Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with BYD, the world’s foremost new energy vehicle manufacturer, to introduce up to 50,000 BYD electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet across the region. This initiative aims to address growing concerns about fuel efficiency and mileage costs associated with ride-hailing services while accelerating the transition to zero-emission transportation in Southeast Asia.
Tackling barriers to EV adoption
High upfront costs remain a significant obstacle to EV adoption in Southeast Asia. To address this, Grab and BYD have established a partnership to provide Grab’s driver-partners with competitive access to BYD vehicles. The collaboration includes extended warranties on EV batteries and flexible options such as vehicle rentals through Grab’s fleet partners or financing through Grab’s car ownership programs. This initiative reflects Grab’s commitment to helping driver-partners adopt eco-friendly modes of transport. Additionally, passengers in select countries, including Singapore and Thailand, will benefit from the “Eco-Friendly Ride” option, which prioritizes green vehicles at no extra cost, allowing consumers to make sustainable travel choices without financial trade-offs.
Industry leaders spearhead change
Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are excited to partner with Grab as the leading on-demand transport provider in Southeast Asia and push forward the transition to electric vehicles in the region. BYD, as the world’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, will best integrate our technology with Grab’s, and we look forward to working with them to deliver a unique and unparalleled experience for their drivers and users. We continue to be dedicated to our goal of building a zero-emission ecosystem and we are committed to supporting Grab’s fleet and driver-partners. Through this collaboration, we are working together with Grab to realize the vision of cooling the earth by one degree.”
Chuck Kim, Managing Director of Group Business Development at Grab, added, “Sustainable growth in Southeast Asia is a priority for us and we are always looking to improve our offerings to both our driver-partners and Grab users. This collaboration enables us to drive the transition to EVs forward by lowering the financial barriers that are often associated with EVs, and in the long run deliver economic benefits to our driver-partners which may include fuel cost savings. We are confident that a reliable partner like BYD who are committed to delivering high quality vehicles and services allows us to showcase the benefits of EVs and make green transportation an accessible option to everyone.”
Comprehensive technology integration
The partnership goes beyond vehicle provision as it introduces deep Internet of Things (IoT) integration between BYD vehicles and Grab’s platform to enhance both driver and passenger experiences. The Grab driver app will be embedded in the head units of BYD vehicles, providing a seamless interface for drivers to manage jobs, navigation, and communication on a larger screen. Sensor and telemetry data from BYD vehicles will feed directly into the Grab platform, offering real-time insights and feedback on driving patterns to encourage safer driving habits. Information such as wiper signals and travel speed will enable Grab to better assess weather and traffic conditions, optimizing demand forecasting and driver deployment. Location data from the BYD fleet will also improve the accuracy of estimated time of arrival (ETA) predictions for passengers. By leveraging Grab’s hyperlocal mapping data alongside BYD’s fleet sensors, both companies aim to create smoother, more efficient journeys. Additionally, road and traffic data collected from the vehicles could enhance Grab’s mapping services over time.
Diverse fleet to meet varied needs
The partnership will span six key markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The fleet will include various BYD models, such as the Atto 3, SEAL, M6, and the luxury DENZA D9. Notably, Grab plans to position the DENZA D9 — a premium seven-seater electric MPV — as the cornerstone of its “GrabExec” service, catering to executive transport needs with a focus on convenience, style, and sustainability.
In the Philippines
Locally, Grab Philippines and BYD Cars Philippines have launched a pilot study aimed at examining the feasibility of introducing electric vehicles (EVs) into the digital ride-hailing industry. The pilot study will closely follow the experience of a contingent of Grab driver-partners testing out the BYD Dolphin. It will examine key operational and economic implications of using EVs as TNVS vehicles.
Through the analysis of collected data on total distance covered, battery efficiency, and their impact on the earning capacity and overall productivity of driver-partners, Grab and BYD Cars Philippines aim to offer valuable insights to transport stakeholders. Their goal is to help navigate the path towards greener mobility options in digital ride-hailing, while exploring potential cost-effective and profit-maximizing alternatives to conventional fuel-combusting vehicles.
In preparation for the deployment of the EVs in the GrabCar fleet, the dedicated group of Grab driver-partners underwent a special training with the BYD Cars Philippines team. The training covered a variety of subjects, including understanding charging options and planning, and the notable differences between EVs and traditional fuel-combusting cars. One such difference is the concept of regenerative braking, a unique feature in EVs that allows drivers to recapture energy as they decelerate. Driver-partners were also trained to use ACMobility’s network of EV chargers, which can be easily located and accessed through the EVRO mobile app. This app is available for download via the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega shares, “Grab is fully dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and critical to this is the inclusion of low or zero-emission vehicles in our fleet. Through this pilot study, we aim to formulate strategic recommendations around the effective integration of electric vehicles in ride-hailing fleets as we proactively co-engineer a more sustainable Philippine mobility ecosystem with all transport stakeholders.”