Towards the end of the previous year, Ashok Leyland made a significant entry into the large-scale electric vehicle market with the introduction of its Boss electric truck. This truck boasts a substantial range of 230 kilometres and offers various load configurations, capable of handling up to 12.5 tonnes. Sanjeev Kumar, President of MHCV at Ashok Leyland, noted that major e-commerce companies such as Flipkart and Amazon are the primary customers for these electric trucks, mainly to achieve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.
In addition to its focus on electric trucks, Ashok Leyland is exploring liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative power source. Currently, the contribution of LNG-powered vehicles to the company’s overall production is minimal, largely due to the nascent LNG infrastructure in India. Nevertheless, the company anticipates growth in this segment as it aligns with future emission standards and promises lower operational costs compared to traditional petrol and diesel options.
Despite existing demand, Ashok Leyland is proceeding with caution in this segment, anticipating that a surge in demand will coincide with the full development of the necessary charging infrastructure. Gulf Oil, a sister company, is investing in the development of charging infrastructure, and Ashok Leyland plans to collaborate with them in the future to create a comprehensive ecosystem.
The company aims to sell 500 units of both electric and LNG vehicles in the current fiscal year. One of the main challenges in achieving higher sales figures is the total cost of ownership, with the initial purchase price of electric vehicles being significantly higher—nearly two to three times that of diesel or CNG-powered models.
