New Delhi: Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has unveiled plans to invest in the development and manufacturing of next-generation batteries for automotive and non-automotive applications, including energy storage systems.
The decision aligns with the central government’s vision of accelerating electrification and building a sustainable, green economy.
In a significant step towards this goal, Ashok Leyland has entered into a long-term exclusive partnership with China-based CALB Group, a global leader in battery technology.
The agreements were signed by Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO of Ashok Leyland and Jacky Liu, CEO of CALB (HK) Co. Ltd, in the presence of Shom Hinduja, President of Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives at Hinduja Group.
The company announced that it will localise battery production in India, aiming to cater not only to its own electric vehicle subsidiary, Switch Mobility, but also to the wider automotive sector and the energy storage industry. The battery business is expected to attract investments of over Rs 5,000 crore in the next 7 to 10 years.
Ashok Leyland stated that the initiative would begin with a focus on the automotive sector, before expanding into non-automotive areas such as energy storage systems. As part of the plan, a Global Centre of Excellence will be established to drive research and development in advanced battery materials, recycling, battery management systems and manufacturing processes.
This partnership strengthens Ashok Leyland’s ongoing electrification efforts under the Hinduja Group, which already spans electric vehicles, electric mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, financing and leasing solutions.
By creating a localised battery supply chain, the company aims to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in India and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
