Chinese battery-swapping technology provider U Power Limited has signed an agreement with Whale Logistics Group to deploy up to 1,000 battery-swapping electric truck tractors in Thailand, with the first vehicles scheduled to enter service in April 2026, the companies said.
The partnership represents U Power’s first large-scale commercial move into Southeast Asia and is aimed at supporting Thailand’s push to decarbonize heavy-duty freight transport. Initial deliveries will begin with around 30 trucks, with a phased rollout planned thereafter, focusing on major logistics hubs including the Eastern Economic Corridor and the port of Laem Chabang.
Under the agreement, Whale Logistics will integrate the electric tractors into its yard and short-haul freight operations, replacing diesel vehicles with battery-swapping models designed to minimize downtime. The trucks will use U Power’s UOTTA system, which allows depleted batteries to be exchanged for fully charged units in minutes, an approach intended to improve fleet utilization compared with conventional charging.
U Power said the project is structured as a scalable model that could be replicated across other ASEAN markets as regional demand for low-emission logistics grows. The company positions battery swapping as a way to address operational constraints faced by commercial fleets, particularly in high-throughput logistics zones where long charging times can disrupt schedules.
Whale Logistics said the deployment supports its efforts to lower emissions while maintaining service reliability for customers in manufacturing and port-related supply chains. The partners also plan to combine the vehicle rollout with energy management systems designed to optimize electricity use and reduce pressure on local grids during peak periods.
The Thai project comes as governments and logistics operators across Southeast Asia accelerate investment in cleaner transport solutions, driven by tightening emissions targets and rising fuel costs.