Ashok Leyland Announces Major Investment in India’s Battery Ecosystem

Ashok Leyland to invest ₹5000 Cr in localized battery manufacturing with CALB partnership for EV and energy storage ecosystem in India.

Ashok Leyland, the flagship brand of the Hinduja Group, has unveiled plans to invest heavily in the development and manufacturing of next-generation batteries. The initiative will cover both automotive and non-automotive applications, including advanced energy storage systems. 

This move aligns with the Government of India’s vision for a sustainable and green economy while reinforcing Ashok Leyland’s ambition to be a key player in the country’s electrification ecosystem.

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Exclusive Partnership with CALB Group

In a strategic move, Ashok Leyland has entered into a long-term exclusive partnership with CALB Group, one of China’s foremost battery technology leaders. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Mr. Shom Hinduja, President, Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives, Hinduja Group, with signatures from Mr. Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO of Ashok Leyland, and Mr. Jacky Liu, CEO of CALB (HK) Co., Ltd.

This partnership comes amid strengthening bilateral ties and will serve as a foundation for localized battery manufacturing in India.

Investment and Scope

Ashok Leyland plans to invest over ₹5000 crore across the next 7–10 years into the battery ecosystem. The focus will extend beyond the company’s captive demand from Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility’s EV portfolio, to cater to the wider automotive sector and energy storage market.

Key areas of investment include:

• Localized manufacturing of batteries in India
• Establishment of a Global Centre of Excellence for R&D
• Innovation in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing processes

Leadership Perspectives

Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, highlighted the long-term vision, stating:

“Ashok Leyland is deeply committed to shaping the future of sustainable mobility in India in full alignment with Government’s vision. Our strategic partnership with CALB is a significant step towards creating a localised battery supply chain in India to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, added:

“In the initial phase, the new battery business shall focus on automotive sector, and then move to non-automotive areas as well, including energy storage systems. A Global Centre of Excellence will be created to foster innovation across battery technology and manufacturing.”

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A Broader Electrification Commitment

This investment marks another milestone in Ashok Leyland and Hinduja Group’s ongoing commitment towards sustainable mobility. Beyond batteries, their initiatives span electric vehicles, electric mobility-as-a-service, charging equipment, vehicle financing and leasing, and other green technology areas.

With this move, Ashok Leyland aims not only to strengthen its EV and energy storage offerings but also to establish India as a hub for advanced battery technologies, supporting the nation’s transition toward cleaner mobility solutions.