Grab has partnered with BYD to provide more electric vehicle (EVs) choices across Southeast Asia.
Grab’s fleet partners and driver-partners will gain access to up to 50,000 BYD electric 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.
“This collaboration enables us to drive the transition to EVs forward by lowering the financial barriers 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,” says Chuck Kim, managing director of Group Business Development at Grab.
The collaboration also includes Internet of Things (IoT) integration between the vehicles and Grab’s platform and services to deliver improved driver and passenger experience.
By installing the Grab driver application available in the head unit of BYD vehicles, drivers can view their jobs, navigation and chats all at a glance on a larger screen.
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Sensor and telemetry data from BYD vehicles will also be integrated directly into the Grab platform. This provides real-time insights into drivers’ driving patterns and behaviours, which Grab can use to guide drivers on how to improve their driving behaviour.
Grab will also be able to infer more quickly and accurately external conditions, such as weather and traffic, by analysing data like wiper signals and travel speed from the EVs in real time. This data can then be fed into Grab’s algorithm and used to guide drivers towards areas where there is likely greater demand for rides, ensuring that there are sufficient drivers to meet spikes in passenger bookings.
Real-time location data from the BYD fleet will further boost the accuracy of Grab’s backend system in deriving a more precise estimated time of arrival for a ride.
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The Grab-BYD partnership spans Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and covers a range of models including the DENZA D9, BYD ATTO3, BYD SEAL, and BYD M6 cars.
Grab intends for DENZA, the premium electric vehicle brand from BYD, to become the cornerstone of its GrabExec fleet, featuring the DENZA D9 luxury seven-seater electric MPVs. By integrating the DENZA D9 into its fleet, Grab aims to set a new standard in executive transportation, anchored on convenience, style, and sustainability.
Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, says: “BYD, as the world’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, will best integrate our technology with Grab’s. 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 realise the vision of cooling the earth by one degree.”
