Investment Phases and Expected Impact

Phase one focuses on automotive batteries. Non-automotive areas follow, like ESS.​ The partnership cuts import reliance. It builds a local supply chain for EVs.​ India’s battery market hits USD 12.68 billion in 2025. It grows at 10.59% CAGR to USD 20.97 billion by 2030.​ EV battery demand triples in 2025. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) output reaches 377,000 units.​ Ashok Leyland eyes 1 MW fast charging for heavy EVs. Battery swapping pilots aid uptime.​ Switch Mobility, now 100% Ashok Leyland-owned, turns profitable. It shifts UK bus output to UAE.​

Read related: www.batterynews.in/india-ev-battery-localisation-push | www.batterynews.in/switch-mobility-ev-growth

Backgrounder: India’s Battery Sector Landscape

India’s battery capacity nears 60 GWh now. It eyes 100 GWh by 2026.​ The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) totals ₹18,100 crore for 50 GWh. It allocates 40 GWh already.​ Renewables hit 250 GW in 2025, targeting 500 GW by 2030. ESS needs 200 GWh.​ PLI-ACC aids EVs, electronics, rail, defence, and storage. Localisation tackles raw material imports.​ EV sales topped 2 million in 2024. FAME schemes boost uptake. Fuel costs and air quality drive shifts.​ Challenges persist in cell tech and materials. Sodium-ion batteries emerge as lithium alternatives.​ CALB excels in U-structure tabless cells. These cut resistance by 50%. They enable 6C charging.​

Recent moves include Hyundai’s 92% localisation. Maruti plans 100,000 chargers. Andhra orders 1,000 EV buses.​ PLI faces delays, but expansions target 10 more GWh.​  “Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said: ‘Our strategic partnership with CALB creates a localised battery supply chain. This accelerates EV adoption. It reduces fossil fuel dependence.’”​

“Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO, added: ‘The initial phase targets automotive. It expands to ESS later. A Global Centre of Excellence fosters innovation.’”​