Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has announced plans to invest Rs 50 billion over the next 7 to 10 years to develop and manufacture next-generation batteries. These batteries will cater to both automotive and non-automotive applications, including energy storage systems.

As part of this initiative, the company has entered a long-term exclusive partnership with CALB Group, a leading Chinese battery technology firm. The agreements were signed by Ashok Leyland’s Managing Director and CEO, Shenu Agarwal, and CALB (HK) Co., Ltd CEO, Jacky Liu, in the presence of Shom Hinduja, President of Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives at the Hinduja Group.

This investment underscores Ashok Leyland’s ambition to be a key contributor to India’s electrification ecosystem, in line with the Government’s push for a sustainable and green economy. The battery localisation strategy will support not only Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility’s EV portfolio, but also cater to third-party demand across India’s automotive and energy storage sectors.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland, remarked, “We are fully aligned with the Government’s vision for sustainable mobility. This strategic partnership with CALB will help establish a localised battery supply chain, reducing fossil fuel dependency and accelerating EV adoption in India.”

The initial phase will focus on the automotive segment, gradually expanding into energy storage applications. A Global Centre of Excellence will be established to drive R&D in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

This announcement marks a significant milestone in the Hinduja Group’s broader electrification strategy, which spans electric vehicles, mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, vehicle financing, and leasing solutions. The move positions Ashok Leyland as a central player in building India’s future-ready electric mobility landscape.