Chinese EV battery-swapping firm U Power has signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Foton to jointly develop and promote battery-swapping compatible commercial vehicles, including electric trucks, vans and buses, the companies said.
Under the agreement, U Power will provide its battery-swapping technology to be integrated into Foton’s commercial vehicle lineup. The collaboration will also focus on the construction and testing of battery-swapping stations and the development of a broader battery-bank ecosystem.
The initial focus will be on Southeast Asia, South America, Hong Kong and Macau, with the companies noting that further geographic or product expansion is possible under the framework of the MOU.
U Power’s primary product, the UOTTA platform, allows for a three-minute battery swap using automated lifting mechanisms housed in modular stations. The company also offers a chassis-based multi-mode lift-type station that supports a range of vehicle sizes, provided they are equipped with compatible battery modules.
Foton, a leading Chinese manufacturer of commercial vehicles, has made significant investments in electric mobility and already offers battery-swapping trucks such as the Auman e-truck series.
“This partnership marks another significant step forward in our strategy of expanding OEM partner base,” said Johnny Lee, CEO and Chairman of U Power. He added that joint efforts with Foton will help accelerate the buildout of battery-swapping infrastructure in several key international markets.
The two companies aim to collect and analyse battery performance data, including state of health and charging behavior, to support operational efficiency and further product development.
The agreement underscores growing interest in battery-swapping as an alternative to conventional EV charging, particularly for commercial vehicle fleets where time and operational uptime are critical.