By Ron Chen, Correspondent, ASEAN Region

Following the news that Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility Automotive and Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to execute e-mobility projects in India; Senior Automotive Consulting Analyst at GlobalData, Bakar Sadik Agwan, offers her view: “The partnership marks the entry of Ashok Leyland to eMobility-as-a-Service (eMaas) or shared mobility in India. Switch Mobility, the UK-based subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will bring in its expertise in manufacturing light and heavy electric commercial vehicles while Siemens will contribute its charging infrastructure technology. The partnership aims at bringing in cost-effective, affordable and sustainable e-mobility to commercial vehicle customers in India.

“Ashok Leyland plans to introduce eMaaS platform through its subsidiary OHM Global Mobility Private Ltd. in India. Presently, e-mobility as a service market is rapidly growing in India but is majorly limited to passenger cars and two-wheelers. The company’s foray into commercial shared mobility with its capability to manufacture e-buses and e-LCVs could offer significant growth opportunities.

“Conducive policies, support from central and state governments and growing EV-based business models in India offer significant potential to Ashok Leyland’s new venture. The company could benefit from the EV opportunities existing in the logistics, last-mile delivery, e-commerce and government applications.”