14 Feb 2022
Good news for medium truck users. Ashok Leyland claims that it will introduce an electric medium truck range by 2025.
Ashok Leyland, the third-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, is working on a medium-range of electric vehicles (EVs) in the commercial vehicle (CV) segment, which would be launched by 2025, the company commented.
The company will likely launch an electric version of Dost (light commercial vehicle) in the fourth quarter of 2022. Apart from electric vehicles, Ashok Leyland is also working on alternative fuel options for its commercial vehicle segment, according to the top official.
Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Medium and Heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) business of Ashok Leyland, said, “We have a partner company called “SWITCH” which deals with all the smaller EVs and buses which are currently working on ICV (intermediate commercial vehicle) EVs. We are preparing ourselves for all types of alternative fuels. We should have all the technologies available off the shelf, and when the infrastructure and ecosystem are created, we can provide.”
Last week, Ashok Leyland completed the sale of its EV business to Switch Mobility Automotive, its EV arm, for a consideration of Rs 240 crore.
The company has earned Rs 96 crores from the EV business transfer, and the EMaaS (Electric Mobility-as-a-Service) business is pending regulatory and other approvals.
Sanjeev Kumar also clarified that while CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LPG (Liquid Natural Gas) are available now, it may take some time to adopt an electric option in high tonnage trucks.
He said, “My own sense is that electric will be there in small vehicles and ICV range. But, higher tonnage trucks will take some time to shift electrically. After CNG, we may see progress in LPG as it is growing very fast in Europe and China.”
Recently, the company introduced the Ecomet Star ICV CNG range with two options of 16.1 tonnes and 14.250 tonnes with three CNG cylinder options - 360/480/570 litres. The range gives around 700 km range.
According to Sanjeev Kumar, the share of CNG commercial vehicles has grown a lot over the last 2 years, especially since the government has focused on creating more CNG infrastructure across the country. The maximum CNG was available in Gujarat, Maharashtra and North India, but now it is spreading throughout the country. He added that CNG trucks form around 10% of the market, the remaining 90% in diesel, and around 40% in the ICV range.
Market Scenario
If we talk about the overall market scenario, especially with sales in the last two years, which have turned red because of the pandemic and semiconductor shortage, Kumar said it might continue for some more time, but demand is coming back.
The company sold 7,561 units of M&HCV in January 2022, a growth of 11% against 6,839 units in January 2021.
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