News and Updates

Grab Holdings will deploy up to 50,000 electric cars made by China's BYD across Southeast Asia as it works to boost the number of EVs on the region's roads.

Under a new partnership between the companies, Grab's drivers and "fleet partners" -- which include car rental companies that provide vehicles to Grab drivers -- will get access to BYD vehicles at "the most competitive rates," with extended warranties on the batteries, they announced Wednesday. Drivers will have the option to rent the EVs from Grab's fleet partners or opt for financing support through its car ownership schemes.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Yuki Kohara and Ken Kobayashi

Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings launched its first electric vehicle model on Monday, marking the first locally-made EV in the country's growing auto market.

According to the announcement, the e.MAS 7 model is priced from 109,800 ringgit ($24,700) to 123,800 ringgit. That pricing challenges existing EV players like China's BYD, Tesla and BMW. Actual sales are due to begin early next year.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Nikkei Asia

Thailand plans to offer tax incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicle manufacturing, with the changes to take effect from 2026 if they are approved, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said on Monday.

Under the plans, tax collection would be based on the travel range per battery charge for a vehicle, with lower taxes for a longer travel range, Paopoom said, adding the proposal would be sent to cabinet by April.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Vietnam’s chemical giant Stavian Group will invest $22 million in making battery energy storage system (BESS), in order to promote green and clean energy development and sustainable energy industrialization in the country.

Stavian Energy Solutions and Stavian Industrial Park, two units of Stavian Group, have signed a deal for the former to lease infrastructure of the latter to manufacture BESS, electric vehicle charging equipment, and electric cables.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Stavian

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Ayala Corp. have signed a $100-million financing deal to support the company’s efforts to develop an electric mobility (e-mobility) ecosystem in the Philippines.

In a statement, ADB Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran said the project is a “significant step towards a sustainable and low-carbon future for the Philippines.” 

“We are not only addressing critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, but also driving economic growth through the creation of green jobs, enhancing energy security, and promoting inclusive and resilient urban development,” he said.

The Ayala Electric Mobility Ecosystem Project has secured an $85-million ordinary-capital-resources loan from the ADB and a $15-million concessional loan from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA).

CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB that is supported by the government of Canada. It aims to support private sector projects in the region that focus on “climate and nature-based solutions.”

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: