Shanghai (ZXZC)- Chinese EV startup AIWAYS and Jinjiang Auto, a Shanghai-based auto service provider, entered into partnership on Jan. 5 to jointly explore environmental-friendly mobility service business.

At the same time, the first AIWAYS U5s granted operational licenses were handed over to Jinjiang Auto and will be deployed for mobility service first to offer users more convenient and intelligent travelling experience.

2021 AIWAY U5; photo credit: AIWAYS

Among Chinese EV startups, AIWAYS is currently the only one that achieves mass export to the European Union (EU) market, and it is also vigorously deploying mobility service business abroad. The first 500 European-spec AIWAYS U5s have been used to provide mobility service for commuters in Corsica, France.

In domestic market, AIWAYS has launched a self-operated mobility service platform dubbed “Fengchi Chuxing (in Chinese)” in Shangrao, Jiangxi province. It also teams up with eHi Car Services, the leading Chinese designated car service provider, co-deploying mobility service in 18 cities so far.

AIWAYS is seeking to go public on the technology-focused science and technology innovation board (STAR Market) in the second half of 2021, a local media outlet revealed in October 2020.

Responding to a request for comment, Fu Qiang, co-founder and president of AIWAYS, confirmed the market listing plan. “The sponsors have been basically firmed up, while the contract has not been signed yet,” he said.

Founded in February 2017, AIWAYS has so far raised over 7 billion yuan ($1.083 billion) from its angle round, pre-A founding round, series A and B rounds.

At the Chengdu Motor Show 2020, Fu Qiang revealed that AIWAYS was working on its fifth round of financing and had made headway. However, the company hasn't released any update to date.