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.