LEBANON– "Lira Taxi" is not just a regular taxi, it is a fully smart and sustainable transportation experience made in Lebanon.
The Lebanese engineer Hisham Hassami invented this solar-powered electric car to place Lebanon on the map of innovative future transportation while supporting the national economy.
Hassami told Enmaeya that he chose the name "Lira Taxi" to support the Lebanese pound and boost the economy, emphasizing that these industrial and developmental projects drive the economic wheel and help revive the national currency.
What Makes Lira Taxi Different
Lira Taxi combines advanced technology, comfort, safety, and sustainability, offering a fully integrated experience for passengers:
Interactive Passenger Experience: Equipped with free Wi-Fi, an Android screen showing the journey route via GPS, a smart meter for billing, and a QR Code displaying driver and vehicle information.
Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology: Features an instant translation device for over 80 languages to facilitate communication between passengers and the driver, and a DSM system to monitor driver behavior and prevent unsafe actions such as smoking or reckless driving.
Safety and Monitoring: Interior cameras record the full journey, and a driver alert system notifies if the seatbelt is not fastened or if the driver is tired.
Accessibility: Designed to allow easy entry and exit for passengers in wheelchairs through a special door.
Sustainability and Energy: Runs on solar power with panels installed on the roof and can also be charged from any home electrical outlet if sunlight is unavailable. The battery can charge in half an hour for a quick boost, or in nine hours for a full charge, covering a distance of up to 300 kilometers without the need for specialized charging stations.
Operation and Pricing
Hassami said that the project launch will take place in about a month, with media coverage and participation from relevant ministries.
He explained that the cars will be reserved for taxi drivers with "red plates" only, with each vehicle priced at $5,000. The fare system can be programmed according to ministry instructions, allowing, for example, a fixed per-kilometer rate to benefit passengers and improve taxi drivers’ livelihoods.
Adapting to Lebanon’s Reality
Hassami noted that the car is designed to adapt to Lebanon’s current infrastructure despite its challenges, emphasizing that the "Lira Taxi" project represents a national innovation with plans to expand its presence across different regions.
With this step, Lebanon becomes one of the few countries producing a smart electric car powered by solar energy locally, demonstrating that Lebanese innovation can compete globally while offering sustainable and smart transportation solutions for Beirut and other regions.
