Grab, the Singapore-based ride-hailing company, is taking a significant step towards electric mobility in Indonesia by over 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet by the end of this year.

According to Nikkei Asia, Grab’s fleet will add EVs from BYD, marking a notable shift in the Indonesian automotive landscape traditionally dominated by Japanese automakers. The expansion will complement Grab’s existing fleet of over 10,000 electric two- and four-wheeled vehicles.

Neneng Goenadi, Grab’s managing director for Indonesia, expressed the company’s dedication to this cause stating, “We will remain consistent in providing eco-friendly mobility solutions for the public and accelerating the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in the country.”

Among the new additions to Grab’s fleet is BYD’s M6, a multipurpose electric van specifically designed for the Indonesian market. Launched in July, the M6 joins BYD’s other models introduced to Indonesia in January, including the Seal sedan, Atto 3 sports utility vehicle, and Dolphin hatchback. This diverse range of EVs displays BYD’s strategic approach to catering to various segments of the Indonesian market.

The partnership between Grab and BYD reflects a broader trend in the ride-hailing industry towards electric mobility. It follows a similar, albeit larger, deal between Uber and BYD, which aims to add 100,000 BYD EVs to Uber’s platform over several years. These strategic moves indicate a growing recognition of the importance of EV transportation options in the ride-hailing sector.

Read More: BYD and Uber Partner Up To Introduce 100,000 EVs Globally

For BYD, this collaboration with Grab represents more than just an EV supply agreement. It is a strategic entry point into the Southeast Asian market, particularly Indonesia, which has long been a stronghold for Japanese automakers with over 90% market share. 

With BYD’s ambitions in the region, the company has announced plans to build a $1 billion factory on 1.08 square kilometers of land in West Java province, scheduled to start operations in January 2026.

Indonesia, rich in battery raw materials such as nickel, is positioning itself as a hub for EV manufacturing in Southeast Asia. This transition is further exemplified by the country’s plans for a new, eco-friendly capital city and its efforts to build out its manufacturing sector, particularly in EVs.

Indonesia’s ride-hailing landscape is also seeing other additions of EVs as Grab’s competitors are also making strides. Indonesian ride-hailing company Gojek is one of them and has set a goal to replace all of its two-wheelers with electric variants by 2030. 

As Southeast Asian ride-hailing services continue to shift towards electric mobility, Grab’s pledge to transition to low-emission vehicles and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 is noted as the introduction of 1,000 BYD EVs in Indonesia demonstrates commitment to this goal.

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