Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, has announced a long-term exclusive partnership with China’s CALB Group to manufacture batteries in India. The commercial vehicle maker said it will invest over Rs 50 billion in the venture over the next seven to ten years.

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening Ashok Leyland and its subsidiary Switch Mobility’s electric vehicle portfolio while also catering to non-captive demand in the wider automotive and energy storage sectors.

Company officials said the move marks another milestone in Ashok Leyland’s electrification journey, which spans electric vehicles, electric mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, vehicle financing and leasing.

The partnership comes in the backdrop of improving bilateral ties between India and China and is expected to accelerate localised battery production to support India’s transition towards sustainable transport and clean energy.

News source: The Hindu