New Delhi: On the occasion of its 75th year of operations, Ashok Leyland, leading commercial vehicle manufacturer and the flagship of the Hinduja Group, unveiled the IeV Series, the Electric Light Commercial Vehicles from Switch Mobility, through the hands of Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Ashok Leyland also showcased its latest innovation, a 9-meter Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Bus developed for the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). This marks India’s first commercially operational fuel cell bus. Additionally, the company exhibited the country’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Truck, a product of its collaboration with Reliance Industries.
Founded in 1948, Ashok Leyland plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s commercial mobility landscape and has evolved into one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country.
The IeV Series are India’s first electric commercial vehicles in their category, offering efficient and eco-friendly solutions for the last-mile transportation needs. The SWITCH IeV Series presents an attractive value proposition for MSMEs, cottage industries, and e-commerce in India, boasting of an exceptionally low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) along with a commitment to high uptime.
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility, described the company’s 75-year journey as a tale of transformation and innovation. He expressed excitement for the future and renewed the company’s commitment to shaping the future of the commercial vehicle industry while supporting India’s economic development.
Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, emphasized the company’s history of redefining industry standards and its commitment to pioneering sustainable transportation solutions. He said the 75th-anniversary celebration not only recognizes the company’s past achievements but also signifies its determination to continue shaping the future of mobility.
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, hailed the launch of the SWITCH IeV Series as a defining moment for the company, underscoring its dedication to driving positive change in the industry.
As part of the 75th-anniversary celebrations, Ashok Leyland launched the ‘Dream Drive’ initiative, involving 10 Ashok Leyland vehicles embarking on five different routes across the country, culminating at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plants.
This initiative allowed Ashok Leyland to engage with its extensive network of customers, dealers, suppliers, and other partners, expressing gratitude for their contributions. Another drive, ‘Manzil ka Safar,’ featuring the iconic Stallion defense vehicles, covered over 4000 km from Kanyakumari to Leh, recognizing the company’s enduring partnership with the Indian defence forces.
