JSW Greentech has launched Ampstar, its dedicated electric commercial vehicle brand, marking the JSW Group’s entry into India’s electric truck and bus segment.
The company unveiled a 55-tonne electric tractor-trailer and an electric bus in Mumbai, with commercial production planned at its upcoming greenfield manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
Ampstar will serve as the common brand for JSW Greentech’s electric trucks and buses. The name combines “ampere”, the unit of electric current, with “star”, which the company says reflects aspiration, leadership and progress.
JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal said the company aims to accelerate India’s shift from diesel-powered commercial vehicles to electric mobility.
“Why are we getting into this business of trucks and buses? It is not our core business. Neither do we have core competence in this business,” Jindal said. “The primary idea was to be a catalyst in changing the way India moves.”
JSW Greentech to Invest ₹2,500 Crore in EV Commercial Vehicle Business
JSW Group plans to invest around ₹2,500 crore in the first phase of its electric commercial vehicle business. The company’s 90-acre manufacturing facility will have an annual production capacity of 15,000 vehicles, comprising 10,000 electric buses and 5,000 electric trucks.
The facility is being developed to support integrated manufacturing operations for the company’s electric commercial vehicle portfolio.
Ampstar to Begin with 55-Tonne Electric Tractor-Trailers
Ampstar’s initial truck portfolio will focus on 55-tonne electric tractor-trailers designed for applications across sectors such as steel, cement, mining and ports.
The company plans to subsequently expand its truck portfolio to include tippers, fixed-body trucks and dumpers, before entering additional commercial vehicle categories.
The electric trucks will be available with both fixed and swappable battery architectures. Battery configurations will be tailored to specific applications and customer operating requirements.
Sumit Mittal, CEO of JSW Greentech, said the company will adopt a customised approach rather than offer standardised vehicle configurations.
“Our product is not an off-the-shelf product. It is customised,” Mittal said. “Depending on the features and the application, the prices will vary.”
The company will initially target closed-loop operations, where vehicles operate along predictable routes between factories, mines, ports and other industrial locations. Such applications can facilitate the deployment of dedicated charging or battery-swapping infrastructure at fixed locations.
JSW’s existing steel, cement and port operations are supported by around 17,000 trucks, giving Ampstar access to a captive ecosystem where its electric commercial vehicles can be deployed and their operating economics evaluated.
Electric Bus Portfolio to Cover 7-Metre to 18-Metre Vehicles
Ampstar’s electric bus portfolio will cover vehicles ranging from 7 metres to 18 metres in length.
The planned applications include staff transportation, city services, school transportation and airport-tarmac operations.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar manufacturing facility will incorporate truck-cabin production, electric-bus body building and battery-pack assembly. Battery cells will initially be sourced through imports.
According to JSW Greentech, the facility will be the first commercial vehicle plant in India equipped with a pre-treatment and electro-deposition system, a manufacturing process aimed at improving corrosion protection and vehicle durability.
The plant will also integrate enterprise resource planning (ERP), product lifecycle management (PLM) and manufacturing execution systems (MES) to support its manufacturing operations. Construction of the facility began with its groundbreaking ceremony in October 2024.
Direct B2B Sales Model for Initial Operations
JSW Greentech will initially adopt a direct business-to-business (B2B) sales strategy, rather than establishing a nationwide dealership network.
The company may appoint dealers in selected markets where they can support clusters of fleet customers and provide local service capabilities.
Ampstar vehicles will be offered through multiple ownership and usage models, including outright purchase, cost-per-kilometre and wet-lease arrangements.
The company’s broader mobility offering is expected to include financing assistance, charging infrastructure, maintenance services and battery-as-a-service (BaaS).
“The idea is to be an all-in partner because these are customers who are ready to take the bold call of moving from diesel to electric,” Mittal said.
With Ampstar, JSW Greentech is positioning itself across multiple segments of the electric commercial vehicle market, initially targeting predictable, high-utilisation fleet applications where charging and energy infrastructure can be integrated into daily operations.
