U Power Limited has signed a strategic partnership with Whale Logistics Group to deliver and deploy up to 1,000 battery-swapping electric truck tractors across Thailand, marking a significant commercial expansion for U Power in Southeast Asia and positioning the company as a key player in zero-emission freight transport in the region.
Under the partnership, the first batch of 30 electric truck tractors is scheduled for delivery in April 2026, forming the foundation for broader deployment across Thailand’s high-utilisation logistics corridors. These initial units will be introduced in and around major freight hubs, with an early focus on the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Laem Chabang port area, two of the country’s most strategic logistics and industrial zones. Whale Logistics plans to integrate the electric tractors into its existing warehousing, yard operations, and freight handling activities, progressively replacing diesel-powered fleets with cleaner alternatives.
At the heart of this initiative is U Power’s battery-swapping technology, based on its proprietary modular system. Unlike conventional plug-in charging, battery swapping allows trucks to quickly exchange depleted battery packs for fully charged units, significantly reducing vehicle downtime and increasing operational efficiency for heavy-duty transport fleets. The system will be supported by AI-driven energy management tools designed to optimise grid interaction, manage energy loads during peak and off-peak hours, and boost overall fleet performance.
The deal reflects a broader industry shift toward zero-emission logistics and supports Thailand’s ambitions to accelerate decarbonisation in freight transport. By enabling rapid energy replenishment and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, battery-swapping technology offers a practical pathway for electrifying heavy commercial vehicles, which have traditionally faced challenges with charging infrastructure and range limitations.
For U Power, the partnership represents its commercial debut in the ASEAN market and a strategic step in building a replicable model for large-scale battery-swapping deployments across the region. The company aims to leverage this collaboration to expand its footprint beyond Thailand and explore future opportunities in other Southeast Asian economies.
Whale Logistics, a major integrated logistics service provider in Thailand, brings extensive operational expertise to the project. With a network spanning key freight corridors and facilities, the company is expected to play a central role in integrating electric truck tractors into daily logistics workflows, advancing efficiency while lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation fleet.
Industry observers note that commercial battery swapping is emerging as a viable solution for heavy-duty electric vehicles, particularly in logistics and port operations where quick turnaround and high vehicle utilisation are critical. This agreement places U Power and Whale Logistics at the forefront of the region’s evolving clean transport ecosystem and sets a precedent for future collaborations between EV technology providers and logistics operators.
