Ashok Leyland’s EV arm– Switch mobility shifts plant from UK to UAE

Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group and the electric vehicle arm of Ashok Leyland, has decided to shift its UK plant operations to its facility in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE, in a move aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs, The Times of India reported.

Citing Ashok Leyland MD & CEO Shenu Agarwal, the report said, “A few months ago, we decided to shut down Switch's Sherburn, UK, facility as operating there was no longer viable. We have since shifted the manufacturing of Switch buses to our RAK plant in the UAE, where we are investing under $3 million to produce buses for the UK and European markets. RAK offers better market access to Europe and the GCC, along with a more efficient cost structure.”

Agarwal added that while Switch India continues to perform well, the restructuring is expected to strengthen the company’s position in international markets, particularly in the electric bus segment.

In a related update, Switch India turned PAT-positive in H1FY26, driven by stronger domestic volumes and tighter cost controls, according to CFO K. M. Balas. Unlike many EV manufacturers with independent facilities, Switch leverages Ashok Leyland’s infrastructure to produce “glider vehicle shells without batteries or powertrains.” The company currently has an order book of 1,500 electric buses.

Meanwhile, construction of Ashok Leyland’s e-bus manufacturing plant in Lucknow is nearing completion. The company is also assessing potential locations for its battery manufacturing joint venture with China’s CALB Group and expects to finalise the site within the next 30 to 60 days, Agarwal said.

For Q2 FY26, Ashok Leyland reported its highest-ever consolidated PAT of ₹820 crore, up from ₹767 crore a year earlier. The Board has also recommended an interim dividend of ₹1 per share at 100%.