Ashok Leyland to Invest Rs 50 Billion in Battery Ecosystem

02 Sep 2025 CW Team

CALB Group specialises in lithium battery technology, including battery materials, management systems, and integrated energy products. The collaboration will focus on localising battery production in India to reduce import reliance and accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

The initial investment will prioritise supporting Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility’s growing EV portfolios. However, the strategy also includes catering to broader industry demand—extending beyond captive use to serve other automotive players and the wider energy storage sector.

“Ashok Leyland is deeply committed to shaping the future of sustainable mobility in alignment with the government’s vision,” said Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland. “Our partnership with CALB marks a major step in developing a local battery supply chain to cut fossil fuel dependency.”

Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal stated that while the new venture will initially target automotive needs, it will gradually expand into the energy storage domain. The company also plans to establish a Global Centre of Excellence to lead research and development in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

This battery investment complements the Hinduja Group’s broader clean mobility strategy, which includes electric vehicles, e-mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, and financing solutions.

Ashok Leyland is currently India’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and ranks as the world’s fourth-largest bus maker. The firm is actively diversifying into electric, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicles as part of its long-term sustainability agenda.

Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, has announced plans to invest over Rs 50 billion in the battery ecosystem over the next 7 to 10 years. The initiative is part of a long-term exclusive partnership with China’s CALB Group, and aims to support both automotive and non-automotive battery applications, including energy storage systems.CALB Group specialises in lithium battery technology, including battery materials, management systems, and integrated energy products. The collaboration will focus on localising battery production in India to reduce import reliance and accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption.The initial investment will prioritise supporting Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility’s growing EV portfolios. However, the strategy also includes catering to broader industry demand—extending beyond captive use to serve other automotive players and the wider energy storage sector.“Ashok Leyland is deeply committed to shaping the future of sustainable mobility in alignment with the government’s vision,” said Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland. “Our partnership with CALB marks a major step in developing a local battery supply chain to cut fossil fuel dependency.”Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal stated that while the new venture will initially target automotive needs, it will gradually expand into the energy storage domain. The company also plans to establish a Global Centre of Excellence to lead research and development in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.This battery investment complements the Hinduja Group’s broader clean mobility strategy, which includes electric vehicles, e-mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, and financing solutions.Ashok Leyland is currently India’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and ranks as the world’s fourth-largest bus maker. The firm is actively diversifying into electric, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicles as part of its long-term sustainability agenda.

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..