Grab and BYD have joined forces in a regional partnership that will provide Grab drivers across Southeast Asia with access to up to 50,000 BYD electric vehicles (EVs). This collaboration spans across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, offering a range of models including the Denza D9, BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, and BYD M6.
The partnership between Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing company, and BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) aims to make EVs more accessible to Grab’s driver partners by offering competitive rates and extended warranties on the EV batteries. Grab’s fleet partners and driver partners will have the option to rent EVs from Grab’s fleet partners or receive financing support through Grab’s car ownership program.
One of the highlights of this collaboration is the integration of BYD’s premium EV brand, Denza, into Grab’s fleet. The Denza D9 luxury seven-seat electric MPV will be featured in GrabExec, setting a new standard for executive transportation in terms of convenience, style, and sustainability.
Chuck Kim, Managing Director of Business Development at Grab, emphasized that this partnership aims to drive the transition to EVs by lowering financial barriers and delivering economic benefits to driver partners through fuel cost savings. Additionally, Grab and BYD will work together to integrate deep IoT technology between vehicles and Grab’s platform, enhancing the overall driving experience.
Furthermore, Grab plans to expand its fleet size in Indonesia with over 1,000 BYD EVs by the end of 2024, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. This initiative aligns with BYD’s broader goals, as the company sold 4,272,145 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2024, marking a 41.26% year-on-year increase.
In a strategic move last July, ride-hailing company Uber partnered with BYD to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto its platform across global markets. This partnership signaled a significant shift towards sustainable transportation solutions and paved the way for future collaborations in regions like the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Looking ahead, Deutsche Bank analyst Wang Bin’s team projects that BYD will sell 5.52 million vehicles in 2025, highlighting the company’s strong growth trajectory in the EV market. As BYD continues to innovate and expand its presence in Southeast Asia and beyond, partnerships like the one with Grab play a crucial role in driving the adoption of EVs and promoting sustainable mobility solutions.
