Meituan Rolls Out Power Bank Service in London, Marking European Debut
Meituan is expanding its international footprint into Europe for the first time, launching its Keeta-branded power bank rental service in London as the Chinese technology giant accelerates a multi-front global push.
The service, named Keeta Bank Power, has gone live in the UK capital, according to the company. The move targets a growing demand for on-the-go charging solutions, particularly among tourists. This European debut underscores a broader strategy that has recently seen the company expand its food delivery and other services across Asia and the Middle East.
The European launch represents a significant new market for Meituan, which is seeking to replicate its domestic success overseas. It follows the company’s April rollout of its power bank business in Hong Kong, its first directly operated oversea site for the service. The expansion comes as Meituan simultaneously widens the reach of its Keeta food delivery app into Qatar, its second market in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia.
For investors, the move signals Meituan's ambition to build new revenue streams outside of its highly competitive home market. By entering the underserved European power bank rental sector, the company is positioning itself to capture a share of a growing industry with attractive unit economics compared to the domestic Chinese market.
London Rollout Targets Tourist Demand
The London service is designed for what Keeta’s UK market head calls “people on the move,” with a clear focus on tourists who may have forgotten their own portable chargers. The pricing structure has been set at £2.99 (approximately 28 yuan or US$3.90) per hour following a free initial 10-minute period.
A daily price cap of £12 is in place, and users who fail to return a device within 48 hours will be charged a £25 fee. The business model incentivizes adoption by local merchants, such as convenience stores, which receive a 20% commission from each transaction for hosting the rental stations.
Chasing a High-Growth Market
Meituan is entering a global power bank market that is projected to grow significantly. According to data from Research And Markets, the market was valued at US10.7 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach US10.7 billion in2022 and is forecast to reach US16.3 billion by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.27%.
Europe, which accounted for 19.42% of the global market in 2024, presents a particularly compelling opportunity. The region suffers from a low penetration of shared charging services, creating "power deserts" in high-traffic tourist spots and transportation hubs. This contrasts with high potential demand, including from over five million Chinese tourists who visit Europe annually, many of whom are accustomed to carrying their own power banks due to the lack of rental options. Furthermore, the average transaction price in Europe is substantially higher than in China, often ranging from €30 to €50.