Grab, BYD Cars Philippines team up for EV pilot study in ride-hailing

Grab Philippines and BYD Cars Philippines are taking a step towards a more sustainable transportation sector by launching a pilot study to see if electric cars (EVs) can be integrated into the ride-hailing market.

For the duration of the one-month pilot project, researchers will closely monitor how a group of Grab driver-partners use the BYD Dolphin. It will look at the major financial and operational effects of TNVS cars powered by EVs.

In order to provide transportation stakeholders with useful information, Grab and BYD Cars Philippines will analyze data on total distance covered, battery efficiency, and how these factors affect the earning capacity and overall productivity of driver-partners. In their pursuit of more environmentally friendly transportation options in the digital ride-hailing space, they want to uncover viable alternatives to traditional fuel-burning vehicles that are both cost-effective and maximize profits.

Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega shares, “Grab is fully dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and critical to this is the inclusion of low or zero-emission vehicles in our fleet. Through this pilot study, we aim to formulate strategic recommendations around the effective integration of electric vehicles in ride-hailing fleets as we proactively co-engineer a more sustainable Philippine mobility ecosystem with all transport stakeholders.”

The utilization of low and zero-emission transportation choices allowed the top Southeast Asian app, Grab, to decrease around 71,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), as disclosed in the Grab ESG Report 2023. The transition to sustainable transportation is not without its challenges, though, and these include charging infrastructure, public understanding and acceptance, and regulatory frameworks.

Toti Zara, Head of Retail & Distribution of ACMobility, Ayala’s automotive and mobility infrastructure group, is confident that the joint pilot study with Grab is a significant stride towards addressing these challenges. He views this collaboration as a crucial step in paving the way to the electrification of local ride-hailing. “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 glad to be pioneering this landmark study with Grab, who share our passion for safe and efficient transportation that is friendlier to our environment,” Zara shares. 

The committed group of Grab driver-partners went through intensive training with the BYD Cars Philippines crew in advance of the electric vehicle deployment in the GrabCar fleet. Among the many topics covered in the course were the many advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles compared to their more conventional fuel-burning counterparts, as well as various charging alternatives and strategies. One distinctive characteristic of electric vehicles is regenerative braking, which enables drivers to recover some of the energy lost when braking. The EVRO app makes it easy to find and use the network of electric vehicle chargers maintained by ACMobility, and driver-partners were also instructed in their use. You may find this software in the software Store and the Google Play Store.

On his part, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz has expressed support for the EV pilot study in the TNVS industry. “We are committed to advancing the transportation landscape of the Philippines through innovation and sustainable solutions, and this pilot marks a critical step in our efforts to explore and understand the unique opportunities and challenges associated with EV adoption in our country, and will provide us valuable insights and data to help us craft informed, inclusive, and effective policies that support and promote sustainable urban mobility while ensuring the safety and convenience of the commuting public. We thank Grab Philippines and ACMobility for this proactive initiative and look forward to collaborating more closely towards a greener and more sustainable future for Philippine transportation.”

The EV pilot study will launch in BGC, Makati City, Pasay City, and Mandaluyong City, leveraging the areas’ existing EV charging infrastructure.