Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has announced the groundbreaking of a greenfield battery pack manufacturing facility at Pillaipakkam, near Chennai. This project, with an investment of Rs 4–5 billion, is part of the Hinduja Group’s earlier MOU signed in September 2025. The new facility is aligned with Tamil Nadu’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2023, the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, and India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Thiru M K Stalin, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, unveiled the foundation plaque, accompanied by Thiru T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, along with other key dignitaries, including Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland.

The new battery pack manufacturing facility represents a strategic move to localise EV battery pack production, strengthen India’s electric mobility supply chain, and create employment and skill development opportunities in Tamil Nadu. This move further enhances the state’s position as a hub for next-generation automotive manufacturing and EV innovation.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman of Ashok Leyland, said, "Our journey has been intertwined with the growth of Tamil Nadu for over seven decades. Ashok Leyland, alongside its subsidiary Switch Mobility, has developed a wide range of electric commercial vehicles and is taking a lead in the EV market. The groundbreaking of this facility marks a key step in our EV journey and strengthens our commitment to building a strong domestic EV ecosystem."

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, stated, "Battery pack technology is central to the future of electric mobility and energy storage. This facility will enable us to develop advanced battery pack solutions with greater efficiency, safety, and reliability while supporting the localisation of the battery supply chain. It will also contribute to skill development and new opportunities in high-tech manufacturing within Tamil Nadu."

Ashok Leyland has been rooted in Tamil Nadu’s industrial growth for over 77 years. Since its first manufacturing facility in Ennore in 1948, the company has expanded to nine facilities, investing over Rs 90 billion in Tamil Nadu, creating over 37,000 jobs, and contributing significantly to the state’s emergence as a leading automotive and industrial hub.

This milestone marks another step towards a cleaner, smarter future of mobility, proudly built in Tamil Nadu, supporting the global transition to sustainable transportation.