Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer celebrated its 75th year of operations. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, unveiled the IeV Series, an electric light commercial vehicle series from the company’s EV arm, Switch Mobility. The IeV Series aims to provide efficient and eco-friendly solutions for last-mile transportation needs.
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility speaking on the occasion said, “Ashok Leyland’s 75-year journey is a story of transformation and innovation. As we celebrate this milestone, we look ahead to the future with excitement and determination and renew our pledge to further shape the future of the CV Industry. We have set our sights on pioneering sustainable transportation solutions and aim to support India’s economic development for years to come”.
The Switch IeV Series (IeV 3 and IeV 4) claims a range of up to 300 kilometers of operation in a day (with Opportunity Charging) and boasts a payload capacity of up to 1.7 tons. It incorporates the Switch iON system, offering various features that provide vehicle information, real-time insights into the vehicle’s position, operating route, trip history, and the condition of EV aggregates, among others. All of these features contribute to more efficient operations and easier driving. Equipped with a 330 V High Voltage EV Architecture, the IeV Series sets a new standard in the 2~3.5T commercial vehicle category for efficiency and performance. These vehicles also feature a spacious cargo body that can extend up to 9.7 feet, accommodating up to 340 cubic feet of containers.
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, speaking on the reveal said, “The unveiling of our SWITCH IeV Series electric vehicles is a defining moment for SWITCH, having established a strong reputation in the e-bus market. With the SWITCH iON Standard at its core, a versatile range of options, diverse charging solutions, exceptional performance, and operational ease as its hallmark, the Switch IeV Series is a testament of our dedication to driving positive change in the industry”.
As part of its 75th-anniversary celebrations, Ashok Leyland also launched a new initiative – ‘Dream Drive’ – a journey across the length and breadth of the country, with 10 Ashok Leyland vehicles driven on five different routes, culminating at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plants today.