Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of India’s top commercial vehicle makers, is gearing up for a big leap into the battery business. The company announced plans to invest heavily in developing and manufacturing next-generation batteries—not just for vehicles, but also for energy storage and other non-automotive uses.
This move aligns with the government’s push for clean energy and a greener economy, while also strengthening Ashok Leyland’s ambition to become a key player in India’s electric mobility ecosystem.
Ties Up with China’s CALB Group
In a major step forward, Ashok Leyland has entered into a long-term, exclusive partnership with CALB Group, one of China’s leading battery technology companies. The collaboration comes at a time when India-China trade ties are improving, and it positions Ashok Leyland to localize battery production right here in India.
The investment, over ₹5,000 crore in the next 7–10 years, will support Ashok Leyland and its EV arm Switch Mobility. But the batteries won’t just power their own electric vehicles. The company also plans to supply to the wider auto industry and the fast-growing energy storage sector.
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland, said, “We are deeply committed to shaping the future of sustainable mobility in India, fully aligned with the government’s vision. Our partnership with CALB is a big step towards creating a localized battery supply chain, which will speed up EV adoption and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”
Adding to this, Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, explained the roadmap, “In the initial phase, the new battery business will focus on the automotive sector. Later, it will expand into non-automotive areas such as energy storage systems. We will also set up a Global Centre of Excellence to drive R&D in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing.”
