MANILA: BYD Cars Philippines and Grab Philippines have launched a pilot study that will check on the feasibility of using electric vehicles (EV) in the ride-hailing industry.

The pilot study will be conducted  in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; Makati City; Pasay City; and Mandaluyong City  in span of one month — leveraging on the existing EV charging infrastructure within the said areas in Metro Manila.

For the program (which was designed to examine the operational and economic implications of EV usage as transport network vehicle service units), a contingent of Grab driver-partners will drive a total of six BYD Dolphin units.

The said pilot study is aimed to help “navigate the path towards greener mobility options in digital ride-hailing, while exploring "potential cost-effective and profit-maximizing alternatives" to conventional fuel combustion-powered vehicles.

 “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,” Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega said.

For his part, ACMobility Head of Retail and Distribution Antonio Zara III expressed confidence that the joint program will serve as a significant stride towards addressing challenges surrounding the shift towards green mobility.

 “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,” he noted. 

In the Grab ESG Report 2023, the leading superapp in Southeast Asia reported that it was able to cut down ~71,000 tCO2e through the use of low and zero-emission transport options. Still, several key factors must be considered in the shift to sustainable mobility, including charging infrastructure, public awareness and adoption, and regulatory frameworks.

Grab Philippines also said that prior to being deployed, those who will use EV underwent a special training with the BYD Cars Philippines team. The training covered understanding charging options and planning, and the notable differences between electrified and traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

Driver-partners were also trained to use ACMobility’s network of EV chargers, which can be easily located and accessed through the EVRO mobile app. This app is available for download via the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz expressed the agency’s support for the EV pilot study.

“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,” Guadiz said.

“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,” he added.

Photos from BYD Cars Philippines, Grab Philippines, Dylan Afuang, Hazel Nicole Carreon

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