Ashok Leyland Drives into the Future with Hydrogen and Electric Trucks

Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, announced on October 07, 2024, that it plans to launch its first hydrogen-powered truck within the next 18-24 months. 

Earlier, in February, Ashok Leyland and Reliance Industries (RIL) introduced India’s first heavy-duty truck powered by a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE). The company also mentioned that its Lucknow plant will become operational by the third quarter of the next financial year.

Additionally, Ashok Leyland started delivering the largest single order of electric trucks in India to Billion Electric Mobility, part of Group BillionE. The order includes 180 electric vehicles, such as the Boss Electric Truck and about 45 AVTR 55T electric tractors, which will be used on routes between Chennai, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada. 

Currently, the company is producing electric trucks on a small scale but plans to set up dedicated assembly lines for electric and alternative energy trucks at its Hosur plant in the future.

Shenu Agarwal, managing director and CEO of Ashok Leyland, expressed pride in the company’s partnership with the BillionE Group as they began delivering the AVTR 55T Electric Tractor and BOSS ICV Electric trucks. 

He highlighted that both the BOSS and AVTR electric models come with advanced features, giving them superior performance. Agarwal also pointed out that the BOSS Electric is India’s first and only electric truck in the ICV segment, while the AVTR 55T Electric Tractor is the first 4×2 electric tractor offered by an Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer. He reaffirmed Ashok Leyland’s commitment to driving innovation and leading the transition to green mobility with cutting-edge technology and a great customer experience.

Ashok Leyland’s newly launched vehicles are designed for top-notch performance, safety, and efficiency. The battery packs are placed at the frame level to work well with commonly used trailers and superstructures and have IP67 protection to guard against water and dust. These vehicles come with advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) to improve safety. They also feature dual-gun charging for faster recharging and use the Common Charging Standard 2 (CCS2), which is widely accepted. 

The delivery of these electric vehicles marks a major step in Ashok Leyland’s goal to transform commercial transportation. The company is dedicated to providing eco-friendly mobility solutions and leading the future of sustainable commercial vehicles with advanced technology, helping reduce India’s transportation carbon footprint.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.