Leading ride-hailing and multi-service super app company Grab Philippines has launched a new program called the Eco-Drive Initiative. The latest endeavor brings together banking companies and automotive brands to establish what it describes as Southeast Asia’s largest EV financing coalition for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers.
Launched last April 14, 2026 in Manila, the Grab Eco-Drive Initiative aims to make electric and hybrid vehicles more accessible to TNVS driver-partners through discounted financing, simplified loan applications, and flexible repayment options. The program aligns with the government’s push for transport electrification under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) Law.
The program was made possible with bank partnerships from BDO and BPI. It also tapped some of the country’s biggest automotive brands to start the initiative on a high note. These brands include Toyota, BYD, GAC, Dongfeng, Omoda, Jaecoo, Autohub Group brands, and QSJ Motors Philippines. The company also noted ongoing discussions with government agencies such as the LTFRB, DOTr, and DOE to ensure alignment with national policies.
The Grab Eco-Drive is positioned as a response to two pressing challenges faced by TNVS: rising fuel costs and the need to replace aging vehicles. By transitioning to EVs and hybrids, drivers can potentially reduce daily fuel expenses, improving personal earnings over time.
Under the program, Grab facilitates access to financing by sharing verified driver data to its bank partners, subject to the driver’s consent. These include earnings history, platform tenure, among others. While banks retain full control over credit decisions, this additional data aims to support faster and more inclusive loan processing. Drivers can choose between traditional monthly payments or daily installment schemes through the Grab Driver Wallet, allowing repayments to better align with their income flow.
The initiative also introduces a more streamlined vehicle acquisition process. For this, Grab will identify and assess drivers based on vehicle age and service history. It will also offer personalized outreach, as well as provide application options via digital forms or dedicated “Express Lanes” at Grab Driver Centers. Automotive brand partners, on the other hand, will offer exclusive discounts on select EV and hybrid models, helping reduce upfront costs.
“Eco-Drive brings together Grab, the Philippines’ leading financial institutions, and global automakers to do one thing: make the shift from gasoline to electric and hybrid vehicles simpler and more accessible for our driver-partners. Rising fuel costs are eating into driver earnings every single day. This coalition is designed to protect those earnings by lowering the cost of vehicle ownership and removing the financing barriers that have kept fleet electrification out of reach,” shared Gines Barot, Grab Philippines General Manager for GrabCar and Fleet Solutions.
Autocar’s Take
With how the industry is evolving these days, Grab’s Eco-Drive Initiative is a timely and practical step toward electrifying the public transport system, especially for TNVS drivers who face daily fuel cost pressures. What stands out is Grab’s attempt to solve financing, often the biggest barrier, instead of just promoting EV adoption in theory. By using driver data to support loan applications and offering flexible repayment schemes, the program acknowledges how drivers actually earn.
What Grab needs to tackle now is the challenge of executing the program with a wider vision in mind. This means extending the program’s accessibility beyond top-performing drivers, and vehicle costs still need to make sense in the long-term. If done right, the Eco-Drive Initiative could reshape how the TNVS industry operates locally. It could even attract more drivers and car brands in the process.
