Hyundai and Grab want more electric vehicles in Southeast Asia   

Updated Jun 24, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The two companies are building on a partnership which started in 2018. 

The global push for electric vehicles or EVs by the middle of the century sounds lofty, especially when you consider that developed nations have the advantage in making this happen. Emerging economies such as those in Southeast Asia have been slow to adopt EVs so far, something that Hyundai and Grab want to address. 

Grab lobby

Grab is pursuing an expanded partnership with Hyundai to expedite EV use in the ASEAN region

Both companies have announced that they will be expanding their existing strategic partnership as far as mobility is concerned. Hyundai, along with its sister company Kia, and Grab, will be developing opportunities for more widespread EV use, starting with the latter’s rideshare drivers and delivery-partners. 

The initial partnership began in 2018, spawning a series of EV pilot projects that have deployed some 200 Hyundai Kona EVs in Singapore as part of the GrabRentals fleet, as well as Hyundai Ioniq vehicles under the GrabCar Elektrik program in Indonesia. Survey results from the initial EV pilot in Singapore revealed that Grab partner-drivers were wary of EV use due to high costs, lack of charging stations, and long waiting times for charging. 

Hyundai Kona EV

In 2019, some 200 Hyundai Kona EV units were deployed under the GrabRentals program in Singapore

Both Hyundai and Grab will focus on addressing these issues through leasing programs and financing for EVs, as well as a joint roadmap to expedite wider EV adoption in ASEAN, starting with Singapore and eventually expanding to Indonesia and Vietnam. An EV feasibility study is also planned, aimed at helping governments and stakeholders identify and close gaps leading to wider EV use.  

“Hyundai Motor Group and Grab were able to discover the possibility of EV businesses in Southeast Asia through our cooperation from 2018,” said Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Division Vice-President Minsung Kim. 

Hyundai Ioniq EV Indonesia

Hyundai Ioniq EV units were part of the GrabCar Elektrik fleet in indonesia

“With Grab having the largest driver network in the region and Hyundai’s comprehensive mobility solutions, we are confident that together we can help to increase the adoption of EVs and ultimately reduce carbon emissions throughout the region,” Kim added. 

Grab Managing Director for Operations Russell Cohen expressed the company’s intent on accelerating EV adoption in the region. “Successful EV adoption is a multi-stakeholder effort, particularly in Southeast Asia, and we’ll continue to leverage our technology and operational leadership to build a fleet for the future.”   

Find more stories that will have you looking forward to the future of mobility at Philkotse.com.     

Know more about Hyundai Ioniq 2024

Hyundai Ioniq

The Hyundai Ioniq 2023 Philippines is the Korean automaker's entry compact sedan segment which utilizes a liftback design. It is available in the Philippines in one variant only offered at Php 1,548,000. Under the hood, the vehicle comes with a 1.6-liter CVVT gasoline engine good for 104 horsepower and 147 Nm of torque. Complementing the engine is a lithium-ion polymer battery with an electric motor that generates 43 horsepower and 170 Nm of torque. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

Dimensions-wise, the Ioniq spans 4,470 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,460 mm high. It also gets a wheelbase and ground clearance rated at 2,700 mm and 150 mm. Locally, this Korean compact sedan goes up against the likes of the Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, and Mazda3

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

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Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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