Ashok Leyland Charges Ahead: Groundbreaking for New Battery Pack Plant in Tamil Nadu
“This facility will enable us to build advanced battery pack solutions with greater efficiency, safety and reliability while supporting the battery supply chain localisation. It will also contribute to developing specialized talent and creating new opportunities in high-technology manufacturing within Tamil Nadu." - Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO - Ashok Leyland
March 2026 : Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group and a titan in the Indian commercial vehicle sector, officially broke ground on a new greenfield battery pack manufacturing facility in Pillaipakkam, near Chennai, on March 11, 2026. This move marks a pivotal shift in the company’s strategy to localize the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and spearhead India’s transition to sustainable transport.
The project involves an investment of ₹400–500 crore, forming part of a larger commitment by the Hinduja Group following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2025. The ceremony was led by Thiru M.K. Stalin, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, alongside Thiru T. R. B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, and Ashok Leyland’s top leadership.
The Pillaipakkam facility is designed to align with Tamil Nadu’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2023 and India’s broader "National Mission on Transformative Mobility." By localizing battery production, Ashok Leyland aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its burgeoning electric lineup, which includes products from its subsidiary, Switch Mobility.
Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland, highlighted the company's deep-rooted connection to the region: "Our journey has been closely intertwined with the growth of Tamil Nadu for more than seven decades. Ashok Leyland, along with its subsidiary, Switch Mobility, have already developed a vast range of electric Commercial Vehicles, and have taken a lead position in the EV market. The groundbreaking of the new battery pack manufacturing facility marks an important step in our electric mobility journey and reinforces our commitment to building a strong domestic EV ecosystem."
Ashok Leyland’s footprint in Tamil Nadu now spans nine facilities and over 800 acres. This latest investment adds to the ₹9,000 crore the company has poured into the state since 1948, supporting over 37,000 jobs.
Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, emphasized the technical significance of the new plant: "Battery pack technology is central to the future of electric mobility and energy storage. This facility will enable us to build advanced battery pack solutions with greater efficiency, safety and reliability while supporting the battery supply chain localisation. It will also contribute to developing specialized talent and creating new opportunities in high-technology manufacturing within Tamil Nadu."
With this facility, Ashok Leyland isn't just building batteries; it is anchoring Tamil Nadu’s status as the "Detroit of South Asia" for the electric age.
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