Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs) receive a battery-swapping deal from U Power and Foton Motors, a leading manufacturer based in Beijing.

Beijing Foton International Trade and U Power Announce Partnership for Battery Swapping Infrastructure

Beijing Foton International Trade, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Beijing Foton Motors Co, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U Power. This collaboration aims to introduce battery swapping capabilities to Beijing Foton's commercial vehicles.

Under the terms of the MoU, U Power will develop and test battery swapping stations for the vehicles. The integration will utilize U Power's proprietary modular battery swapping system, UOTTA, in Southeast Asia, South America, Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, and potentially other regions.

The MoU could potentially lead to future collaborative opportunities, though specifics have not been disclosed by either company. U Power views the partnership as a means to strengthen collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and facilitate expansion of battery swapping infrastructure.

Beijing Foton Motors Co focuses on electric commercial vehicles, and the technology will be integrated into compatible electric heavy trucks, buses, and vans. The vehicles will drive into UOTTA stations, where automatic lifting equipment removes and replaces the battery with minimal driver input.

This partnership is another example of the emphasis placed on the technology and infrastructure required for success in ASEAN. Malaysia's national automaker, Proton, has partnered with several Chinese tier-1 suppliers to localize production of components. CATL has begun construction on a new battery facility in Indonesia, covering the full lifecycle of batteries from mining and refining of components to battery recycling.

A panel at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain ASEAN discussed managing transformation in technology, trade, and infrastructure to make ASEAN supply chains fit for the future. The MoU between U Power and Beijing Foton International Trade announced the expansion of battery swapping stations in the countries of India, Vietnam, and Nepal.

Johnny Lee, CEO and chairman of U Power, expects the partnership to accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive battery-swapping and battery-bank ecosystem in several key markets. Beijing Foton exported 153,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2024, demonstrating the potential for this collaboration to make a significant impact.

Beijing Foton will capture real-world performance data for batteries and swapping systems as part of the partnership. This data will be crucial in refining and improving the technology to meet the needs of the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The collaboration between Beijing Foton International Trade and U Power is a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient future for commercial transportation in ASEAN.

Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs) receive a battery-swapping deal from U Power and Foton Motors, a leading manufacturer based in Beijing.