Ashok Leyland Partners with China’s CALB to Build EV Battery Skills

30 Sep 2025 CW Team

Initially, Ashok Leyland will import cells from CALB while learning to assemble them into battery packs. The company plans to progressively gain the capability to design and manufacture lithium-ion batteries domestically, according to CEO Shenu Agarwal.

The collaboration, if successful, could serve as a model for other Indian conglomerates, such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and the JSW Group, which are pursuing similar partnerships with Chinese battery firms. India aims to leverage Chinese expertise to accelerate green energy adoption while maintaining strategic self-reliance.

Agarwal said, “We are not really an EV player if 70 per cent of the components come from outside,” signalling plans to partner with additional firms to master the battery value chain. As part of the CALB tie-up, Ashok Leyland intends to invest more than Rs 50 billion ($563 million) over seven to ten years to produce next-generation batteries for vehicles and energy storage systems.

Initially, CALB will supply cells while Ashok Leyland focuses on developing pack-assembly expertise, including thermal management and software integration, under CALB guidance. The company is taking a cautious, phased approach, noting that process efficiency is as critical as technology in battery production.

Ashok Leyland aims to supply battery packs for its own vehicles first, then expand to other automakers, including two- and three-wheelers, as well as grid-scale storage, within two to three years. The company also plans an India-based research and development hub for battery innovation, packaging, and materials science, with CALB providing supportive guidance.

The long-term goal is to fully design and develop lithium-ion cells in India, a milestone expected to take at least five years. Agarwal emphasised that the phased learning strategy will position Ashok Leyland ahead of rivals that rushed into cell manufacturing.

India is projected to become the world’s third-largest battery market, with demand expected to grow 19-fold by 2035, according to BloombergNEF.

Ashok Leyland Ltd., the flagship firm of the billionaire Hinduja family, is collaborating with China’s third-largest battery maker, CALB Group Co., to gradually master lithium-ion cell technology. The Chennai-based truck and bus manufacturer signed a 20-year agreement with CALB earlier this month.Initially, Ashok Leyland will import cells from CALB while learning to assemble them into battery packs. The company plans to progressively gain the capability to design and manufacture lithium-ion batteries domestically, according to CEO Shenu Agarwal.The collaboration, if successful, could serve as a model for other Indian conglomerates, such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and the JSW Group, which are pursuing similar partnerships with Chinese battery firms. India aims to leverage Chinese expertise to accelerate green energy adoption while maintaining strategic self-reliance.Agarwal said, “We are not really an EV player if 70 per cent of the components come from outside,” signalling plans to partner with additional firms to master the battery value chain. As part of the CALB tie-up, Ashok Leyland intends to invest more than Rs 50 billion ($563 million) over seven to ten years to produce next-generation batteries for vehicles and energy storage systems.Initially, CALB will supply cells while Ashok Leyland focuses on developing pack-assembly expertise, including thermal management and software integration, under CALB guidance. The company is taking a cautious, phased approach, noting that process efficiency is as critical as technology in battery production.Ashok Leyland aims to supply battery packs for its own vehicles first, then expand to other automakers, including two- and three-wheelers, as well as grid-scale storage, within two to three years. The company also plans an India-based research and development hub for battery innovation, packaging, and materials science, with CALB providing supportive guidance.The long-term goal is to fully design and develop lithium-ion cells in India, a milestone expected to take at least five years. Agarwal emphasised that the phased learning strategy will position Ashok Leyland ahead of rivals that rushed into cell manufacturing.India is projected to become the world’s third-largest battery market, with demand expected to grow 19-fold by 2035, according to BloombergNEF.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..