has launched its new Neta U model for the cab market in Jinan, Shandong province, which will use Aulton's battery swap stations.

The battery swap model is considered best suited for the cab market, and now Chinese electric vehicle startup Neta Automobile has launched its product for it.

Neta has launched its new Neta U model for the cab market in Jinan, in eastern China's Shandong province, local automotive outlet Xchuxing reported today.

The model supports battery swap, and Neta has partnered with battery swap station operator Aulton, according to the report.

(Image credit: Xchuxing)

Neta is the electric vehicle brand of Hozon Auto, which was founded in October 2014. The first Neta model was launched in November 2018.

Neta currently offers three models in China, the Neta V, Neta V Pro, and Neta U Pro, all starting at under RMB 100,000 ($15,700).

Aulton is one of the largest battery swap station operators in China, but it has not released an updated number of that facility. Previous media reports said it had 344 battery swap stations as of July 2021.

Last May, Aulton Chairman Cai Dongqing said the company was aiming to have 10,000 battery swap stations by 2025.

Aulton is targeting the cab market and has already partnered with a number of car companies, including BAIC, FAW and SAIC.

In a research report released last week, CITIC Securities said that the rapid growth of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry will accelerate the development of the charging and battery swap industry, and it is expected that the energy replenishment method in the next five years will still be mainly charging, and supplemented by battery swap.

Driven by capital, vehicle companies and policies, the application of battery swap mode in some high-end passenger cars and operational vehicles will accelerate significantly, the team said.

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