Daily EV news · Global · 9 March 2026
Electric Vehicles
MAN Lion's Coach E completes winter trials in Arctic and Turkey ahead of rollout
MAN Truck & Bus has completed winter testing of four Lion's Coach E electric coaches in northern Sweden and Erzurum, Turkey, where temperatures reached around –30°C. The trials, conducted over several weeks and thousands of kilometres, assessed high-voltage battery performance, energy management, charging capability and thermal systems in snow and ice conditions. The testing follows the coach's debut at Busworld Europe last autumn and aims to validate operational readiness before commercial deployment.
Why it matters
Successful cold-weather validation of electric coaches is critical for operators in northern markets and demonstrates vehicle reliability under extreme conditions that affect range and charging infrastructure performance. The trials signal MAN's readiness to compete in the growing electric coach segment, relevant for depot planners and fleet procurement teams evaluating long-distance EV options.
Grid & Energy
Redwood Materials finds retired EV batteries exceed quality forecasts as it scales second life storage projects
Redwood Materials reports that used electric vehicle batteries are proving to be of much higher quality than initially expected, according to a company executive speaking about the firm's expanding second life battery energy storage system (BESS) programme. The Nevada based battery recycler and materials producer is leveraging retired EV packs for stationary storage applications rather than immediate recycling. The finding supports growing industry confidence in repurposing automotive batteries for grid scale and commercial energy storage once they fall below the performance threshold for vehicle use.
Why it matters
Better than anticipated battery health extends the economic life of EV assets and strengthens the business case for second life storage projects that CPOs and fleet operators may co locate with charging infrastructure. The development also signals maturing supply chains for cost competitive stationary storage, which can improve site economics by managing demand charges and providing grid services at depot and public charging locations.