Ashok Leyland and CALB Tie Up for ₹5,000 Cr EV Battery Project
The collaboration will develop next-gen EV and energy storage batteries, focusing on localizing India’s supply chain
Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja Group and India’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has entered into a long-term exclusive partnership with China’s CALB Group, a leading battery technology company. This collaboration aims to develop next-generation batteries for both automotive and non-automotive applications, including energy storage systems. The partnership reflects improving ties between the two countries.
Under this agreement, Ashok Leyland plans to invest over ₹5,000 crore over the next seven to ten years to develop and manufacture advanced batteries. This initiative will support Ashok Leyland and its subsidiary Switch's electric vehicle portfolio and also cater to demand across the wider automotive sector and energy storage industry.
Additionally, the company intends to establish a Global Centre of Excellence that will focus on research and development related to battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing processes. This move aims to create a localized battery supply chain in India, accelerating electric vehicle adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
The partnership was formalized through agreements signed by Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO of Ashok Leyland, and Jacky Liu, CEO of CALB (HK) Co., Ltd., in the presence of Shom Hinduja, President of Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives at the Hinduja Group.
This initiative marks a significant step in Ashok Leyland’s ongoing commitment to electrification, covering investments in electric vehicles, electric mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, vehicle financing, and leasing.