Driving the all electric Zero DSR X: more mileage with less energy

November 09, 2022

Zero Motorcycles developed an electric adventure model. It immediately gets the largest battery capacity Zero has ever built, achieving a driving range of just under 200 km, making it perfect for use as a commuter vehicle. We drove it. Zero is a small motorbike manufacturer that exclusively builds electrically powered motorbikes. The manufacturer has just […]

Bosch develops new electric motor for light vans

September 20, 2022

Bosch has developed an electric motor that can be used for vans and small trucks. By integrating the inverter into the motor housing, the powertrain becomes more compact but, above all, more efficient so that the autonomy of electric vehicles improves. The efficiency of electric vehicles is too often measured by the performance and storage […]

Belgian liberals to blow up car inspection monopoly?

September 19, 2022

If it were up to the Open Vld, car inspection as we know it today would be dropped, and periodic vehicle inspections would be put in the hands of garage owners instead of the current (regional) government-regulated monopoly of technical centers. This was one of the propositions adopted at the annual party congress of the […]

Driving the VW ID.Buzz: patience is rewarded

September 19, 2022

For two decades, enthusiasts of the kind have been waiting for it. The neo-retro concept (Microbus released in 2001) that was initially presented with a strong gasoline engine has finally reached its production stage, and even in 2022, the flag more than ever covers the load because neo stands for a 100% electric drive, while […]

Opel launches GSe as electric performance sub-brand

September 15, 2022

In March, Opel showed the ElektroMOD study based on the classic Manta. From then on, there was much speculation about whether a derivative production model would follow. Today, the brand announces with the Blitz that GSe will become a sub-brand for the more dynamic electric models. Opel wants to push electrification in all segments so […]

Honda plans to launch 10 electric two-wheelers by 2025

September 14, 2022

Honda has planned to thoroughly decarbonize its Motorcycle Business to the point that it should be carbon-neutral from 2040. Ten electrically powered two-wheelers will be launched worldwide in the next three years. Despite this electrification, the development of thermal engines will also go on. The Japanese manufacturer is serious about the electrification of its motorbikes, […]

Kia and Deutsche Bahn give used car batteries a ‘stationary’ second life

September 08, 2022

Kia announces that they are starting a collaboration with a Deutsche Bahn start-up to develop energy storage systems, reusing the battery modules of the Kia e-Soul. The start-up encore/DB already operates a take-back service for used batteries from electric vehicles. Kia says, as one of the main suppliers of electric vehicles in the European market, […]

Dutch government participates in Lightyear investment round

September 07, 2022

The Dutch government participates in Lightyear. This is done through a consortium, Invest-NL, founded by the Dutch government. Lightyear raises capital of €81 million; it is not known precisely how significant the Invest-NL share is. Lightyear is a Dutch start-up established in 2016 and wants to build electric cars that can be charged through the […]

Mercedes’ tech demonstrator van Sustaineer gets update

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 […]

Getting behind the wheel of BYD’s first EVs for Europe

August 29, 2022

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is launching three models on the European market this year, including in Belgium. NMN was allowed to drive them on a closed test track, so we can get a first impression of what these models have to offer. BYD is no unknown player in the automotive world. A few days ago, […]

BYD to launch three EV models in Europe in 2022

August 24, 2022

Chinese BYD (Build Your Dreams) has big ambitions for Europe. It plans to launch three fully electric models (Han, Tang, and Atto3) in the European and Belgian markets before the end of the year. And BYD will be able to bring these models to consumers quickly because it builds not only cars but also batteries, […]

XPeng shows 480 kW hypercharger

August 17, 2022

Today, XPeng Motors showcased a new ultra-fast supercharger that offers up to 480 kW of charging power so that in ideal conditions, you can recharge up to 210 km in five minutes. With the S4 ultra-fast charger, XPeng Motors has just developed the most powerful fast charger to date. The Chinese manufacturer has successfully recharged […]

Mercedes-Benz shows EQE SUV interior as an appetizer

August 17, 2022

The brand with the star will further expand its range of electric models. An SUV derivative of the recent EQE saloon will follow and be officially unveiled on 16 October 2022, but Mercedes-Benz is showing the first pictures of the interior of its EQE SUV as an appetizer. Like the EQE, this newcomer will be […]

Belgian Mercedes pilot Stoffel Vandoorne Formula E world champion

August 16, 2022

Last weekend, Stoffel Vandoorne became Formula E world champion. The Belgian pilot owes the title mainly to his steady driving style, as he only wound up 1 GP. Mercedes, by the way, is leaving this championship behind after this one. Vandoorne may already be a world champion, but he was not the most spectacular driver […]

Avatr 11 launched: first car with a lot of Huawei technology

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 […]

Flanders to screen vehicle inspection centers on customer satisfaction

August 09, 2022

From 16 August, vehicle inspection centers in Flanders must resume their normal activities and stop accepting customers by appointment only. This is what Flemish Minister for Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) has decided. The minister is also demanding an audit of the operation and customer satisfaction of the facilities after the complaints piled up in […]

Tesla’s top models available again in Europe

August 08, 2022

The Tesla Model X and Model S are available again in Europe after almost two years. Both top models of the American EV manufacturer were unavailable for a while, and orders outside the US were also put on hold since the end of 2021. A chain of events was at the root of this curious […]

Motorbike battery swapping to become interesting business model

August 03, 2022

French Forsee Power and German Vitesco are joining the motorbike battery swap consortium formed by the major players in the motorbike sector. The consortium includes motorbike manufacturers and technology suppliers and now counts 21 members willing to jointly develop a new business model. The Japanese and Italian motorbike manufacturers have joined forces through the Swappable […]

BMW scales up battery production in Leipzig

August 01, 2022

BMW has scaled up battery production at its Leipzig plant. The additional battery production line will enable the Leipzig plant to assemble battery units for the i4, after it had previously mainly produced batteries for the iX. The second production line for battery modules has just started up at the Leipzig production site, which began […]

Germany phases out eco premium for EVs

July 28, 2022

Germany is going to phase out the eco-bonus for electric vehicles. From 2023 onward, incentives for PHEVs will disappear and support will focus mainly on cheaper electric cars bought by private customers. The support measure would continue until 2024, but the subsidy pot will also be reduced yearly. Germany is currently very generous with eco-bonuses […]

Porsche recalls 40.000 Taycans for wiring problem

July 25, 2022

Porsche recalls the Taycan again, which concerns all models including the Cross Turismo and the Sport Turismo. Worldwide, over 40 000 vehicles have been affected this time. There is a possible problem with the wiring harness under the front seats of cars built between July 2019 and May 2018. This is not the first time […]

Mini shows one-off electric convertible

July 19, 2022

The full electric convertible segment seems to be in progress, as Mini shows a one-off of the Cooper Convertible SE that they presented in South Carolina at a local Mini event, ‘Mini takes the States’. If and when an electric Mini Convertible will be launched is currently unclear. For now, the British manufacturer wants to […]

Citroën Ë-C4 X, variation on a single design theme

June 30, 2022

Citroën is developing an additional model to be positioned between the existing C4 and the C5 X. The new model will be baptised C4 X and will feature a 100% electric drive. Depending on the market, versions with combustion engines will also be offered for sale. In practice, the C4 X is an evolution based […]

Brussels-built Audi e-tron temporarily sold out

June 28, 2022

Only a week after Audi proudly announced that it is the market leader in Belgium in terms of pure electric vehicles, the e-tron assembled in Vorst (Brussels) appears to be completely sold out on the Belgian market. Audi is experiencing an excellent year in terms of electrically powered models. During the first months of 2022, […]

Ford builds electric super van

June 27, 2022

Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle division of the American manufacturer, presented the Ford Pro Electric Supervan at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood, UK. Based on the E-Transit Custom, the boosted van can sprint from 0 to 100 km/hour in just two seconds. For Ford Performance, this particularly fast van is to showcase the potential […]

Peugeot 408 PHEV closes gap between 308 and 508

June 23, 2022

After a few striking teaser images, Peugeot has drawn the veil on the new 408, which is considerably larger than the 308 with which it shares its platform. Remarkably, Peugeot is planning two plug-in hybrid motorizations, with which the manufacturer is aiming at the business driver. The 408 is expected on the Belgian market in […]

D’Ieteren’s EDI ventures into solar panels and home batteries

June 22, 2022

D’Ieteren Automotive sees mobility from a broader perspective. In addition to the classic car distribution activities of the VW Group brands, it invests in sustainable mobility solutions such as sharing platforms (Poppy), bicycles (Lucien), charging infrastructure (EDI), and now energy supply with the acquisition of Go-Solar, a specialist in solar panels and home batteries. With […]

Technical inspection to tackle particle filter fraud from July 1st

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 […]

Schaeffler to develop four-in-one drive unit for EVs

June 15, 2022

Schaeffler presented an innovative drive unit for electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Oslo. Schaeffler says that the ‘four in one electric axle’ system is compact and up to 14% more economical than a “conventionally” built electric vehicle. Schaeffler is a major supplier of automotive components. The group with Scandinavian roots began with […]

‘Fine particle pollution from tires 1.850 times higher than exhaust’

June 14, 2022

As emissions from internal combustion engines (ICE) are reduced due to stricter standards and electrification, other sources of pollution such as brake and tire dust are taking the lead. For example, rubber tires emitting while wearing fine particles into the air are thousands of times more polluting than tailpipe emissions from (recent) cars. New research […]

Vitesco develops potential game-changing electric motor

June 13, 2022

At the 35th (EVS) Electric Vehicle Symposium in Oslo, German Vitesco Technologies, a spin-off from Continental, presented a new generation of electric motors. These no longer use a permanent magnet, but a second (controlled) electromagnetic field to bring the motor in motion. With this technology, far fewer rare earth metals are required for their manufacture. […]

Van Hool launches new zero-emission bus line-up

June 09, 2022

Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool has just launched a new model range of zero-emission public transport buses and coaches for local transport at the Paris European Mobility Expo. Bus manufacturer VanHool is a family business from Belgian Koningshooikt (near the city of Lier), 75 years old in 2022, and primarily builds vehicles for Europe and […]

New Fiat Doblò goes electric

June 08, 2022

Fiat has announced in a press release that a new Doblò will soon be available on the Belgian market. This third generation of the famous van will also be offered with an electric drivetrain. The renewal of the Doblò fits in the rationalization of the product range within the Stellantis group. Following Fiat’s integration into […]

Electrically powered Renault Kangoo of the second generation

June 02, 2022

Renault is extending its range of electrically powered vans with an EV version of the latest Kangoo, the Rapid E-Tech Electric. The arrival of an electric version of the newest generation Kangoo is a logical step. After all, the manufacturer also has a Master E-Tech Electric on offer in the larger van segment. This Kangoo […]

Mercedes to adopt Sila battery technology for G-Class

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 […]

Tesla makes Belgian superchargers accessible for non-Tesla vehicles

May 19, 2022

In a press release, the American EV manufacturer announced that also in Belgium, certain Tesla superchargers would be made available to electric vehicles of other brands. This means that 141 additional fast-charging points will now be available in Belgium. Tesla drivers are not complaining Tesla announced last year that it would open up its charging […]

Porsche electrifies its Cayman

May 18, 2022

At the IAA 2021, Porsche lifted the curtain on the Mission R, the electric version of the Cayman. Today, the South German sports car manufacturer indicates which direction the electrically powered coupé will take, as Porsche shows the first prototype with stunning specifications. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance is the base for this concept […]

VW ID.2 will replace E-Up

May 17, 2022

After the ID.3, the ID.4, ID.5, and the ID. Buzz, it looks like the next in line of VW’s electric ID. products will be the compact ID.2. Earlier, VW already showed a concept version in the form of the ID. Life. So it looks like the production version of that ID. Life will not be […]

Belgian spin-off to commercialize solid state battery

May 17, 2022

SOLiTHOR,  a spin-off of the Leuven-based research company Imec, will develop and market solid-state batteries under the brand name SOLiTHOR. These batteries should also be usable in automotive applications within five to ten years because they are safer, weigh less, and, above all, are cheaper than the current generation of batteries. Ten years of research […]

Traxio: ‘Belgian motorbike market hit hard in April’

May 12, 2022

Both the new and second-hand motorbike markets were hit like the car market. Last month, the number of new motorbike registrations fell by 20,3%, while the second-hand market did even worse with 24,2%. The figures come from the automotive federation Traxio. The declining new motorbike market is partly due to delayed deliveries of ordered motorbikes. […]

Del Mar to be second electric Harley

May 12, 2022

Following the market launch (2019) of the LiveWire One, the first electric-powered Harley Davidson, today, the manufacturer announced that there will be a second model, the ‘S2 Del Mar’, which will be positioned below the LiveWire One. It is expected to hit the market in mid-2023 and will cost less than 15 000 euros. The […]

Kymco to come to Europe with battery swap system

May 09, 2022

Taiwanese scooter manufacturer Kymco has plans to bring its range of electric scooters to Europe. The two-wheelers will be sold through the ionex brand and use battery swap. The arrival of an electric scooter of Kymco origin is not big news, as the manufacturer is already present in our market. However, the appearance of an […]

Here’s BMW’s all-electric 3-Series… for China (update)

May 09, 2022

Next month, BMW will launch the i3, but only on the Chinese market. It’s an extended version of the 3-Series marketed in Europe. This i3 eDrive35L will also be built locally at the Chinese BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. and will be offered with a 100% electric drive. For the time being, there are no plans […]

Car Pass shows spectacular odometer fraud

May 06, 2022

The annual report of Car Pass, the organization that has been charting odometer fraud for 15 years, reveals that in the past year 1 578 cases of odometer fraud were detected in Belgium. The biggest problem is still with vehicles that come from abroad, there is even a 2% increase in the number of fraud […]

Wiesmann Thunderball swaps BMW heart for e-motors

April 29, 2022

Wiesmann is a small and eccentric German manufacturer that builds refined and British-looking roadsters and relies on proven BMW engines for its drive. However, the manufacturer is switching to an electric Thunderball model that combines classic looks with a super-modern electric drive. The German manufacturer disappeared from the market for a while but seemed to […]

Third generation of Formula E drops rear braking system

April 29, 2022

On the eve of the sixth E-Prix in Monaco, which will take place next weekend, the third generation of Formula E cars has just been presented. These new racing cars will be seen on the inner-city streets of major cities from 2023 onward. The vehicles will be faster, lighter, and more efficient. The future of […]

Lexus RZ next development in brand’s BEVs

April 21, 2022

After Toyota showed several electric models in recent months, it is up to Lexus now, its luxury subsidiary, to unveil the first EV of its future lineup developed from the start as a 100% electric-powered model. This RZ is an SUV model based on the e-TNGA platform it shares with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru […]

CO2 calculator shows carbon footprint of urban delivery

April 20, 2022

Belgian logistics player BD Logistics has asked Antwerp University to develop a tool to calculate the CO2 emissions of its urban delivery activities using a standardized calculation method. The calculation tool perfectly estimates the carbon impact of a specific delivery or shipment. This technology would also allow consumers to compare different players or means of […]

Is bidirectional charging the miracle solution to prevent blackouts?

April 14, 2022

Like many manufacturers, Porsche is working on a bidirectional V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) charging system. This means the vehicle can store electricity in its battery, but it can also feed power back into the grid at peak times to balance the grid. The question is whether this system offers a structural solution, or is it just a […]

Porsche starts repairing batteries on the workshop floor

April 13, 2022

Porsche is sticking to its ‘Road-to-X’ strategy, whereby the manufacturer believes that by 2025 half of all new Porsches will be electric, and by 2030 that figure will be 80%. As more electric vehicles leave the showroom, the need to prepare the workshops for these vehicles also increases. Contrary to what is often claimed, an […]

Mercedes wants to halve carbon footprint by 2030 for every car

April 12, 2022

At its first ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Conference, Mercedes presented an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions by more than half, Well to Wheel (WTW), being thus over the entire life cycle of each car, by the end of this decade. In addition, 70% of the energy used must be renewable. There needs to […]

Ford starts European production of E-Transit

April 11, 2022

At Ford’s Otosan production site in Turkey, production of the 100% electrically powered Transit will get started. Ford has big plans to electrify its commercial vehicle fleets, and the market is also responding positively, with 5 000 orders already in the Ford Pro order book. Ford is running a broad pilot project with pre-production models […]

Mercedes reaches milestone of 25 000 pure electric vans sold

April 06, 2022

Mercedes announced today that it has reached the milestone of 25 000 pure electric vans. It’s an important goal for the German manufacturer because it is determined to become a leading manufacturer in the field of fully electrically powered vans. “At the end of 2021, we were the market leader in the midsize and large […]

Kia shows next electric SUV EV9 Concept

March 30, 2022

The EV9 on display today previews the next EV from Kia and shows the design language of future Kia models. The EV9 is expected in dealerships as early as 2023 and will be positioned above the existing EV6. What stands out is a very angular design with a massive, straight front, a fairly upright windshield […]

Fifth generation Mini will be both electric and ICE powered

March 24, 2022

Mini is now developing its fifth generation and, just like the current generation, it will have an electric version. The emphasis seems to be on this zero-emission version, as the manufacturer is already running the arctic winter tests with the new e-Mini in Arjeplog, Sweden. Mini also promises to present a concept study of a […]

Deliveries for Mercedes EQE start by end of April

March 16, 2022

Mercedes has opened its order book for the EQE, the electric equivalent of the E-Class that rests on the new EVA platform that it shares with the larger EQS. The EQE 350+ can be bought on the German market from €70 626 and should be at the dealerships by the end of April. At the […]

German XBUS: affordable modular EV all-rounder

March 14, 2022

ElectricBrands AG, the German manufacturer of a kind of modular EV minibus called XBUS, is a new player entering the Belgian market in 2023. The compact and electrically powered four-wheeler is available as a passenger car, van, camping car, and is affordable at a starting price of €17 672. Importer for the Benelux is Dutch […]

First Hispano Suiza EV for the States

March 10, 2022

Michael Fux has just received his Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. This is the first example to go to the US. The manufacturer came to life again in 2019, when it showed a prototype of the Carmen at the Geneva Motor Show. Now, the first car, a special version of the Carmen, has been delivered. The […]

Renault’s Kadjar successor Austral goes hybrid

March 09, 2022

This autumn, Renault will launch the Austral. This SUV will hit showrooms in autumn by sharing styling elements with the recently launched Mégane E-TECH. In addition, it will be launched with three different hybrid powertrains. This successor to the Kadjar, like its predecessor, shares its platform with the Nissan Qashqai. It should be noted, however, […]

Volvo’s XC40 to bring wireless charging one step closer

March 07, 2022

Volvo is today showcasing a wireless charging solution for its electrically powered vehicles. In addition, a small fleet of Volvo XC40 electric taxis will use a wireless charging solution using induction technology in their car parks in Gothenburg, Sweden. To be clear, Volvo will not be offering a wireless charging solution for production models tomorrow […]