** Battery technology firm U Power's UCAR.O shares rise 8.5% to $3.06 premarket
** Co says it has signed a joint venture agreement between its Thai subsidiary, U SWAP, and SUSCO SUSCO.BK, an energy provider with a network of fueling stations throughout Thailand
** Says JV will deploy U Power's UOTTA battery-swapping technology across SUSCO's station network
** UCAR says strategic partnership is to address rapid EV growth driven by government policy changes in Thailand
** Up to last close, shares down 57.5% YTD
(Reporting by Tanay Dhumal in Bengaluru)
((Tanay.Dhumal@thomsonreuters.com; Twitter: https://twitter.com/TanayDhumal))