Ashok Leyland revs up plans for electric vehicles, sets up subsidiary

Ashok Leyland through its subsidiary Switch Mobility Ltd, the UK- based producer of electric buses and vans, has announced its global expansion plans into India and a plan to create two subsidiary companies.  

The first, Switch Mobility Automotive, is being formed to carry on the EV strategy in India, which forms part of its global entity. Switch Mobility Automotive brings together Ashok Leyland’s capabilities both from Optare UK and Ashok Leyland’s EV Division.

The second subsidiary is OHM Global Mobility, which will focus on providing Mobility as a Service offering.OHM Global Mobility is a solutions company being piloted in India with ambitious plans to roll out Mobility as a Service (eMaaS) globally. Together, this will provide a net carbon zero emission solution to India’s trend towards EV urban buses and LCVs, the company said. 

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility, said, “Switch Mobility Automotive will help us fulfil our aspiration of zero carbon emission transportation. With a strong presence and proven expertise in the commercial vehicle market in India and the experience of operating a large number of electric vehicles successfully in India and the UK, we see huge opportunities for growth through Switch’s expansion in Indian and Global markets.”

Vipin Sondhi, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, added: “Creating Switch Mobility Automotive India and OHM Global Mobility will give us the ability to drive the sustainability agenda which Ashok Leyland is passionate about. It will combine our consumer centric approach with the expertise in technology that the new entities will bring to the table”

“Through OHM Global Mobility, we believe we can accelerate the transition to net zero carbon mobility in buses and vans. This offering is not only extremely comprehensive in India, but is also world-leading and will provide a robust model of business that can be leveraged by Switch in all its markets,” said Dr Andrew Palmer, Vice-Chairman, Switch Mobility.