Grab Launches EV Taxis in Manila, Next Up Singapore

Ride-hailing giant Grab is adopting electric vehicles into its taxi fleet in the Philippines and Singapore.

Earlier last month, Grab launched its fully electric taxi service, “GrabTaxi Electric,” in collaboration with EV Taxi Corp. The country’s first fully electric, on-demand taxi fleet was given the go-signal by the Philippines Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). This July an all-electric fleet will also be operating in Singapore, adding to the already ‘green’ selections in the Grab Singapore app.

Grab’s Electric Leap In The Philippines

Currently under testing in the Philippines, Grab’s EV taxis are only accessible to select users and ply key cities in Metro Manila, including Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Paranaque, and Pasay. The initial fleet incorporates the Chang’an Eado EV460.

This rollout follows a successful pilot study conducted in June 2024 with BYD Philippines, which assessed the operational and financial viability of EVs for drivers and fleet operators. This pilot is part of a broader regional partnership between Grab and BYD, aimed at expanding access to up to 50,000 BYD EVs for Grab’s driver-partners across Southeast Asia.

Beyond Metro Manila, Grab intends to extend its electric taxi and GrabCar EV services to other regional cities like Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The initiative aligns with national efforts to promote EV adoption, specifically supporting the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) and the Department of Energy’s push for sustainable transport solutions, ultimately aiming to foster “green livelihoods” for drivers and offer cleaner, quieter rides for commuters.The taxis seem to to moving about near and around the airports. Not many taxis have been deployed yet.

“This is not just about offering another ride option,” Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda said. He explained that Grab PH’s broader eco-mobility strategy, which includes expanding EV adoption across its GrabCar fleet in regional cities such as Davao and Cagayan De Oro within the year.

“It’s about fundamentally changing the DNA of urban transport in the Philippines — one that aligns with our sustainability commitments, empowers Filipino commuters, and creates meaningful green livelihoods. Sustainability cannot be a distant ideal; it must be something you can book, ride, and feel today,” Roda added.

GrabTaxi Electric will be done in a phased rollout which will be supported by in-app sustainability features such as voluntary contributions for environmental conservation efforts for every Grab transaction, and deeper collaboration with government and private sector partners to accelerate EV ecosystem readiness nationwide.

“As a local operator, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation,” said EV Taxi Corp President Frankie Ang. “Our partnership with Grab proves that when multinational platforms and local innovators work together, we can fast-track a cleaner, more inclusive future for transport — one that delivers value for both passengers and drivers alike.”

Grab’s Electric Push in Singapore

Grab has also intensified its commitment to EV adoption in Singapore with the introduction of “GrabCab” in July 2025. There is an existing Grab Taxi fleet in Singapore using a variety of ICE taxis. It also has collaborations with taxi services to use its app for ride hailing.

GrabCab’s new taxi fleet is entirely composed of hybrid and electric vehicles, signifying a substantial move towards decarbonizing the city-state’s public transport.

GrabCab initially debuted with 40 fifth-generation Toyota Prius (hybrid) vehicles. The company plans to progressively integrate more low- and zero-emission models, such as the Hyundai Kona hybrid, starting in August 2025, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to a fully electric fleet within the year. Having received its street-hail service operator license in April 2025, GrabCab is now Singapore’s sixth taxi operator.

The company has a three-year grace period to expand its fleet to meet a minimum size requirement of 800 taxis. GrabCab’s model integrates traditional street-hail services with Grab’s digital platform, enabling drivers to switch seamlessly between street-hail and app-based bookings. This hybrid approach aims to bridge accessibility gaps for commuters while enhancing operational efficiency through technology.

GrabCab also offers various benefits for drivers, including medical leave, instant fare payouts, safe driving bonuses, and discounts on fuel and EV charging across four providers islandwide. Vehicles are equipped with integrated mobile data terminals and AI-powered tools (KartaDongle and KartaDashcam) to bolster safety, efficiency, and real-time road condition data collection. GrabCab fares adhere to existing taxi industry rates, including applicable surcharges and booking fees. Grab’s strategy with GrabCab is to “grow the pie” by attracting new and inactive taxi drivers, thereby increasing the overall supply of available taxis in Singapore.