U Power and UNEX EV Launch Southeast Asia’s First 24/7 Smart Battery Swapping Station in Phuket, Thailand

By Isha Qureshi • Tue Jul 22 2025

U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) and UNEX EV B.V. have officially inaugurated Southeast Asia’s first 24/7 smart battery swapping station for electric taxis and ride-hailing fleets. Located in Phuket, this groundbreaking installation is powered by U Power’s proprietary UOTTA™ technology and marks a significant leap in the region’s EV infrastructure development. It is not only the first project from the joint venture between U Power and Thai energy giant Susco, but also the world’s first smart battery swapping station outside China built specifically for ride-hailing and taxi operations.

The station utilizes U Power’s advanced UOTTA™ system, which combines AI-assisted alignment, modular hardware, and standardized battery interfaces to deliver fully unmanned, ultra-fast battery swaps in just minutes. This innovation addresses a critical need in the growing robotaxi and autonomous mobility sector offering a viable alternative to traditional EV charging, which cannot meet the high-efficiency demands of fleets operating on tight schedules.

At the launch ceremony, Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Global CEO of UNEX EV, highlighted the significance of the launch, “This first smart swapping station in Southeast Asia is powered by U Power’s proprietary UOTTA™ technology, integrating AI-based positioning and modular hardware to enable fully automated battery swaps in just minutes, bringing the vision of autonomous, intelligent mobility into reality.”

The event drew key stakeholders from across the region, including local officials, industry leaders from CP Group, SAIC-CP MG, and delegates from Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The station completes a full ecosystem loop already in operation in Phuket, where U Power, UNEX EV, and SAIC-CP MG had earlier deployed a fleet of swappable EVs. These vehicles, operated by Thailand’s leading fleet operators like AUTO Drive, have already shown measurable improvements in operational uptime and efficiency.

AUTO Drive CEO Mr. Akaranan shared, “The UOTTA™-enabled swappable EV fleet we deployed in Phuket has significantly improved operational efficiency. Battery swaps take just minutes, relieving power grid pressure during peak times and saving valuable time for both drivers and vehicles. This project serves as a pilot model for Thailand and ASEAN.”

Industry interest is growing. Mr. Woraphon, President of the Thai Taxi Association, praised the vehicle and station setup after a hands-on demo, saying, “This UNEX EV-MG model is the best electric taxi I’ve seen in Thailand to date, spacious, comfortable, and cost-effective. More importantly, it helps drivers save time and money. We’re seriously considering this model when upgrading our 60,000-vehicle fleet to EVs in the future. ”

With Thailand as its strategic launchpad, U Power is rapidly expanding across Southeast Asia. Its joint venture with Susco aims to roll out a national swapping network using Susco’s 1,000 gas stations. In Singapore, U Power’s “ESP Model” plans to deploy 5,000 swappable EVs and retrofit 300 existing MG EP taxis. Expansion plans are also underway in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Globally, U Power’s intelligent swapping ecosystem is taking root. In Hong Kong, the first UOTTA™ station began operations in June, with a roadmap to build 55 more. In Europe, U Power has partnered with Portugal’s Taxi Association under the joint venture ELMO and is in talks with energy major Galp. In South America, U Power’s first station in Peru will soon launch in collaboration with local ride-hailing platform Ualabee.

From Phuket to the world, U Power is redefining how energy is delivered to EVs, solving the critical challenge of “driverless energy replenishment” in the age of autonomous mobility. As countries and cities race toward electrification, U Power is not just deploying infrastructure; it is building the backbone of a smart, data-driven, zero-emissions transportation network for the future.