is with going big on electric vehicles to tackle the growing menace of pollution.

"We will be introducing EVs in the next three months. We are in discussion with EV fleet providers, for a few thousand EV vehicles to start with," Vivek Pandey, COO, Bharat Taxi, told The Secretariat.

We are already in discussion with EV fleet providers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and the plan is to soon make EVs available to customers on the app. We are also working with banks to facilitate cheaper loans to customers interested in buying EVs. We have people in our team who have worked extensively with EV fleet operations, and are aware of the nuances of operating EVs

Vivek Pandey, COO, Bharat Taxi

A specialised fleet for women E2W users is also being planned; it will take a month or so to materialise, Pandey further said.

The cooperative ride-hailing platform is promoted by a consortium of cooperatives, including AMUL, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, and NABARD, among others, and supported by the Ministry of Cooperation. It aims to strengthen the "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" plank, a focus area for the Narendra Modi government.

Drivers As Shareholders

Amid the recent controversies over the working conditions and social benefits of gig workers, Bharat Taxi is pitching its drivers as shareholders and cooperative members, who can claim a share of the profits.

Besides India, the US, too, has a cooperative cab-hailing service. However, the scale at which Bharat Taxi operates is significantly larger.

Cooperative Values In A New Sector

In India, the cooperative sector has been a success story, spanning across a host of sectors, including dairy, agriculture, housing, and credit, among others. Amid rising economic challenges and geopolitical risks, the government is betting big on the cooperative movement to herald inclusive growth, boost employment, and enhance livelihood opportunities.

There are about three million cooperatives worldwide, connecting over 12% of the population. The 300 largest cooperatives have generated a turnover of $2,409.41 billion. The cooperatives employ about 10% of the world’s population.

A Success Story In The Making?

Ever since its launch just a few days ago, over six lakh customers and 2.5 lakh drivers have registered on the Bharat Taxi platform. This number could further increase, translating into more jobs for people at the grassroots level.

Government sources stated that the success of Bharat Taxi in the mobility space is expected to revolutionise the sector. Intending to empower small producers and local communities, cooperatives in India have traditionally thrived in sectors such as agriculture, dairy, and rural banking.

The cab-hailing app is the first big initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Cooperation. Several other similar initiatives are likely to be introduced in due course. "The idea is to ensure that the benefits of economic growth touch every corner of the country,” a senior official said, pointing out that India’s cooperative movements have shaped several key sectors, including banking, agriculture, and housing.

Expansion Strategy

The proposed cab-hailing service is being touted as a turning point for India's cooperative sector. Guided by cooperative principles, it aims to offer a blueprint for how "worker-owned platforms" can deliver both economic yields to drivers and better services to customers.

Bharat Taxi plans to expand across the country over the next three or four years. "After Delhi and Gujarat, we plan to expand our services to Maharashtra," Pandey said.

Labour rights, fair pay, and alternative ownership models in the digital economy will be the cornerstone of providing a democratic and transparent alternative to traditional ride-hailing platforms.

National Cooperation Policy, 2025

Earlier last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who also heads the Ministry of Cooperation, unveiled the National Cooperation Policy – 2025.

India’s app-based cab services form a crucial part of the gig economy, offering livelihoods to thousands across cities. The sector is expected to offer new avenues to the gig economy workers in the nation.

The sector offers flexible employment opportunities, with estimates suggesting that it could generate 5.4 million livelihoods by 2030, contributing to the gig economy and overall economic activity.