April 15, 2024
The Walloon government has approved the Mobi’Park project for public transport company TEC. The project involves developing a new bus depot in Tilleur, in the province of Liège. Philippe Henry (Ecolo), Walloon Minister of Mobility, says this will be the first electrified depot in Wallonia. A budget of 105 million euros has been allocated for […]
April 09, 2024
The BMW Group and Rimac Technology, headquartered near Zagreb, Croatia, officially announced a long-term partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to co-develop and co-produce innovative solutions in the field of high-voltage battery technology for battery-electric vehicles. The results will be used in the BMW Group’s future product range, more specifically, in model generations slated […]
April 02, 2024
Windrose Tech, the Chinese manufacturer of EV trucks, is considering coming to Antwerp to install its European headquarters, an R&D center, and an assembly plant. That’s what founder Han Wen declared in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde. Windrose’s full electric trucks are supposed to have a range of some 600 km and […]
March 25, 2024
The Flemish public transport company De Lijn wants to recruit 800 drivers and 100 technicians this year. To this end, it will organize 14 job days, four for drivers and ten for technicians. “During the job days, everyone can get a taste of a job at De Lijn, learn about the terms of employment and […]
March 22, 2024
On Sunday, March 24th, AutoTechnica – the leading trade fair for automotive professionals in the Benelux – opens its doors on the Brussels Heizel. State Secretary for Budget and Consumer Affairs Alexia Bertrand (Open Vld/MR) will officially inaugurate the event on Sunday morning. Following the fair’s opening, she will present the European ambitions of Car-Pass, […]
February 26, 2024
Pictures of the production-ready Renault R5 had already leaked on Instagram, but Renault subsequently launched the model officially on the press day of the Geneva Motor Show. The final design stays remarkably close to the concept version, which debuted three years ago. The 5 replaces the Zoe and will accompany the 4 later this year. […]
February 19, 2024
The CEOs of U.S. automakers Ford and General Motors said last week they would consider partnerships to cut electric vehicle technology costs as Chinese rivals move into the U.S. and European markets. “If there are ways that we can partner with others, especially on technologies that are not consumer-facing, and be more efficient with R&D […]
February 13, 2024
Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) resolutely opts for more structural measures to address the capacity problems at the technical inspection centers. The most remarkable measure is the extension of the periodicity for passenger cars (vehicle category M11). New vehicles were subject to a yearly inspection from the day they turned four years […]
February 05, 2024
Last year, staff at the Walloon public transport company TEC faced almost three times more aggression cases than in 2015. Staff in the Liège-Verviers region spontaneously stopped work last week after several cases of aggression—the strike continuous today. Between 2015 and 2023, the number of cases of aggression on Walloon public transport rose from 56 […]
February 02, 2024
French car and van maker Renault unveiled the fourth-generation Master in November with impressive performance and range figures. Today, those figures are official and homologated. The new electric Master E-Tech has a range of up to 460 km (WLTP). The new Renault Master E-Tech manages this feat, all things considered, with an 87-kWh battery. Despite […]
December 26, 2023
The Belgian oil tanker company Euronav, specializing in the transportation and storage of crude oil, is gearing up for a ‘greener’ future with the take-over of CMB.Tech. That Belgian cleantech maritime group builds, owns, operates, and designs large marine and industrial applications running on hydrogen, ammonia, or dual fuels. It’s a significant step to gradually […]
December 08, 2023
Italo-French-US carmaker Stellantis embraces battery-swapping technology from Californian start-up Ample to equip a Free2Move car-sharing fleet of a hundred Fiat 500e cars in Madrid next year. The Fiat 500e is Stellantis’ highest-selling electric vehicle sold globally. Ample’s fully automated battery swapping stations allow EV drivers with a compatible Ample battery pack to replace the OEM […]
December 07, 2023
Belgian start-up Solhyd, a spin-off of KU Leuven University, announced securing six million euros of seed capital from ‘a group of experienced entrepreneurs’ to optimize further the basic technology of ‘distilling’ pure hydrogen directly from the air using a particular solar-H2 panel and deploy it in pilot applications. After assembling earlier prototypes of their Gen1 […]
October 30, 2023
Scientists from Chalmers University in Gothenburg have developed a breakthrough method for recycling used battery packs, not by complex and dangerous chemical additives but by activating a substance found in rhubarb, white beans, or paprika. The researchers have ties with Volvo and Northvolt. “Until now, no one has succeeded in finding the right formula for […]
September 29, 2023
Belgian company CMB.TECH is building Africa’s first public filling station in Namibia with on-site green hydrogen production. The site in Walvis Bay uses solar energy to make the hydrogen. Its strategic location should provide direct access to major shipping routes. “Our facility will supply hydrogen to trucks, ships, and railway applications,” the company says. The […]
September 19, 2023
Gotion High-Tech, a Chinese battery cell manufacturer and Volkswagen partner, now also builds its battery packs in Göttingen. The first battery products are to be delivered to customers in October. “Our Göttingen factory’s production line is highly automated, with an overall automation level of nearly 70% and close to 80% in the module assembly stage,” […]
September 11, 2023
In Turin, car group Stellantis has opened its first battery technology center – one of Europe’s most significant. More than a hundred employees will test, verify, and produce new battery products for its upcoming range of all-electric vehicles. As part of its Dare Forward 2030 plan, Stellantis is subjecting the Italian Mirafiora factory to a […]
August 18, 2023
In September, Flemish public transport company De Lijn will install bus screens to give drivers a more enclosed steering position. The safety steering position is one of the ten points in the agreed ‘stop aggression’ action plan. Additional inspectors will also be added across Flanders in the coming months. From the end of August, the […]
August 18, 2023
Sports retailer group Decathlon presented an e-bike with variable transmission on Thursday. The automatic shifting has been developed by E2 Drives in Wavre, in the Brabant Wallon province. The heart of the LD920 e-bike is a newly developed all-in-one solution for the bike drive, which was developed for three years with the Belgian start-up E2 […]
August 09, 2023
The BMW i7 Protection is the world’s first-ever protection berline with an all-electric drive system. It is driven by two powerful electric motors and meets all the requirements of class VR9 protection without any limitations. The new BMW i7 Protection integrated security concept was factored into developing the new BMW 7 Series range. It centers […]
July 27, 2023
The Belgian VUB University (Brussels) is developing a charging technology “to make electric driving more pleasant and efficient”. Researchers at EPOWERS, a research group that works at the VUB MOBI research center, have developed a technology that significantly extends the range of electric vehicles (up to 1 000 km) with a limited number of recharges. […]
July 27, 2023
The Volkswagen brand has concluded a technological framework agreement for long-term cooperation with the Chinese electric car start-up Xpeng. The Wolfsburg-based company is also taking a stake of about 5% in Xpeng, and the Audi deal with SAIC was also confirmed by the Group. With the new collaboration with Xpeng, Volkswagen wants to further advance […]
June 16, 2023
Mercedes-Benz has showcased its new Vision One-Eleven concept car. The low and sleek design arches back to the C111 prototypes of the 60s and 70s, incorporating it into Stuttgart’s recent ‘One-Bow’ shape specific to EVs. The new concept features a new axial flux motor from subsidiary YASA, supposedly lighter, smaller, and more powerful. Mercedes-Benz is […]
June 08, 2023
The second-hand motorbike market in Belgium is in dire straits, according to sector organization Traxio. Until May, almost 30% fewer motorbikes, that’s 9 446 units, were sold compared to last year. The reason for this drop, according to Traxio, is the second-hand inspection of motorbikes that has been mandatory since 1 January 2023. One of […]
May 30, 2023
Last Friday, BMW Group Belux donated another 20 brand new BMW and Mini cars to several technical schools throughout Belgium and Luxembourg. The vehicles represent €1,3 million in net worth and are destined to train candidate technicians with the latest car technology. It’s not the first time BMW Group Belux is acting as such. In […]
April 27, 2023
Mercedes-Benz has launched the new generation of the E-Class W214, with a familiar shape but a revamped interior filled with displays and other tech features. However, under the hood, only 2-liter 4-cylinder engines are present at launch, with or without hybrid assistance. The new Mercedes E-Class does not represent a revolution in terms of design. […]
April 18, 2023
Porsche has heavily revised its flagship SUV Cayenne to extend its lifespan beyond 2026 when its electric counterpart is set to be released. The facelift model gets a slightly modified look, more powerful engines, more tech on board, and a bigger battery for the E-Hybrid version, allowing for a much more usable EV range. Although […]
March 29, 2023
Kia already gave us a look at the design of its EV9, with its boxy shape and three-row seating, but now the Korean manufacturer has revealed all of the relevant technical data of the flagship SUV. And that includes the 541 km driving range of the most efficient version, thanks to a new-gen battery used […]
March 10, 2023
The European Commission decided on Thursday that individual member states are temporarily allowed to support local industries developing green technologies. The move answers protectionist measures in the United States and China. Among other carmakers, the Volkswagen Group awaited this approval to decide on its battery plant in Poland. As Europe fears that its multinationals will […]
March 03, 2023
During a round table, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse told car magazine Motor.at and others about his view on hydrogen and the plans to ban ICE cars in the EU by 2035. In his view, “hydrogen-fueled cars don’t stand a chance against BEVs except for customers who do not have access to charging infrastructure or […]
February 22, 2023
Belgian aerospace company Sonaca joins the Limburg-based start-up SOLiTHOR to develop solid-state batteries for regional aviation and future air taxis (VTOLs). Solid-state batteries are lighter, have more energy density, and are considered safer than current lithium-ion batteries with a fluid electrolyte. SOLiTHOR will be responsible for cell research, development, testing characterization, format design, and production […]
January 26, 2023
By the end of this year, buses and trams of the Belgian public transport company TEC in Wallonia will automatically get a green light when approaching a traffic light at an intersection. This will reduce travel times, causing fewer delays, and as another positive result, allow for fewer emissions if not yet electric. To technically […]
December 23, 2022
BMW wants to produce solid-state battery cells in its own pilot plant in Germany based on the design of technology partner Solid Power. To this end, the Munich-based carmaker has obtained a research and development license from the US company. “Solid Power, Inc., an industry-leading developer of all-solid-state battery and sulfide-based electrolyte technology, today announced […]
December 21, 2022
Belgian railway network operator Infrabel has inaugurated in Brussels an infrared system against track walkers. The system should avoid as many casualties as possible and protect the punctuality of trains. The advanced surveillance system was inaugurated at Brussels-Capelle Church, the busiest point on the rail network with a daily flow of 1 200 trains and […]
December 19, 2022
The Walloon government has appointed Jean-Michel Soors as the new director general of Walloon public transport company TEC. Soors will start on 1 February 2023. Soors’ appointment follows a selection procedure launched in May 2022 to replace Vincent Perelman’s. The latter decided to explore other horizons. TEC Liège-Verviers Soors has a master’s degree in industrial […]
December 08, 2022
Flanders’ proactive approach to tackling unsafe traffic situations appears to be successful, and the first results are visible. Flemish Minister for Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) intends to use new technology to preventively improve traffic safety. Last year, Minister Peeters introduced the MIA approach, a new and inventive way to tackle unsafe traffic situations. MIA […]
November 16, 2022
According to a recent study by Brussels University’s research center Mobi, the typical Belgian EV driver is a 47-year-old, technology-loving male. He’s highly educated and lives in a free-standing house. The Belgian charging station manufacturer Powerdale commissioned the study. VUB’s research center Mobi analyzed the data of 489 drivers with a hybrid or fully electric […]
November 08, 2022
At the China International Export Expo (CIIE), Honda unveiled the e:N2 Concept, the prelude of a new all-electric sedan developed for the Chinese market. It’s part of Honda’s electrification offensive that intends to launch ten EVs in that market and is a continuation of Honda’s earlier unveiled e:N family. Aiming at the world’s largest EV […]
October 25, 2022
Corda Campus, the Belgian tech campus in Hasselt (Limburg), comes with a ‘European scoop’: a Chinese self-driving e-scooter will pick up passengers on the campus, let them drive to their destination, and then returns fully autonomous to one of the five charging stations within the site. The vehicle is the Chinese Segway Ninebot Kickscooter T60, […]
October 21, 2022
Mercedes-Benz just finalized a supply agreement with Canadian-German-start-up Rock Tech Lithium Inc. to secure high-quality lithium supply used in battery production as part of a direct sourcing approach. An average of 10 000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide will be refined per year at a converter based in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany, and delivered to the […]
September 20, 2022
Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) has given the go-ahead to establish so-called ‘middle lanes’. This new type of public road should ensure greater safety for vulnerable road users, especially cyclists. The adaptation of the traffic regulations will take effect from 1 October. The pressure group Cyclists Association (Fietsersbond) does not react highly enthusiastically. Initial studies […]
September 06, 2022
At the Mobility and the Future Mobility Summit in early September 2022, Mercedes is showing four improvements for its technology demonstrator ‘Sustaineer’ based on the Mercedes e-Sprinter. Those make the van more energy-efficient and ecological but also consider the driver’s comfort. The Sustaineer, which stands for Sustainable Pioneer, was first shown a year ago and […]
August 18, 2022
BMWs from the electric Neue Klasse family might soon look a bit more like Tesla cars. Not on the outside but underneath. Reportedly, the Bavarian carmaker is keen on adopting Tesla’s cylindrical 4860 format for its battery cells. These would be supplied by EVE. EVE Energy Co. Ltd. is a Chinese battery cell manufacturer, not […]
August 11, 2022
The first product from the cooperation between three major Chinese industrial groups (CATL, Huawei, and Changan) is a reality. The Avatr brand has drawn the curtain on its first production model, the Avatr 11, primarily intended to attract a premium audience. This all-electric SUV model not only looks futuristic but also has a lot of […]
July 27, 2022
The Brussels government is to launch the procedure to protect the D’Ieteren Group’s building in the Rue du Mail/Maliestraat in Ixelles. D’Ieteren recently announced plans to renovate its headquarters and prepare them for the future. The Ixelles site covers 67 000 m² and has been owned by the D’Ieteren family since 1906. It has been […]
July 27, 2022
The French government has abolished the decree imposing technical control for motorbikes over 125 cc from 2023. President Emmanuel Macron is thus fulfilling his promise, even though the measure should be compulsory from this year according to a European directive. According to the French Minister for Transport, Clément Beaune, “other methods can effectively achieve the […]
June 16, 2022
From 1 July, the emission measurement for diesel cars in the Belgian annual technical inspection will be changed. From then on, diesel cars will have to pass a new test procedure to map out the emission of particulate matter in the exhaust gases. The new system counts the particles that are present, making it possible […]
June 10, 2022
From 1 September, a season ticket with the TEC, the Walloon public transport company, will cost 1 euro a month for people aged between 18 and 24. This rate change will be implemented a year earlier than first announced, Walloon Minister of Mobility Philippe Henry (Ecolo) confirmed on Thursday. The TEC pass will thus cost […]
May 19, 2022
Mercedes is joining forces with Sila Nanotechnologies, who developed an innovative battery with a much higher density (+30 to 40%) than what we see today in lithium-ion EV batteries. The first of these would be for the future electric G-Class. Alternative to hydrogen Sila Nanotechnologies is a start-up from Silicon Valley in California that uses […]
May 04, 2022
The impact of digital technology on the climate is five times more positive than the total digital footprint by 2030. CO2 emissions in Belgium could decrease by 10 to 12% by using digital technologies in the four most CO2-polluting branches of industry. That is the conclusion of a recent study by the technology federation Agoria. […]
April 19, 2022
Volvo Cars has invested StoreDot, an Israeli company developing extreme-fast charging battery technology for electric cars. The investment was made through the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, its venture capital arm. StoreDot is working on a pioneering technology that, according to the company, should result in batteries that can charge to 160 km of pure electric […]
March 17, 2022
Until 30 June, buses on the E5 express line between Nivelles and Namur will be able to take non-folding bicycles from commuters, either in the loading space or on a bike rack installed at the back of the bus. This is a pilot experiment of the Walloon public transport service TEC, intended to evaluate the […]
March 07, 2022
Volkswagen has announced that it is realigning the focus and working methods of Technical Development (TD) to shift towards electromobility and digitalization. According to Chief Development Officer Thomas Ulbrich, this will also have a massive impact on future electric cars such as the Trinity. Ulbrich’s motto for the R&D department he heads is now ‘software […]
January 28, 2022
Mercedes-Benz has invested a high double-digit million euro amount in the Taiwanese solid-state battery cell manufacturer ProLogium and agreed to develop next-generation battery cells jointly. For Mercedes, it is not the first deal in solid-state batteries as they are also involved in Factorial Energy in the US. According to the Stuttgart-based carmaker, the first jointly […]
January 19, 2022
In an interview with four European media, the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, gave his thoughts on Europe’s campaign to phase out the internal combustion engine by 2035. The 63-year-old company director believes that switching to more expensive EVs without a progressive transition could create a social fracture. One year after the fusion of French […]
December 30, 2021
According to recent data unveiled by the Walloon Minister of Road Safety, Valérie De Bue (MR), out of the 959 615 cars presented at the technical inspection in Wallonia between early January and late November, 25 140 were over six months overdue. Drivers had to pay a €48 surcharge. The Hainaut leads the pack with […]
November 18, 2021
US startup Ample is targetting Europe to introduce its battery-swapping technology through an extended partnership with Uber. The ride-hailing company wants to have half of the kilometers driven in seven capital cities in Europe to be electric by 2025. That includes London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon. Ample’s fully automated battery swapping stations […]
November 09, 2021
On Monday, almost 1 800 elementary schools in Flanders launched a campaign to promote the use of a bicycle helmet and a high-vis jacket when cycling. “Schoolgoing children are less visible in traffic during the dark winter period and the helmet and jacket can improve traffic safety,” Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) said. The […]
November 03, 2021
Between 2021 and 2025, the Walloon Transport Operator (OTW), the parent company that oversees the TEC public transport service, will invest over 1,1 billion euros in Walloon public transport. A large part of the budget, 400 million euro, is planned for the greening of the fleet. That is what L’Echo reports. TEC has a fleet […]
November 03, 2021
On 16 November, Renault will present to the public the new fully electric version of its popular compact van, baptized ‘Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric’. An upgraded battery of actual usable 45 kWh extends its range to 300 km (WLTP). That’s roughly 100 km more than the current Kangoo Z.E. with a 33 kWh battery. Since […]
