Grab and BYD Cars Philippines Partner for EV Pilot Study in Ride-Hailing

By motoph admin on June 18, 2024

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The partnership between Grab and BYD Cars Philippines paves the way for a future of greener ride-hailing in the Philippines.

Driving towards a sustainable transportation sector, Grab Philippines and BYD Cars Philippines have launched a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into the digital ride-hailing industry.

This one-month pilot will monitor a group of Grab driver-partners as they test the BYD Dolphin, focusing on key operational and economic implications of using EVs as TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Service) vehicles. The study will analyze data on total distance covered, battery efficiency, and the impact on driver-partners’ earnings and productivity. Grab and BYD aim to provide valuable insights to transportation stakeholders, promoting greener mobility options and exploring cost-effective, profitable alternatives to conventional fuel-combusting vehicles.

EJ Dela Vega, Head of Mobility at Grab Philippines, emphasized, “Grab is fully dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, and incorporating low or zero-emission vehicles is critical to this goal. This pilot study aims to develop strategic recommendations for effectively integrating EVs into ride-hailing fleets, helping to build a more sustainable Philippine mobility ecosystem in collaboration with all transport stakeholders.”

According to the Grab ESG Report 2023, Grab reduced approximately 71,000 tCO2e by using low and zero-emission transport options. However, transitioning to sustainable mobility involves considering factors like charging infrastructure, public awareness, adoption, and regulatory frameworks.

Grab and BYD Cars Philippines forge a partnership for a pioneering study on the inclusion of electric vehicles in the ride-hailing fleet. [L-R] ACMobility Head of Retail & Distribution Toti Zara, BYD Cars Philippines Sales Director Minnie Bustamante, Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega and Head of Mobility Marketplace Clarize Morito

Toti Zara, Head of Retail & Distribution at ACMobility, Ayala’s automotive and mobility infrastructure group, views the pilot study as a significant step toward addressing these challenges. He said, “The results of these end-to-end trials will help us create an ecosystem-wide approach to accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility in our country. We are excited to pioneer this landmark study with Grab, who share our commitment to safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation.”

In preparation for the EV deployment in the GrabCar fleet, selected driver-partners received specialized training from BYD Cars Philippines. The training covered charging options and planning, and differences between EVs and traditional fuel-combusting cars, such as regenerative braking. Driver-partners were also trained to use ACMobility’s EV charger network, easily accessible through the EVRO mobile app, available on Google Play Store and Apple Store.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz expressed support for the EV pilot study, stating, “We are committed to advancing the Philippines’ transportation landscape through innovation and sustainable solutions. This pilot is a critical step in exploring EV adoption’s opportunities and challenges, providing valuable insights to craft informed, inclusive, and effective policies supporting sustainable urban mobility while ensuring the commuting public’s safety and convenience. We thank Grab Philippines and ACMobility for this proactive initiative and look forward to collaborating towards a greener, more sustainable future for Philippine transportation.”