PHUKET, Thailand — U Power Limited (NASDAQ: UCAR), a green energy technology firm, has partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing & Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to deploy Southeast Asia’s first battery-swapping taxi fleet in Phuket.
The initiative involves the delivery of 21 MG EP electric vehicles equipped with U Power’s proprietary UOTTA battery-swapping technology to Auto Drive EV Public Company Limited, a Thai mobility service provider. The UOTTA system enables a full battery replacement in approximately three minutes, significantly reducing vehicle downtime and enhancing operational efficiency.
This deployment aligns with Thailand’s EV 3.5 Policy, which aims to subsidize electric vehicle adoption and establish a nationwide charging and swapping network by 2027. Phuket, a major tourist destination, is expected to benefit from improved air quality and sustainable transportation solutions through this initiative.
“This delivery marks a significant milestone for USWAP and represents a leap forward in Southeast Asia’s transition to electric vehicles,” Johnny Lee, CEO of U Power Limited, said in a statement.
Auto Drive EV plans to expand its electric taxi fleet to 2,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, further supporting Thailand’s carbon neutrality goals.
U Power’s Thai subsidiary, USWAP Co., Ltd., is overseeing the deployment and plans to expand the battery-swapping network across Thailand’s urban centers and transportation routes, focusing on commercial applications such as taxis, trucks, and logistics fleets.