Ride-hailing and food delivery platform Grab Thailand has partnered with nine electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, distributors, and taxi cooperatives to increase EV adoption among its driver network, the company announced. The initiative is designed to lower operating expenses for drivers facing mounting cost pressures from rising global oil prices tied to geopolitical volatility.
Through new rental and lease-to-own models, Grab aims to scale its EV ecosystem while advancing its broader corporate target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
Currently, more than 30,000 EVs operate on Grab’s platform in Thailand. The company also reported a 35% increase in consumer usage of its specific “Grab EV Rides” feature compared to the same period last year, indicating a shift in user demand toward lower-emission transport.
Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, Country Head of Grab Thailand, stated that the expanded ecosystem is intended to provide drivers with accessible pathways to transition away from combustion engines.
“Beyond enabling those who already own EVs to operate on our platform, we are also supporting drivers and riders in accessing EVs through rental and ownership options,” Thananitayaudom said, noting that the company has subsidized drivers to help manage immediate economic pressures.
The platform’s EV expansion relies on two primary financing structures for its drivers and riders:
- Rental Model: Grab has partnered with five electric taxi rental providers—EV7, Ch. Pattana Taxi, Siam Taxi Cooperative, Mittare Taxi Cooperative, and P-bike—allowing drivers to rent EV taxis starting at THB 800 per day. For delivery riders, a partnership with SLEEK EV offers electric motorcycle rentals starting at THB 125 daily.
- Lease-to-Own Model: Through agreements with CL & V Group Car Rent, Borrow Mobility (by B Autohaus), and EM Motor, drivers are offered daily installment plans based on their platform performance. Car payments start at THB 600 daily over a lease term of up to five years, which includes first-class insurance, scheduled maintenance, and long-term battery coverage. Motorcycle plans start at THB 105 daily over two to three years.
To support the infrastructure requirements of the growing fleet, Grab is concurrently coordinating with domestic charging network operators, including Sharge, Spark EV, and Altervim Super Charge, to improve station access for its drivers.
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