BMW iX with ONE’s dual-chemistry battery proves 978 km range

December 06, 2023

US-based battery start-up Our Next Energy (ONE) announces that a BMW iX prototype with its proprietary Gemini dual-chemistry battery managed an impressive 608,1 miles (978,6 km) range. Despite the higher range, ONE’s battery pack occupies the same space as the iX original battery pack. Furthermore, the company’s innovative technology reduces lithium use by up to […]

VW’s Scout electric truck to be developed by Magna Steyr

November 29, 2023

Reports state that Volkswagen has turned to Austrian Magna Steyr. The company, famous for assembling the Mercedes G-Class, will help the German group develop its future Scout electric pickup truck and rugged SUV. Local newspaper, Kleine Zeitung, reports a 450-million-euro deal. Volkswagen announced the return of the Scout brand last year, along with the confirmation […]

Electric Rimac Nevera fastest car to drive in reverse

November 10, 2023

The Rimac Nevera never stops breaking barriers and world records. After beating 24 records, the electric supercar has become the fastest car to drive…in reverse. On a test track in Germany, it went at 275,74 km/hour backward, thus breaking the official Guinness World Record. Rimac isn’t like any other carmaker. Not only did it manage […]

DS Automobiles ‘humanizes’ Iris voice assistant with ChatGPT

November 07, 2023

French carmaker DS Automobiles has announced it would integrate the generative artificial intelligence model ChatGPT into its cars. The AI will enhance the brand’s DS Iris voice assistant, allowing a more conversational experience for the user. Currently, the integration of ChatGPT to DS Automobiles infotainment systems is still in its six-month pilot phase. During this […]

Renault presents 200 kW rare-earth-free electric motor

October 31, 2023

French carmaker Renault and equipment manufacturer Valeo have come together to create the next-generation electric motor. Nicknamed E7A, this wound motor doesn’t require any rare earth in its construction. Thirty percent more compact than the unit currently powering the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the all-in-one E7A motor can produce up to 200 kW and is […]

Harley Davidson launches electric LiveWire S2 Del Mar in Europe

October 24, 2023

After presenting it over a year ago, Harley Davidson finally revealed the full specs of its LiveWire S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle. Smaller and nimbler than the LiveWire One, this S2 is even faster than expected, with a 0-100 km/hour of only 3,0 seconds. It’s powered by a 63 kW (84 hp) electric motor fed […]

Nissan showcases EV minivan, off-roader, and SUV concepts

October 18, 2023

Nissan is presenting three EV concept cars ahead of the Japan Mobility Show 2023, which will take place next week. Each concept is represented by a symbolic character to which they have been tailored. The Hyper Tourer is an electric minivan with striking styling and solid-state batteries, the Hyper Adventure is an electric off-roader outfitter […]

Toyota presents Kayoibako people and goods mover concept

October 17, 2023

At the Japan Mobility Show 2023, Toyota will not only present two BEV concepts, but it will also showcase the Kayoibako. This new vehicle is a multi-purpose modular electric concept that can fit numerous roles. The budget-friendly 4-meter-long Kayoibako can double as a last-mile delivery van, shuttle van, or even camper, and the perfect city […]

BMW unveils new iX2 with a sloping roofline and up to 449 km of range

October 11, 2023

BMW has lifted the veil on its new smaller SUV-Coupé – or Sports Activity Coupé, as Munich refers to it. The new X2 changes from a smaller, stubbier version of the X1 to a literal coupé version of the new X1. Like its brother, it also comes as an all-electric version, under the name of […]

Tesla Berlin factory workers demand better working conditions

October 10, 2023

More than a thousand employees of Tesla’s Brandenburg factory, near Berlin, are asking for better working conditions. Labor union IG Metall says that many employees complain about short production cycles, excessive production targets, and staff shortages. It’s not the first time that Tesla’s German factory is in the news, and not only for appalling work […]

CALB unveils battery with 25-year lifecycle

October 10, 2023

Giant Chinese battery cell producer CALB has unveiled a new battery with an impressive estimated lifecycle at RE+ 2023, the energy solution exhibition in Las Vegas. Named 314Ah, referencing its capacity, the new cell can withstand 15 000 full charge cycles. According to CALB, it’s the equivalent of 25 years. Moreover, the Chinese battery expert […]

Electric Skoda Enyaq RS gets more power and more range

October 06, 2023

Skoda has updated its electric Enyaq iV, specifically the sporty RS version. The SUV now gets a boost in power from 299 to 340 hp, thanks to a revised and higher-output electric motor on the rear axle. The Czechs have also upgraded the energy management software, meaning that despite the power increase and the same […]

BMW unveils two plug-in hybrid versions of new 5 Series

September 27, 2023

After the all-electric i5 and the mild-hybrid versions unveiled at launch, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan range is now completed with two plug-in hybrid versions. The 530e combines a 4-cylinder with an 184-hp electric motor to produce 299 hp, while the 550e xDrive uses a 3,0-litre straight-six to bump the output to 489 hp. […]

Lingxi: new Chinese brand from Honda dedicated to youth

September 26, 2023

Dongfeng Honda, a joint venture between these Chinese and Japanese brands, has announced the creation of a whole new brand for the Chinese market. Lingxi has been unveiled at a special event showcasing the brand’s latest concept car, the Lingxi L. This study announces a range of new EVs, including a sedan, based on an […]

China approves ultra-high DC charging standard

September 26, 2023

Chinese authorities have published three critical aspects of the upcoming ultra-high DC charging standard. The ChaoJi-1 connector clarifies that China will continue to use a proprietary national standard in the future. This new charging unit supports up to 1,2 MW and is compatible with CHAdeMO3.1. Not only does it support higher power, but it’s also […]

New ‘fastback’ Peugeot e-3008 goes for 700 km electric drive

September 13, 2023

After a few teasers, Peugeot has finally unveiled its new all-electric e-3008. The popular SUV now resembles a high-riding fastback with a swooping roof line. In addition to its new look, the e-3008 is the first vehicle to sit on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, offering from 210 to 320 hp of power and an impressive […]

Smart could produce smaller #2 and #4 models

September 12, 2023

Smart is in a complete transformation phase. After recently launching its first SUV, the #1, the brand known for its city cars, has presented the #3, an even larger SUV-Coupé. However, Smart is rumored to return to the small, two-seater city car. It could be named #2 and should be presented as soon as 2025. […]

Wallonia finally approves 2025 car tax reform (update)

September 06, 2023

On Wednesday, Wallonia’s road tax reform was voted in the plenary session of the Walloon parliament. Pushed by Mobility Minister Philippe Henry (Ecolo), the reform has been modified. It aims at taxing cars at registration not only based on their engine size and CO2 emissions but also their weight, which also affects electric vehicles. Taxes […]

Interparking tests robots to recover burning EVs

August 30, 2023

Carpark specialist Interparking is testing two robots to move vehicles in and out of their underground facilities. These robots are better at dealing with precious cargo without damaging it and are safer for the staff operating them in case of fires. Interparking is looking into moving robots in case of uncontrollable electric car fires in […]

Renault’s Plug Inn app opens up sharing of private charging points

August 23, 2023

Renault developed the Plug Inn app to bring electric car users from any brand together in the hope of a better and easier charging solution. The app allows users to open up their smart private charge point at home to other users and monetize it. This community-based app is available in France. In Belgium, there’s […]

New Ji Yue brand launches first electric SUV

August 17, 2023

On Monday, the major Chinese automotive group, Geely, officially announced the birth of another ‘daughter’, its new Ji Yue brand. Created in common with Baidu, China’s dominant internet search engine company, it’ll launch its first model by the end of this year. However, the Ji Yue 01, the new flagship model, isn’t new. We know […]

Land Rover to add smaller and electric Defender to line-up

August 10, 2023

A new smaller and electric variant of the rugged Defender is reportedly being prepared behind closed doors at Land Rover. At a recent JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) investor conference, CEO Adrian Mardell confirmed that a new Defender model will come from the all-new EMA fully-electric platform. The British car company recently announced a transformation plan […]

BYD’s premium brand Denza launches two SUVs in China

August 08, 2023

Denza, BYD’s premium branch and joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, is launching two new SUVs back-to-back for the Chinese market. The first is an electric SUV called N7, which should fight against the Tesla Model Y thanks to a 91,4-kWh battery and up to 700 km of range (Chinese CLTC standard). The second is the N8, […]

KG Mobility unveils electric Torres EVX

August 02, 2023

The Korean brand, formally known as Ssangyong, KG Mobility, has lifted the veil on its latest electric SUV, the Torres EVX. This new version comes with specific design details, an interior, and a powertrain. Following the Korando e-Motion, this new Torres EVX sits higher in the range, with ample interior space, V2L function, and up […]

Chinese government leaks pictures of Cadillac Optiq

July 19, 2023

It has become somewhat common these days for the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITT) to leak pictures of future vehicles. The latest is the future Cadillac Optiq, a new entry-level electric SUV that will take place under the Lyriq and be built in China. Expected to go on sale in 2024, it’ll […]

New Hyundai Santa Fe transforms into large boxy SUV

July 18, 2023

Hyundai has unveiled the first pictures of its new Santa Fe. The future mid-size SUV looks wildly different from its predecessor, with a boxy design accompanied by a modern light signature and large wheels. In contrast, the interior opts for technology, with a large curved display and, according to Hyundai, more refinement. The current generation […]

Fiat launches electric 600e SUV along the Topolino

July 05, 2023

Italian carmaker Fiat is back in the B-segment with a new electric SUV. Sister of the 500e, the new 600e is based on the same Stellantis CMP electric platform as the Jeep Avenger. The Italian boasts similar performances with a WLTP range of 409 km thanks to a 54-kWh battery. The Fiat is also cheaper, […]

French postal service gets new airless Michelin tires

June 28, 2023

Michelin and the French postal services are partnering for a two-year test of airless tires. A European-first, forty yellow ‘La Poste’ vans will be equipped with Michelin Utips tires by the end of 2024 in the Hauts-de-France region. Currently, this is the only airless tire being used on open public roads in Europe. With that, […]

Stellantis launches Free2Move Charge as EV ecosystem

June 28, 2023

The 14-brand-strong group, Stellantis, is launching a new ecosystem for electric vehicle charging under the umbrella of Free2Move Charge. The new entity will allow clients to install and finance home chargers, with options ranging from AC charging to Vehicle-2-grid (V2G) systems. Furthermore, it’ll give access to almost all of Europe’s charging points. The Stellantis group […]

Alpine to launch seven new electric sports cars by 2030

June 27, 2023

French sportscar builder, Alpine, has confirmed its electric ambitions for the future. By 2030, the brand will have launched seven fully electric cars, including a future A110 coupé, a roadster, and a new A310 4-seat coupé, to sit on a new dedicated platform. In Formula 1, Alpine Racing Ltd. gets a €200 million investment to […]

Engie’s Vianeo envisons +12.000 charging points in France and Belgium

June 21, 2023

French energy provider, Engie, launches Vianeo. Under this new brand dedicated to electric mobility, the company aims to develop 12 000 electric charge points across France by 2025. In addition to that, the company confirms that “about one hundred” fast chargers will be built in Belgium too. Engie isn’t one to miss the transition to […]

Mercedes Vision One-Eleven concept: new tech in neo-retro vest

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 […]

Walloon government to recover road taxes on ‘Flemish’ leased cars

June 13, 2023

Walloon public offices, municipalities, and provinces should now be legally required to pay their leased vehicles’ registration tax in Wallonia. This is part of an ongoing fight from the Walloon government to bring back losses from leased vehicles registered in Flanders. Wallonia is pushing back. Finance Minister Andrien Dolimont (MR) is taking legal action to […]

First Silence S04 rolls out of assembly line in Barcelona

June 09, 2023

Spanish scooter and micro-mobility EVs manufacturer Silence has officially rolled the first production models out of the assembly line in Barcelona. Built by Acciona in a state-of-the-art, 60 000 m2 factory, the first batch of Silence S04s are heading to customers. Silence is a newcomer to the game of micro-mobility EVs, or so-called ‘nano cars’. […]

Safety specialist Autoliv cuts workforce by 11%, mostly in Europe

June 09, 2023

Swedish automotive safety supplier Autoliv announced that it would cut its global workforce by up to 6 000 employees (11%). One thousand of these are expected to be in Europe. The worldwide leader in airbags and seatbelts says these cuts aim at reducing costs in the face of inflation. Autoliv is a significant actor in […]

Driving the new Renault Espace hybrid-only seven-seater

June 07, 2023

The new Renault Espace tries to combine the heritage of its name with today’s codes for a family car. Dead is the hyper-modular minivan: the Espace is now reborn as a long-wheelbase SUV with seven seats standard. That’s not the only transformation, as the Espace is now only offered as a full-hybrid. The name ‘Espace’ […]

Hype & Stellantis drop 50 hydrogen taxis in Paris for disabled

June 07, 2023

Paris taxi company Hype and Stellantis are partnering to put the first hydrogen taxis with specific access for people with reduced mobility (PRM) on the road. Fifty Peugeot e-Expert Hydrogen and Citroën ë-Jumpy Hydrogen will transport users around Paris. By 2024, the partners could have deployed up to 1 000 zero-emission taxis. 50 Peugeots and […]

World record : 1 943 km non-stop on electricity thanks to wireless charging

May 31, 2023

Israeli start-up specializing in wireless charging, Electreon, has set up a new world record. It drove a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 on electricity for 1.943 km over four days without stopping for a charge, thanks to its proprietary in-road charging strips. Between 21 and 25 May, Israeli start-up Electreon conducted a world-first proof-of-concept test for […]

Electric hypercar Rimac Nevera sets 23 new world records

May 19, 2023

Croatian brand Rimac has set an impressive 23 speed and performance world records in one day with its electric hypercar Nevera. The 1 914-hp machine now holds the infamous 0-400-0 kph speed and braking record, which it did in only 29,93 seconds. When the Croatian brand Rimac created the Nevera, it set out to build […]

Renault brings R5 concept to Roland-Garros 2023

May 19, 2023

Renault has been a partner of the French Roland-Garros tennis Open since 2022, bringing a specially kitted-out R5 concept in a satin-white finish at this year’s tournament. Furthermore, Renault will provide 185 hybrid and electric vehicles as official transport. For the 2023 Roland-Garros tennis Open, French carmaker Renault is embracing its role as a partner. […]

Maserati officializes death of V8 and commits to electric

May 16, 2023

At the fifth Motor Valley Fest, an open-air event in Modena during last weekend, Maserati reinforced its push toward electric drive. The House of the Trident announced special Zéda editions of its Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte to mark the end of production of its V8 engine, set for late 2023. After having already announced and […]

Macron could exclude non-European electric cars from EV bonus

May 12, 2023

French President, Emmanuel Macron, could announce a reform of the government’s EV bonus plan. The suggestion could be based on the vehicle’s carbon footprint, thus excluding cars produced in heavy-polluting countries such as China. However, it’s easier said than done. For a few months now, France has considered a way to exclude vehicles built far […]

Cupra UrbanRebel becomes Raval, Seat stops producing cars by 2030

May 12, 2023

Cupra does a nifty bit of sleight of hand and transforms its previously announced UrbanRevel into the future Raval. Still a concept car, the urban electric car remains largely the same and foresees the future entre-level Spanish EV to be produced from 2025. Spanish and self-declared sporty brand, Cupra, has us talking about them in […]

Alpine showcases future electric hot-hatch with A290_β concept

May 10, 2023

French sportscar manufacturer Alpine is at the dawn of a new era, that of electric sportscars. The new A290_β concept foresees the future A290 electric hot-hatch, with some design fantasies, such as the three-seat configuration inside. Whether we like it or not, Alpine is going full electric. That should be no surprise to anyone interested […]

Peugeot e-2008 and Citroën ë-C4 get new battery and more range

May 05, 2023

Peugeot’s smallest SUV is given a slight mid-life update, with a facelift taking cues straight from its recently updated sister sedan, the 508. Not only is the 2008’s skin tighter, but the electric version also gets a more powerful motor and a new, larger battery, which increases the range. Sister company Citroën does precisely the […]

Mercedes-Benz ditches the manual gearbox

May 28, 2022

German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will slowly fade out the manual gearbox from its entire range, mainly due to the increasing electrification of powertrains. The transition to fully automatic transmissions should begin next year. Stuttgart isn’t alone, as many carmakers have already switched to auto boxes and reserved manual transmissions for entry-level […]

Paris-Berlin TGV line for late 2023

May 25, 2022

On Tuesday, the CEO of the French railway operator SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou, announced that a new high-speed TGV line linking Paris to Berlin was in the making. It should be operational by December 2023, and connecting the two capital cities is around seven hours. “A few years ago, we thought it was a bit long, […]

London finally opens Elizabeth Line

May 25, 2022

Four years and five months late and three billion pounds over budget, London’s new Elizabeth Line finally opened yesterday. The Crossrail project is a 118 km railway line, which links Essex in the east to Reading in the west, tunneling underground through Central London. By 2026, Transport for London (TfL) estimates that the Elizabeth Line […]

‘Airless tire could be on the market soon’

May 19, 2022

Under development for many years, the airless tire for cars is still at a prototype stage, but some heavy-duty equipment already makes good use of it. Advantages include the complete resistance to puncture, lower maintenance, and easier recycling. However, this do-it-all tire is still facing issues with road noise and suspension. Goodyear is currently developing […]

Parisian ring road: one traffic lane replaced by trees in 2030

May 19, 2022

On Wednesday, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announced new plans for the French capital city’s ring road. The ‘périph’, as Parisians call it, will feature an ‘Olympic way’ during the 2024 Olympic Games, reserved for athletes, officials, and emergency services. After the event, that traffic lane will be deleted, and the 10 hectares ‘freed’ will see […]

Toyota, CaetanoBus and Air Liquide partner for ‘hydrogen ecosystem’ in Europe

May 19, 2022

Giant Japanese carmaker Toyota has announced a significant partnership with the French world leader in gas and technologies Air Liquide for hydrogen mobility. Together with Portuguese bus manufacturer CaetanoBus, they will act on developing infrastructure and vehicle fleets to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen for both light and heavy vehicles. “We are uniting our forces […]

Report: ‘EV production won’t meet Paris Agreement’s climate objectives’

May 18, 2022

According to a report from InfluenceMap, a conglomerate of a UK-based non-profit and a US charity, the production of electric and hydrogen vehicles won’t be enough to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate objective of limiting temperature rise to 1,5°C. Zero-emission vehicles should represent 57,5% of sales and 20% of the whole fleet by 2030. However, […]

Nissan returns to profitability in 2021

May 13, 2022

After having suffered two financial years of losses, Japanese carmaker Nissan ends 2021 with a full-year net income of 215,5 billion yen (€ 1,6 billion) in spite of the currently extremely challenging automotive environment. The group benefited from its 2019 restructuration and NEXT strategy focusing on quality sales. “The business environment in 2021 remained extremely […]

Faurecia and Veolia jointly into recycled plastics for cars

May 04, 2022

French automotive suppliers Faurecia and Veolia have announced pioneering cooperation to use recycled plastics in automotive interior modules. They aim to achieve an average of 30% recycled content by 2025. The recycled material will be used in instrument panels, door panels, and center consoles in cars across Europe. “The use of recycled plastics is one […]

Stellantis invests CAD 3,6 billion for electric car manufacturing in Canada

May 03, 2022

On Monday, Stellantis announced a new plan to invest 3,6 billion Canadian dollars to secure the future of its two manufacturing facilities in Canada. The new capital injection will help the Windsor assembly plant add a flexible multi-energy vehicle architecture to its product portfolio. In contrast, the Brampton assembly will be upgraded to build all-electric […]

Will Porsche and Audi get a foot in Formula 1?

May 03, 2022

After many years of speculations, German brands Porsche and Audi should enter the Formula 1 championship in the near future. The Zuffenhausen sports car brand is set to become Red Bull Racing’s power unit supplier while Audi could have its very own factory team. Both brands are jumping on the opportunity provided by the upcoming […]

Using phone while driving: 8-days to 5-years driving ban

April 27, 2022

The King’s Prosecutor in the Belgian Halle-Vilvoorde district has decided to crack down on drivers using their cell phones while driving. When caught, drivers will automatically be banned from driving for eight days to start. Further, they will be liable to a driving ban of up to five years with a fine of up to […]

Volkswagen admits looking into electric Amarok

April 27, 2022

At an event presentation for the new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok, a board member mentioned that the commercial brand is looking into an electric version of the still-to-be unveiled pick-up truck. Considering the PHEV’s pure electric range as too short, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle has already begun development on the platform the Amarok shares with Ford’s new […]

Audi’s Urbansphere: personal space for Chinese mega-cities

April 20, 2022

After the Grandsphere luxury limo and Skysphere grand tourer, Audi has unveiled its third vision of the future’s electric car. The Urbansphere has been specially designed for traffic-dense Chinese megacities, emphasizing interior and personal space. The concept benefits from 400 hp, four-wheel-drive, 270 kW fast charging, and level 4 autonomous drive based on the PPE […]

Luc Donkerwolcke: ‘Genesis X Speedium Coupé is not a show car’

April 15, 2022

Korean premium brand Genesis took the wraps from the X Speedium Coupé at the New York International Auto Show. This concept car must set the pace for the future design strategy of the brand. At the same time, Genesis announced the electric GV70 SUV would be its first-ever car produced in North America. “This car […]