Grab and BYD: Driving Southeast Asia's EV Revolution

In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, Grab, Southeast Asia's leading superapp, has partnered with BYD, the world's leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, to expand access to up to 50,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across the region. This strategic alliance aims to boost the electrification of the transportation sector, lower financial barriers for driver-partners, and enhance Grab's services through deep IoT integration.



The partnership, spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, covers a range of BYD models, including the Denza D9, Atto3, Seal, and M6. Grab intends for Denza, BYD's premium brand, to become the cornerstone of its GrabExec fleet, featuring the Denza D9 luxury seven-seater electric MPVs. These vehicles, designed with state-of-the-art features, will offer unparalleled comfort and luxury, setting a new standard in executive transportation anchored on convenience, style, and sustainability.

Through this collaboration, Grab and BYD look to provide Grab's fleet partners and driver-partners with access to BYD vehicles at the most competitive rates, with extended warranties on the EV vehicles' batteries. Drivers will have the option of renting the EVs from Grab's fleet partners or opting for financing support through Grab's car ownership schemes. In countries like Singapore and Thailand, Grab users can also choose to toggle on the "Eco-Friendly Ride" option, which will prioritize allocating green vehicles at no additional charge.

Mr. Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, expressed his excitement about the partnership: "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."



In addition to providing access to affordable EVs, Grab and BYD will facilitate deep IoT integration between the vehicles and Grab's platform and services. This collaboration aims to deliver safer rides, a more intuitive driving experience, improved reliability, better navigation and routing, and enhanced mapping services. By installing the Grab driver application in the head unit of BYD vehicles, drivers will be able to view their jobs, navigation, and chats all at-a-glance on a larger screen, reducing the need to toggle back and forth on their smartphones. Sensor and telemetry data from BYD vehicles will also be integrated directly into the Grab platform, providing real-time insights into drivers' driving patterns and behaviors, which Grab can use to give guidance to drivers on how to improve their driving behavior.

Chuck Kim, Managing Director, Group Business Development, Grab, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership: "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."

The Grab-BYD partnership is a significant step towards accelerating the transition to zero-emission modes of transport in Southeast Asia. By providing affordable access to EVs, enhancing driver-partner satisfaction, and improving overall service quality, Grab and BYD are poised to reshape the region's ride-hailing landscape and drive sustainable growth in the years to come.