Ashok Leyland and IIT Madras take Battery Electric Truck awareness nationwide with the 40-city demonstration drive

Chennai, 29th September 2026: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) at IIT Madras, commenced its nationwide ‘GET ZET - Electric Truck Awareness to Acceptance’ initiative from Chennai. The initiative will be conducted across 40 cities between September 2026 and February 2027, bringing together stakeholders of commercial vehicle ecosystem to build awareness, foster confidence and accelerate the adoption of zero- emission freight transportation solutions.

The initiative will cover key logistics hubs and industrial corridors across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The events will bring together a diverse set of stakeholders, including fleet owners, logistics operators, financiers, load providers, infrastructure partners, policymakers and industry experts. Through a series of interactive awareness and demonstration events, Ashok Leyland & CoEZET aims to facilitate meaningful conversations around the opportunities, challenges and evolving ecosystem required to enable the transition towards zero-emission commercial transportation.

As part of the initiative, participants will have the opportunity to experience Ashok Leyland’s latest electric mobility solutions, gain first-hand insights into electric commercial vehicles and understand the evolving zero-emission transportation landscape. The BOSS Electric truck along with charger setup, will be showcased at the events, giving participants an opportunity to experience the complete electric commercial vehicle ecosystem.

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “The transition to zero-emission mobility will be defined not just by the maturity of technology, but by the confidence of the users to adopt it at scale. At Ashok Leyland, we believe the best way to build that confidence is by taking electric trucking closer to the people who will use and enable it. Through ‘GET ZET - Electric Truck Awareness to Acceptance’, in collaboration with Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET), IIT Madras, we are bringing the electric truck technology to 40 cities, creating opportunities for customers and stakeholders to experience its real-world potential first-hand. This is a step towards making electric mobility more accessible, practical and ready for the future of India’s freight ecosystem.”

Prof. Manu Santhanam – Dean (ICSR), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras said, “CoEZET, IIT Madras has been working towards the adoption of zero-emission trucks since 2022, with a vision of achieving 100% ZET penetration by Viksit Bharat 2047. Our work spans policy, technology, skilling and outreach. The current Outreach Acceptance Initiative builds on our earlier awareness activities across hundreds of locations and focuses on enabling stakeholders to experience, evaluate and build confidence in battery electric trucks, as we move towards the next phase of adoption.

Through in-depth interactions and hands-on trial rides, we aim to demonstrate the quieter, smoother and more comfortable experience of electric trucks, while helping address driver concerns and build greater acceptance among the trucking community. We are glad to collaborate with industry partners such as Ashok Leyland in this effort and look forward to engaging with a wider range of stakeholders to strengthen acceptance and enable the wider adoption of zero-emission trucks in India.”

About Ashok Leyland:

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, is among the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers globally and a pioneer in India’s mobility ecosystem. Ranked as the 2nd largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, the 4th largest bus manufacturer in the world, and among the top global truck manufacturers, Ashok Leyland has been driving progress for over seven decades.

With a revenue of US$ 4.65 billion and operations spanning 50 countries, Ashok Leyland combines a rich heritage of innovation with a strong commitment to sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Chennai, the company offers a diversified portfolio that includes trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles, defence vehicles, power solutions and electric mobility offerings, supported by an extensive manufacturing and distribution network in India and overseas.

Recognized among India’s leading brands, Ashok Leyland continues to shape the future of transportation through technology, operational excellence and customer-centric solutions, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in nation-building and economic growth. For more information, visit: www.ashokleyland.com

About Hinduja Group:

The Hinduja Group is a 111-year-old transnational conglomerate with over 250,000 employees across 100 countries. Founded in 1914 by Late Shri Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, the Group has evolved into one of India’s most respected diversified business houses, with a leadership in automotive and mobility, banking and financial services, IT and digital solutions, energy and healthcare. Through its enterprises, the Group has contributed to India’s industrial evolution and economic progress while building strong global partnerships and market presence worldwide. Anchored in robust governance, disciplined risk management and long-term value creation, the Hinduja Group is guided by its enduring credo, “My Dharma is to work so that I can give,” reflecting a legacy that combines global enterprise with nation-building and community commitment.

Learn more about Hinduja Group on https://www.hindujagroup.com/ Instagram and Facebook: @HindujaGroup

About CoEZET

The Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET), an initiative by IIT Madras, is at the forefront of India's transition to sustainable transportation. Our area of expertise is accelerating the use of Medium & Heavy-Duty (above 12T GVW) Zero Emission Trucks and is moving us closer to a cleaner, greener future.

CoEZET actively works towards a zero-emission tomorrow with a constant focus on Technical Innovation, Search, Pilot, and Field Involvement. For more information, visit: www.coezet.iitm.ac.in