Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of India’s largest commercial vehicle makers, announced plans to invest over ?5,000 crore in developing and manufacturing next-generation batteries for automotive and non-automotive applications, including energy storage systems. The investment will be spread over the next 7–10 years and aligns with the government’s vision of building a sustainable, green economy.

As part of this initiative, Ashok Leyland has entered into a long-term exclusive partnership with China-based CALB Group, a leading global battery technology company. The agreement was signed by Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, and Jacky Liu, CEO of CALB (HK) Co. Ltd, in the presence of Shom Hinduja, President, Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives, Hinduja Group.

The company said the new business will initially focus on meeting the battery requirements of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility’s EV portfolio, before expanding into the broader automotive and energy storage markets. A Global Centre of Excellence will also be established in India to drive R&D in advanced battery materials, recycling, management systems, and manufacturing processes.

Commenting on the development, Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja said, “Our strategic partnership with CALB marks a significant step towards building a localized battery supply chain to accelerate EV adoption and reduce fossil fuel dependence in India.”

This initiative further strengthens Ashok Leyland’s push into electrification, complementing its ongoing investments across EVs, mobility-as-a-service, charging infrastructure, vehicle financing, and leasing solutions.