Didi Chuxing and BAIC Form Joint Venture to Expand Electric Vehicles
Didi partners with state-owned automaker BAIC to create a joint venture focused on developing connected-car systems and boosting EV adoption among its massive driver network.
Didi Chuxing expands its electric vehicle initiatives by forming a joint venture called Jingju with state-owned automaker BAIC and its affiliate Beijing Electric Vehicle. The partnership focuses on developing next-generation connected-car systems that incorporate fleet management and artificial intelligence. While the exact scope of the new venture remains unclear, it represents a significant step in Didi's ongoing mission to green its massive ride-hailing platform.
The Chinese ride-hailing giant currently operates nearly 400,000 new energy vehicles across its platform, but this represents only a small fraction of its 31 million registered drivers. BAIC serves as an ideal partner for this expansion because the automaker pledges to stop selling traditional fuel-powered vehicles entirely by 2025. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the transition to environmentally-friendly transportation in line with broader sustainability efforts across China.
This strategic alliance directly supports Didi's existing driver services business, which provides drivers with access to vehicle leasing, financing, insurance, and repairs. By leveraging its enormous driver network, Didi negotiates preferential rates with service providers to offer better deals and attract new drivers. This driver retention strategy is especially crucial right now as new government regulations threaten to limit the number of people eligible to drive for the platform.