Based in Brussels, the new joint venture, called 'Ionway', will be responsible for producing precursor and cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries at scale.

Under the expanded deal, MAN will use protective gases during the precision welding process, and then apply multiple coats: first, cataphoretic paint for corrosion protection, then varnish, and then a final coat of paint.

The 12-metre low-entry Ikarus 120e has an 86-passenger capacity in a 3-door configuration. The 314 kWh LFP battery pack allows for a range of up to 350km (217 miles) on a single charge.

Series production of the Lion’s City E range began at Starachowice, Poland in October 2020.

130 units of the ‘Urbino 12 hydrogen’ line will be delivered over the next few years, the vast majority of which (127) will be delivered to the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

This collaboration is expected to result in faster system integration of vehicle data from various logistics partners and simplifying data processes, intended to optimise fleet management efficiency.

The order from CTM Cagliari comprises a mixture of standard and articulated Urbino electric models: 80 12-metre vehicles and 18 artic vehicles.

This now extends Loop’s footprint beyond South Korea, Italy and Australia and now into Poland. The company calculates that its fuel cells are being used in 12,000 buses, a number that is only growing.

T&BB spoke to Lind, who is Senior Vice President and Head of Bus and Coach at Scania, at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit in Barcelona, Spain earlier this month.

The existing plant size has been expanded by about a third and now covers 41 hectares: the extension comprises a 32,000-square-metre hall for cab production and a 10,000-square-metre hall for truck modification and final assembly.

Bus body production will be gradually wound down in the first quarter of 2024, and the part of the plant where the bodies are made will be closed down.

Alongside the 100,000-milestone announcement, MAN said it is now offering a rear-wheel drive option with single tyres and automatic transmission, targeted especially to customers requesting a special body on the chassis.