Ride-hailing company Grab is extending its collaboration with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD to roll out up to 50,000 EVs in Southeast Asia. The initiative will span Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, featuring BYD models such as the Denza D9, Atto 3, Seal, and M6.
Under the agreement, BYD aims to provide vehicles at competitive rates and includes extended warranties for EV batteries. Drivers will have the option to acquire vehicles through Grab’s car ownership programs or rent them via fleet partners. The partnership also includes the integration of Grab’s driver app into BYD vehicles, enabling drivers to manage jobs, navigation, and communication. Data from vehicles, including speed and wiper activity, will be shared with Grab to optimize service demand.
“Sustainable growth in Southeast Asia is a priority,” said Chuck Kim, Managing Director for Group Business Development at Grab. He highlighted that the initiative seeks to reduce barriers to EV adoption and support economic benefits for drivers, including potential fuel cost savings.
This collaboration builds on a 2023 pilot in Indonesia, where Grab added over 1,000 BYD EVs to its fleet. It aligns with similar initiatives, such as a deal between BYD and Uber to supply 100,000 EVs globally, starting in Europe and Latin America.
