Ashok Leyland's cautious roadmap to battery manufacturing

Ashok Leyland is taking measured steps towards battery technology localization. as part of its broader electrification strategy. 

Shenu Agarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of the flagship company of Hinduja Group, stated that the first priority for Ashok Leyland is to develop in-house capabilities to design battery modules and packs using battery cells—a skill set that remains scarce in India. He spoke on the sidelines of an industry event. 

"The first thing that you need to do before you even start thinking of investing in localization of battery or battery packs, is to develop the capability in house," noted Agarwal, emphasizing that the capability is currently missing in India, as very few people here have the expertise of even creating a module or a pack from the battery cell."

He highlighted that Ashok Leyland has already begun building this internal design capability. Only after achieving sufficient proficiency in designing battery packs will the company consider investing in a manufacturing facility for battery packs. “We are open to investing, but we are determined to follow the right roadmap,” he said. The approach underscores a cautious strategy, one that avoids over-reliance on foreign technology and ensures that the company builds the necessary knowledge base domestically.

Agarwal's remarks reflect a broader trend in the Indian automotive industry, where challenges associated with developing critical technologies are well known. 

For Ashok Leyland, the goal is clear: to proceed deliberately and build a foundation that secures long-term competitiveness in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.