Chinese energy‑technology firm U Power unveiled Southeast Asia’s first operational battery‑swap station for electric vehicles (EVs) in Phuket, Thailand, following a public debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show in April 2025.
The station, part of U Power’s UOTTA modular battery‑swapping system, was showcased outdoors during the motor show. It attracted major Thai energy partner SUSCO and more than 80 Thai media outlets, marking a milestone in regional EV infrastructure. U Power’s CEO Johnny Lee described the event as “a blueprint for scalable electrification across ASEAN’s tourism economies,” noting that it signaled Thailand’s emergence as a testbed for EV innovation.
Under a March 2025 agreement, the motor‑show unit is being relocated to Phuket for full commercial service. The station will initially cater to electric taxis and ride‑hailing vehicles under pre‑established contracts, launching the region’s first operational battery‑swap ecosystem.
The rollout is supported by Thailand’s EV 3.5 policy, which offers consumer incentives for battery‑swappable EVs through 2027. By tapping into SUSCO’s existing fuel-station network along busy tourism and logistics corridors, U Power aims to rapidly scale its infrastructure across Phuket and beyond.
Jamie Zhang, CEO of U Swap Co., the company’s Thai subsidiary, said the project is more than a pilot—it’s a “replicable island‑optimized swap model” designed for deployment in coastal tourism centers. The station’s mobile, climate‑resilient design aligns with Phuket’s tropical environment and high seasonal demand.
U Power and SUSCO plan to co‑manage station launches and develop standardized protocols tailored to tourism hubs. The initiative aims to lower capital entry barriers by adopting an open‑architecture model that invites local partners to expand services using UOTTA technology.
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