Singapore – Superapp Grab has forged a partnership with high-tech enterprise BYD to provide its driver-partners in Southeast Asia (SEA) with more access to electric vehicles (EVs).
Through the partnership, Grab and BYD aim to make EVs accessible to driver-partners in SEA, offering competitive rates and battery warranties. Drivers can opt to rent the vehicle or seek financing support from Grab’s car ownership schemes.
With the availability of green vehicles, the companies strengthen their sustainability efforts to advance zero-emission modes of transportation.
The option for an ‘eco-friendly ride’ in the Grab app is available in some countries, including Singapore and Thailand. This allows Grab to prioritise allocating EVs to users without any additional charge.
Additionally, BYD and Grab will collaborate to ensure deep technology integration between the vehicles and the platform. This includes the installation of the Grab driver application in BYD vehicles, allowing efficiency for drivers to view their jobs, navigation, and messages on a large screen. The EV’s sensor and data will also be integrated into Grab’s platform to track driving patterns and behaviours.
The data from the EVs, including wiper signals and speed, provides Grab with the necessary information about weather and traffic, allowing it to predict passenger demand and improve the accuracy of each ride’s estimated time of arrival.
The regional partnership covers Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, said, “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, said, “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.”