Grab partners with GAC to enhance electric vehicle ride-hailing experience in Southeast Asia

Grab, the Singapore-based superapp, and Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), the China-based smart electric mobility firm, have forged a strategic partnership, to deploy an initial 20,000 high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) across Southeast Asia. Grab said in a statement on Thursday that beyond increasing the diversity and number of EVs in the firm’s fleets, this collaboration focuses on the integration of both companies’ systems to enhance the in-vehicle experience for Grab’s driver-partners. Both parties are also exploring ways to improve after-sales support for Grab’s fleets. To start, the new partnership between Grab and GAC will introduce three of the latter’s star models — AionY, AionES, and Aion V — across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, further enhancing the diversity of Grab’s EV fleets. GAC vehicles come with features specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional ride-hailing, such as 90-degree door openings and ample rear legroom, ensuring a more comfortable experience for both driver-partners and passengers. This new collaboration aligns with GAC’s strategy of ‘Tech-Driven GAC, Advancing Global Reach with a Full-Chain Ecosystem, which envisions an integrated ecosystem of products, services, and operational capabilities for EVs. Through this collaboration, the Grab driver app will be integrated into GAC’s intelligent cockpit system. This integration allows Grab’s driver-partners to view road navigation and receive information from Grab—such as guidance on high-demand areas and safety alerts for hazardous conditions — directly on GAC’s larger and easy-to-read cockpit display. By eliminating the need to toggle between devices, driver-partners can accept trips seamlessly, reduce eye strain and focus more on road safety. Grab’s driver-partners will have the option of renting the EVs from Grab’s fleet partners or opting for financing support through Grab’s car ownership schemes. Looking ahead, Grab and GAC are committed to exploring technological innovations and further expanding EV adoption across the region. “At Grab, we are constantly seeking innovations that empower our driver-partners. By integrating the Grab driver app directly into the GAC cockpit display, our driver-partners can receive timely and important data, such as precise navigation and safety alerts, in a more ergonomic way, “This ensures a more seamless and intuitive experience that reduces our driver-partners’ cognitive load, while advancing our shared commitment to carbon neutrality and a sustainable future,” said Philipp Kandal, Chief Product Officer at Grab. The selection of the three GAC EV models is based on their ability to meet the diverse demands of the Southeast Asian market. The three models are known for their safety, range and comfort: As a best-selling model under GAC, the AION Y is a popular choice for electric taxis with its stylish design and practical interior, making it ideal for premium airport transfers. The AION V, with its Euro NCAP five-star safety rating, combines long range with a spacious cabin, setting a global safety benchmark for pure electric SUVs. With its efficient range and spacious, ergonomic configuration, the AION ES has gained trust and grown in popularity, alongside the AION Y, as an electric taxi option. By leveraging Grab’s reach across Southeast Asia, GAC seeks to achieve exposure to millions of users, enabling it to gain greater brand awareness and a deeper market understanding of the region to more accurately meet its demands. It is noted that the EV market in Southeast Asia is experiencing significant growth. Data from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global EV Outlook 20251 reported that regional sales rose by nearly 50 percent in 2024. Facilitating driver-partners’ sustainable transition to low or zero emission transportation modes is key to Grab’s emissions reduction-first and inclusive approach to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. As such, Grab said it is committed to being a regional ecosystem testbed that develops and scales EV solutions by improving vehicle accessibility for driver-partners, enhancing infrastructure through partnerships on charging networks, and driving consumer demand for EV rides. According to the statement, in countries like Singapore and Thailand, Grab users can toggle on the “Eco-Friendly Ride” option, which prioritizes allocating a green vehicle at no additional charge. Grab also partnered with multiple charging operators in the region so that driver-partners enjoy charging savings. For instance, Grab Vietnam announced partnerships with EBOOST and Charge+ in November and December 2025, respectively, to develop charging networks across the country. Meanwhile, Grab driver-partners in Vietnam now receive preferential charging rates and discounts at EBOOST and Charge+ facilities, significantly lowering their operational costs. Grab Thailand has also advanced a Drive-to-Own model to provide an accessible pathway to EV ownership. This model offers lease terms spanning five years with no down payment required. Payments are conveniently deducted directly from the driver-partners’ earnings. Meanwhile, the GrabCab fleet in Grab Singapore consists of fully electric or hybrid vehicles to meet driver-partners’ demand and Grab’s sustainability goals. Grab Philippines also unveiled GrabTaxi Electric — the nation’s first fully electric, on-demand taxi fleet officially recognized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in June 2025. Grab Indonesia currently utilizes over 11,000 EVs across Indonesia, primarily serving high-volume routes and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable urban transport. Grab partners ST Engineering to launch drone food delivery pilot in Singapore