Grab and China’s GAC have signed a strategic partnership to place an initial 20,000 electric vehicles into ride-hailing fleets across Southeast Asia, betting that more supply and better in-car integration can speed up EV uptake among working drivers.
The companies said the roll-out spans Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, starting with three GAC Aion models: the Aion Y, Aion ES and Aion V.
As Grab cars, they would clock high mileage and were chosen for their taxi-friendly touches such as wide-opening rear doors and generous rear legroom.
A key piece is software. Grab said its driver app would be integrated into GAC’s “intelligent cockpit” so drivers could see navigation and receive platform prompts, including high-demand area guidance and safety alerts, on the car’s larger display rather than jumping between devices. Grab argues that should cut distraction and eye strain, while making trip acceptance simpler.
Philipp Kandal, Grab chief product officer, said the cockpit integration delivers “timely and important data” in a more ergonomic way and lowers drivers’ “cognitive load”, while supporting both firms’ decarbonisation goals.
Grab said drivers can access the EVs either via rentals through fleet partners or through financing support under its vehicle ownership schemes, while the two companies are also exploring stronger after-sales support for fleet operations.
GAC pointed out the Aion V’s five-star Euro NCAP rating as one reason for the selection.
The partnership comes as Southeast Asia’s EV market grows quickly: the International Energy Agency reported regional electric car sales rose by nearly 50% in 2024, reaching about 9% of total car sales.
