Ashok Leyland Charges Ahead: New Electric Vehicle Plant Inaugurated in Lucknow. The landscape of Indian manufacturing and sustainable transportation witnessed a historic milestone on January 9, 2026. Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.
The ceremony was a high-profile event attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. This facility marks a pivotal shift in the industrial identity of Uttar Pradesh, transitioning it from a traditional hub to a global leader in the next generation of green technology.
Production Capacity: Scalability at its Core Ashok Leyland Lucknow EV Plant
The Lucknow facility is designed with a scalable architecture, allowing it to ramp up output as the demand for electric vehicles surges across the Indian subcontinent.
1. Initial Phase (Current Status)
The plant currently operates with an annual capacity of 2,500 units.
Daily Output: This translates to approximately 7 to 8 vehicles per day.
Vehicle Type: The primary focus is on 17–18 seater electric buses, specifically designed for school transport, staff commuting, and inter-city shuttle services.
2. Expansion Phase (Future Growth)
The company has a clear road map to double its production within the coming years.
Annual Goal: 5,000 units per year.
Daily Output: Approximately 14 to 16 vehicles per day.
Product Mix: While buses remain a priority, this phase will see a higher production of Electric Trucks, catering to the burgeoning logistics and e-commerce sectors.
Key Advantage: The plant features Flexible Manufacturing. It is equipped to produce not only Electric Vehicles (EVs) but also vehicles powered by CNG, Hydrogen, and traditional Diesel (ICE) engines based on real-time market demand.
Ashok Leyland Lucknow EV Plant Job Creation: Boosting Employment in Uttar Pradesh
One of the most significant impacts of this ₹1,000 crore investment is the massive surge in employment opportunities for the youth of Uttar Pradesh.
Direct and Indirect Employment
The project is set to support the livelihoods of thousands of families:
Direct Jobs: Approximately 1,000 direct positions have been created at the plant for assembly, high-tech engineering, and quality control.
Indirect Jobs: Over 2,000 additional jobs are expected through the ancillary ecosystem, including logistics, the service sector, and local MSME units supplying components.
Women Empowerment: Ashok Leyland has emphasized that a significant portion of the workforce at this facility consists of women, promoting gender diversity in the heavy manufacturing sector—a field traditionally dominated by men.
Ashok Leyland new plant the 10,000-Youth Skill Development Initiative
In a visionary move, the Hinduja Group is signing an MoU with the UP Government to provide skill development training to 10,000 youth every year. This ensures that the local workforce is “future-ready” for the EV industry, teaching them high-tech skills like battery management systems (BMS), electric powertrain maintenance, and advanced automation.
Strategic Significance: A “Zero Discharge” Facility
For the first time since its founding in 1948, Ashok Leyland has established a manufacturing footprint in Uttar Pradesh. This plant, spanning 70 acres on the site of the former Scooters India, was completed in a record 18 months, proving the efficiency of the “double-engine” government’s fast-track approvals.
Key Highlights of the Facility:
Global Reach: While located in Lucknow, the products made here will serve both domestic markets and the 15+ countries where Ashok Leyland currently operates.
Green Building: The plant is a “Zero Discharge” facility. It features rooftop solar power, 100% rainwater harvesting, and battery-operated internal logistics to minimize its carbon footprint.
Cost-Efficient Mobility: The 17-seater electric buses produced here are expected to be priced around ₹15 Lakh, making them an affordable green choice for private schools and fleet operators.
Conclusion: A Greener Future Starts Here
The inauguration of the Ashok Leyland EV plant in Lucknow is a win-win for all stakeholders. For the Hinduja Group, it expands their global EV capacity. For Uttar Pradesh, it secures a spot on the global map of green manufacturing, contributing to the state’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
As the first electric bus rolls off the assembly line in Lucknow, it carries with it the hopes of a cleaner, quieter, and more prosperous India.
Quick Facts Table
Feature Details Company Ashok Leyland (Hinduja Group) Location Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, UP Investment Approximately ₹1,000 Crore Initial Production 2,500 Vehicles/Year Future Production 5,000 Vehicles/Year Direct Employment 1,000 Jobs Skill Training 10,000 Youth per year (MoU) Primary Products Electric Buses (17-18 seaters) & E-Trucks Base Price (E-Bus) Approx. ₹15 Lakh