U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) Partners with Sumitomo Mitsui to Deliver Southeast Asia's First Battery-Swapping Taxi Fleet in Phuket
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) has delivered 21 battery-swapping-enabled MG EP vehicles to Auto Drive EV in Thailand through a partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing. This marks Southeast Asia's first battery-swapping taxi fleet deployment in Phuket. The vehicles feature U Power's UOTTA technology, enabling 3-minute battery swaps for maximum operational efficiency.
The initiative aligns with Thailand's EV 3.5 Policy for nationwide charging/swapping network development by 2027. Auto Drive EV aims to deploy 2,000 electric taxis by 2025. USWAP is expanding its battery-swapping network across Thailand's urban centers and transportation routes, focusing on commercial applications including taxis, trucks, and logistics fleets.
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) ha consegnato 21 veicoli MG EP dotati di tecnologia di sostituzione batteria ad Auto Drive EV in Thailandia, grazie a una collaborazione con Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing. Questo rappresenta il primo lancio in Sud-est asiatico di una flotta di taxi con sistema di cambio batteria nella città di Phuket. I veicoli sono equipaggiati con la tecnologia UOTTA di U Power, che consente sostituzioni della batteria in soli 3 minuti per massimizzare l'efficienza operativa.
L'iniziativa è in linea con la Politica EV 3.5 della Thailandia, che prevede lo sviluppo di una rete nazionale di ricarica e sostituzione batterie entro il 2027. Auto Drive EV punta a schierare 2.000 taxi elettrici entro il 2025. USWAP sta ampliando la sua rete di sostituzione batterie nelle aree urbane e lungo le principali vie di trasporto thailandesi, concentrandosi su applicazioni commerciali come taxi, camion e flotte logistiche.
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) ha entregado 21 vehículos MG EP con tecnología de intercambio de baterías a Auto Drive EV en Tailandia, mediante una alianza con Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing. Esto representa el primer despliegue de una flota de taxis con intercambio de baterías en Phuket, el Sudeste Asiático. Los vehículos cuentan con la tecnología UOTTA de U Power, que permite intercambios de batería en 3 minutos para una máxima eficiencia operativa.
La iniciativa está alineada con la Política EV 3.5 de Tailandia, que busca desarrollar una red nacional de carga e intercambio para 2027. Auto Drive EV planea desplegar 2,000 taxis eléctricos para 2025. USWAP está expandiendo su red de intercambio de baterías en centros urbanos y rutas de transporte en Tailandia, enfocándose en aplicaciones comerciales como taxis, camiones y flotas logísticas.
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR)는 Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing과의 협력을 통해 태국의 Auto Drive EV에 배터리 교체 기능이 탑재된 MG EP 차량 21대를 공급했습니다. 이는 푸켓에서 동남아시아 최초로 배터리 교체 택시 차량 대규모 배치를 의미합니다. 차량들은 U Power의 UOTTA 기술을 적용해 3분 내 배터리 교체가 가능하며, 최대 운영 효율성을 제공합니다.
이 사업은 2027년까지 전국 충전 및 배터리 교체 네트워크 구축을 목표로 하는 태국의 EV 3.5 정책과 일치합니다. Auto Drive EV는 2025년까지 2,000대 전기 택시 배치를 목표로 하고 있습니다. USWAP은 태국의 도시 중심과 주요 교통 경로를 따라 택시, 트럭, 물류 차량 등 상업용 애플리케이션에 집중하여 배터리 교체 네트워크를 확장하고 있습니다.
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) a livré 21 véhicules MG EP équipés de la technologie d'échange de batteries à Auto Drive EV en Thaïlande, via un partenariat avec Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing. Il s'agit du premier déploiement d'une flotte de taxis à échange de batteries en Phuket, en Asie du Sud-Est. Les véhicules intègrent la technologie UOTTA de U Power, permettant des échanges de batteries en 3 minutes pour une efficacité opérationnelle maximale.
Cette initiative s'inscrit dans la politique EV 3.5 de la Thaïlande, visant à développer un réseau national de recharge et d'échange d'ici 2027. Auto Drive EV prévoit de déployer 2 000 taxis électriques d'ici 2025. USWAP étend son réseau d'échange de batteries dans les centres urbains et sur les axes de transport thaïlandais, en se concentrant sur les applications commerciales telles que les taxis, les camions et les flottes logistiques.
U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) hat 21 MG EP Fahrzeuge mit Batterie-Swap-Funktion an Auto Drive EV in Thailand geliefert, in Zusammenarbeit mit Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing. Dies markiert den ersten Einsatz einer Taxi-Flotte mit Batterie-Swap in Phuket und ganz Südostasien. Die Fahrzeuge sind mit U Powers UOTTA-Technologie ausgestattet, die 3-minütige Batteriewechsel für maximale Betriebseffizienz ermöglicht.
Die Initiative steht im Einklang mit Thailands EV 3.5-Politik, die bis 2027 den landesweiten Ausbau eines Lade- und Swap-Netzwerks vorsieht. Auto Drive EV plant die Einführung von 2.000 Elektro-Taxis bis 2025. USWAP erweitert sein Batterie-Swap-Netzwerk in thailändischen Städten und entlang wichtiger Verkehrswege, mit Fokus auf kommerzielle Anwendungen wie Taxis, LKWs und Logistikflotten.
- First-mover advantage in Southeast Asia's battery-swapping taxi market
- Strategic partnership with major players Sumitomo Mitsui and Auto Drive EV
- Rapid 3-minute battery swap technology improves operational efficiency
- Expansion potential through Auto Drive's commitment to deploy 2,000 electric taxis by 2025
- Alignment with Thailand's EV 3.5 Policy provides regulatory support
- Initial fleet size of only 21 vehicles indicates small-scale deployment
- Limited to single location (Phuket) in initial phase
- Dependent on successful infrastructure network expansion
Insights
U Power's battery-swap tech deployment in Thailand demonstrates practical application in high-utilization taxi fleet with strong strategic partnerships backing implementation.
The deployment of 21 battery-swapping-enabled taxis in Phuket represents a significant market validation for U Power's technology. The UOTTA system's 3-minute battery replacement capability directly addresses the operational inefficiencies that have historically hampered EV adoption in commercial fleets. For taxi operators, minimized downtime translates to maximized revenue potential - a critical factor for commercial adoption.
Thailand's selection as the deployment location is strategically sound for three reasons: First, the country's EV 3.5 Policy creates regulatory tailwinds through subsidies and infrastructure support. Second, Phuket's status as a tourist destination provides high visibility for the technology. Third, the tropical climate presents technical challenges like battery thermal management that, if overcome successfully, validate the technology's robustness.
What's particularly notable is the integrated business model involving vehicle suppliers, financing partners, and fleet operators - addressing the entire value chain rather than just the technology component. This partnership approach with Sumitomo Mitsui and Auto Drive creates a more sustainable implementation framework than technologies deployed in isolation.
While the initial 21-vehicle deployment is modest, its significance lies in establishing operational proof in a real-world commercial setting. If successful, this model could be replicated across Thailand and potentially throughout Southeast Asia, where similar market conditions exist.
U Power's entry into Thailand leverages strategic partnerships with financial and mobility leaders, creating a scalable beachhead in Southeast Asia's growing EV market.
U Power's partnership architecture reveals a sophisticated market entry strategy for Southeast Asia. By engaging Sumitomo Mitsui as the financial partner, U Power addresses the capital-intensive nature of EV fleet deployment through a leasing model that lowers adoption barriers. This arrangement distributes risk across multiple stakeholders while preserving U Power's capital for technology and infrastructure development.
The choice of Thailand as an entry point is strategically sound due to its position as ASEAN's automotive manufacturing hub and its government's explicit EV adoption policies. The country serves as an ideal proving ground before potential expansion to larger Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Vietnam.
Partnering with Auto Drive, which has publicly committed to deploying 2,000 electric taxis in 2025, creates a potential scaling pathway. While the press release doesn't specify how many of these vehicles might incorporate U Power's technology, the initial deployment establishes a commercial relationship that could expand if performance metrics are met.
The focus on commercial fleets rather than consumer applications demonstrates market discipline. Fleet operators make decisions based on total cost of ownership rather than upfront costs, making them more receptive to innovations that improve operational efficiency. This business-to-business focus could accelerate adoption compared to the more challenging consumer market.
This partnership model, if successful in Thailand, provides U Power with a template for regional expansion that balances capital efficiency with market penetration.
Pioneering Battery-Swapping Green Mobility in
The vehicles are equipped with U Power's proprietary UOTTA fully automated battery-swapping technology, showcased at the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show. This system enables a full battery replacement in just 3 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime for taxis, maximizing operational efficiency, and uninterrupted service for passengers. The deployment aligns with
A Model for Sustainable Tourism
Leadership Insights
Johnny Lee, CEO of U Power Limited: "This delivery is not just a milestone for USWAP but a leap forward for
Representative of Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing & Service (
Dr. Akaranun Ariyasripong, Chairman of Auto Drive EV Public Company Limited, revealed, "The integration of U Power's vehicles into Auto Drive's fleet reinforces our commitment to delivering up to 2,000 electric taxis within 2025 and reducing carbon emissions in key tourist cities. The partnership includes comprehensive support for battery-swapping infrastructure, operational management, and financial services."
Market Impact and Future Plans
This initiative establishes
About U Power Limited
U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) is a vehicle sourcing services provider with a vision to become an EV market player primarily focused on its proprietary battery-swapping technology, UOTTA technology. UOTTA is an intelligent modular battery-swapping solution designed to provide comprehensive battery power solutions for EVs. Since its inception in 2013, U Power has established a vehicle sourcing network in
For more information, please visit: https://www.upower-limited.com/
About SMAT
Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Leasing & Service (
About Auto Drive
Auto Drive EV Public Company Limited is a pioneering Thai company specializing in electric vehicle (EV) solutions aimed at promoting sustainable transportation and reducing air pollution. In collaboration with Grab Thailand, Auto Drive EV launched the "Electric Taxi Rental Project," aiming to deploy up to 2,000 electric taxis by 2025 in key tourist cities across
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements reflect the company's current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the company's current expectations and projections about future events that the company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs.
Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "propose," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.
Although the company believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Investors are encouraged to review other factors that may affect future results in the company's registration statement and other filings with the
For more information, please visit: https://www.upower-limited.com/
Media Contact: xing.wang@upincar.com
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FAQ
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