The successful operation of stationary lead-acid batteries of the VRLA/AGM type at cold and extremely cold temperatures is a precondition for the further expansion of their application envelope. Application oriented tests and investigations show a surprisingly robust behavior of such batteries under temperature conditions as low as -30 degreesC. The results obtained in these tests are presented and show data concerning available discharge energy at low temperatures, the behavior during charge and discharge cycles, the effect of freeze and thaw cycles and structural aspects of the "frozen" electrolyte at these temperatures. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.