Grab Thailand promotes EV use through two leasing schemes
Source：The Nation Newspaper
From：Taiwan Trade Center, Bangkok
Update Time：2023/12/31
Grab Thailand is aiming to play a role in driving the country's electronic vehicle (EV) adoption by offering two leasing and renting schemes to help its drivers and riders own EV cars and motorcycles.
The schemes stem from its collaboration with seven EV-related industry partners, namely BYD (Rêver Automotive), H SEM Motor, STROM, Swap & Go, EV Station PluZ, Auto Drive EV, and Moove.
Grab country head Worachat Luxkanalode told reporters during a press conference on Monday that the company intends to drive the 'Grab EV' programme, which promotes the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among driver and delivery partners.
Through this partnership, more than 8,000 EVs are expected to be made available to Grab's partners by 2025, with EVs accounting for 10% of vehicles on Grab Thailand's platform by 2026.
“The two new models to be launched at the beginning of 2024 will help alleviate the financial burden for Grab drivers and delivery partners looking to adopt EVs,” he said.
The Drive-to-Own scheme involves a daily instalment and revenue-based financing model tailored for drivers who want to provide transportation services with EVs, while the End-to-End EV Bike Rental option offers electric motorbike rentals starting at 125 baht per day and caters to riders who provide delivery or passenger services.
The decision was made after a study conducted by Grab Thailand revealed that over 85% of Grab driver-partners are interested in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), but numerous challenges, primarily financial, stand in the way.
“Most drivers and riders often do not get approval from the banks when applying for a loan,” he explained.
In addition to providing a leasing scheme to assist Grab drivers in dealing with the higher cost of EV models, Worachat said that its two models will allow Grab to
collect enough data to address other EV-related issues such as vehicle performance and charging infrastructure.
“This will make EVs accessible to our driver-partners as well as help our business partners to gain insights into EV users' behaviours to develop their products and services,” he said.
According to Maythinee Anavachkul, Grab Thailand's head of Mobility, Grab currently serves as a platform that fosters connections across various sectors, such as EV manufacturers and distributors, related service providers such as EV charging stations, and financial institutions.
She pointed out that this collaborative approach facilitates the exchange of critical information, allowing the development of tailored solutions that best meet the needs of Grab’s driver-partners.
“These solutions range from enhancing the features and capabilities of electric cars and motorcycles to strategically placing charging stations and battery swapping points in areas where our driver-partners are most active,” she explained.
Grab Thailand's leasing and renting models have received positive feedback from its partners.
Swap&Go managing director Arweemas Sirisaengtaksin, Rêver Automotive managing director Wisit Pitayaviriyakul, and Moove founder Ladi Delano, who participated in a panel discussion on “The Role of the Private Sector in Promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Thailand”, applauded this initiative.
They agreed to support the models in their respective fields, such as expanding battery swapping and charging stations, offering EV car models and maintenance, and providing tech solutions.
Worachat said the renting and leasing model will initially be limited to Grab Thailand's driver and rider partners. The first phase will be available in Bangkok before soon expanding to other major cities throughout Thailand, including Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen.
Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/