Ashok Leyland Targets Import Reduction to Support India’s Growing EV Industry

By Amit Jangra | Published Date : September 17, 2025

Ashok Leyland partners with CALB Group to reduce imports by assembling EV battery packs locally, aiming to boost India’s electric truck production.

There’s a big shift happening at Ashok Leyland. The company’s looking to cut down on importing parts for its electric trucks, especially batteries which, believe it or not, can take up nearly half the cost of the whole vehicle. Bringing more of this production to India could be a game-changer.

Why does this matter? Well, global supply chains can be tricky. Prices go up, delays happen and relying too much on overseas parts leaves you vulnerable. So, Ashok Leyland’s new direction aims to keep production steady and costs under control and that’s great news for India’s growing EV sector.

Local Battery Assembly: A Key Step Forward

Table of Contents

1. Local Battery Assembly: A Key Step Forward

2. Electric Trucks Are Already On the Road

3. What the CEO Says

4. Not Rushing, But Building Smart

5. In Summary

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Ashok Leyland is teaming up with CALB Group, a well-known battery maker from China, to take a big step forward. They’re starting by putting together lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs right here in India. That’s just the beginning. Down the line, the plan is to actually make the whole battery cells and some other important parts locally.

Why LFP? It’s known for safety and stability — ideal for commercial vehicles. More importantly, local assembly helps reduce costs and wait times, which benefits fleet operators and buyers alike.

Electric Trucks Are Already On the Road

The company has rolled out electric trucks designed for heavy-duty tasks — such as transporting cement, FMCG items and goods to markets. Plus, these trucks include regenerative braking, a system that saves energy and boosts road safety.

Word on the street is that major players like Adani are interested. There are talks of them potentially buying up to 2,000 electric trucks from Ashok Leyland. If that happens, these vehicles would likely be used in mining sites, at ports and for large-scale industrial logistics.

What the CEO Says

Shenu Agarwal, the CEO of Ashok Leyland, recently shared that EVs currently make up less than 1% of India’s commercial vehicle market. Still, he sees this changing rapidly — especially with large fleet orders and increased awareness of lower operating costs.

He emphasized that while the upfront cost of electric trucks is still higher than diesel, the real savings come from running them. Businesses can save 50–60% on operational costs — a game-changer for transport companies.

Not Rushing, But Building Smart

Instead of going all-in too fast, the company is choosing a more measured approach. It’s investing gradually, scaling up as technology improves. And it’s not just focused on electric — Ashok Leyland is also exploring clean alternatives like LNG and hydrogen fuel for future vehicles.

Beyond India, the company is looking at markets in the Gulf, Africa, Southeast Asia and SAARC nations, where demand for cleaner transportation could rise faster than expected.

In Summary

Ashok Leyland is playing the long game. By reducing import dependence and starting local battery assembly, it’s preparing to lead India’s commercial EV shift. This not only supports local manufacturing but also helps keep EV truck costs down — a win for transporters and fleet owners alike.

Whether it’s through smart partnerships, better cost control, or expanding into new fuel types, Ashok Leyland is quietly building the backbone for electric trucking in India — and possibly beyond.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Vehicles

1. What is Ashok Leyland’s strategy to grow its electric truck business?

Ans: They aim to reduce dependence on imported parts by assembling EV battery packs locally and gradually increasing local manufacturing.

2. Who is Ashok Leyland’s partner for battery production?

Ans: Ashok Leyland has partnered with China-based CALB Group, a major battery technology company.

3. What markets is Ashok Leyland targeting beyond India?

Ans: They are exploring opportunities in the Gulf, Africa, Southeast Asia and SAARC countries.

4. What alternative fuel options is Ashok Leyland considering?

Ans: Besides electric vehicles, the company is looking into LNG and hydrogen fuel technologies for commercial vehicles.

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