Ashok Leyland Breaks Ground on ₹500 Cr EV Battery Pack Manufacturing Plant Near Chennai

Chennai, March 11, 2026: Ashok Leyland, the flagship commercial vehicle maker of the Hinduja Group, has announced the groundbreaking of a greenfield battery pack manufacturing facility at Pillaipakkam, marking a major step in strengthening India’s electric mobility ecosystem.

The upcoming facility will involve an investment of ₹400–500 crore and forms part of the broader EV investments announced by the Hinduja Group under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2025. The project also aligns with the Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicle Policy 2023, the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, and India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Foundation Laid by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

The foundation plaque for the new plant was unveiled by M. K. Stalin. The ceremony was also attended by T. R. B. Rajaa, along with officials from Guidance Tamil Nadu, representatives from State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, and senior leadership from Ashok Leyland.

Strengthening India’s EV Supply Chain

The upcoming battery pack manufacturing plant is expected to play a key role in localising EV battery pack production and strengthening India’s electric vehicle supply chain. The facility will also support the development of advanced battery technologies for electric commercial vehicles while creating employment opportunities and specialised skills in high-tech manufacturing.

Commenting on the development, Dheeraj Hinduja said the project represents a significant milestone in the company’s EV journey.

“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, has already developed a wide range of electric commercial vehicles and established a strong presence in the EV market. The groundbreaking of this battery pack facility reinforces our commitment to building a strong domestic EV ecosystem,” he said.

Focus on Advanced Battery Technology

According to Shenu Agarwal, battery pack technology will be a crucial driver of the future of electric mobility and energy storage.

He noted that the new facility will help the company develop advanced battery pack solutions with improved efficiency, safety, and reliability, while supporting localisation of the EV battery supply chain in India.

Ashok Leyland’s Long Industrial Legacy in Tamil Nadu

For more than 77 years, Ashok Leyland has played a major role in Tamil Nadu’s industrial development. The company established its first manufacturing facility in Ennore in 1948 and has since expanded its operations to nine manufacturing facilities across over 800 acres in the state.

Over the decades, the company has invested more than ₹9,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, creating over 37,000 jobs and contributing significantly to the state’s emergence as one of India’s leading automotive manufacturing hubs.