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Commuters will soon ride EVs thanks to new BYD and Grab partnership

A strategic partnership for Southeast Asian markets

Philippine commuters will soon be riding in Grab EVs. PHOTO FROM GRAB

Good news for Grab users who’ve been wanting to try riding in an electric vehicle: The leading transport app has just announced a partnership with BYD. With the Chinese EV manufacturer on an ascendant path to global EV domination, it has committed to making its EVs even more accessible to fleet partners and driver-partners to the tune of up to 50,000 units for Southeast Asia.

While BYD already has very competitive prices for its BEVs and PHEVs, Grab and BYD are aiming to provide its partners even better rates as well as extended warranties on their batteries. Driver-partners will be able to choose between leasing and renting the EVs from Grab’s fleet partners, or they can purchase their cars through Grab’s in-house financing. The partnership is part of Grab’s promise to transition to zero emissions. In Singapore and Thailand, for example, Grab users can choose an “Eco-Friendly Ride” option, prioritizing an EV/PHEV over an ICE vehicle at no extra cost.

Grab driver-partners stand to save a lot of money on gas with the partnership. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

Aside from the Philippines, the Grab-BYD partnership covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The models include the Denza D9, the Atto 3, the Seal, and (presumably) the Seagull for the Philippines. One particularly neat integration will be the installation of the Grab app in the BYD head unit, allowing the driver to utilize the larger screen instead of having to rely on the usual smartphone. Data from sensors and telemetry will be pulled into the Grab platform, allowing the algorithm to note weather and traffic conditions and guide drivers to areas that have  a higher demand.

According to Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales, 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 1°.”

This collab has a lot of potential. PHOTO FROM GRAB

Grab Group Business Development managing director Chuck Kim also 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, which is 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.”

And with Grab primarily being used in Metro Manila, it stands to reason that a BEV model would be a logical choice for a driver-partner as charging stations are becoming more and more accessible. Range-extended models like the Seal 5 and the Sealion 6 would also be ideal models for those who are not quite ready to completely switch to a full-electric vehicle.



Andy Leuterio

Andy is both an avid cyclist and a car enthusiast who has finally made the shift to motorcycles. You've probably seen him on his bicycle or motorbike overtaking your crawling car. He is the author of the ‘Quickshift’ column.



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