July 01, 2022
Tesla’s share of the EV market is projected to collapse from 70% today to 11% in 2025. Bank of America analyst John Murphy announced the number one EV maker’s shrinking market share in his annual Car Wars forecast. Does losing dominance in its home country mean Tesla is going to march backwards? According to Murphy, […]
July 01, 2022
The tumultuous take-over saga at SsangYong has resulted in chemical-to-steel group KG becoming the new owner. The company outbid underclothing giant Ssangbangwool (SSB) and paid 950 billion won ($740 million) for the financially troubled Korean SUV specialist. The deal was conducted by biddings that needed the approval of the Seoul Bankruptcy court. Based on pricing, […]
June 30, 2022
Audi has started building its first plant dedicated to EVs in the Chinese metropolis Changchun, one of the largest automotive regions in the country. The site partners with state-owned carmaker FAW and will manufacture models based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) for the local market. The new factory is built on 150 hectares and […]
June 30, 2022
Norwegian battery-maker Freyr has received approval from its board to expand its plans for a Gigafactory in the country’s north. Called Arctic Giga, the plant is projected to raise its annual capacity to 29 GWh. The clearance for the larger-than-planned scale was announced simultaneously with Norway’s first official battery strategy. Giga Arctic is Freyr’s – […]
June 28, 2022
Further details have emerged on the EV cars jointly developed by electronics giant Huawei, battery-maker CATL, and car manufacturer Avatr. Based on a new platform using cell-to-pack (CTP) batteries, four EV models are on the agenda by 2025. In addition, the architecture enables different body types and drivelines. The collaboration between these big Chinese industrial […]
June 27, 2022
All eyes are set on the European council, where the member states search to agree on a joint position after the European Parliament has voted in favor of a ban on the sales of combustion-engined cars as of 2035. However, the deadline could still be jeopardized. Major countries like Italy, France, and Germany support more […]
June 24, 2022
Following a sneak preview in March, CATL presented the production version of its third-generation cell-to-pack battery (CTP), now called Qilin instead of Kirin. The pack should be capable of delivering a mileage of more than 1 000 kilometers and features a “disruptive” cooling technique. No modules. No additional wiring. More battery for the same space. […]
June 24, 2022
Tesla’s most recent Gigafactories in Austin and Berlin are heavy cash burners because they don’t manufacture enough models. CEO of the electric carmaker, Elon Musk, said that the losses piled up to billions in a video interview with the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley fan club. “Money furnaces”, was the exact phrasing from Musk. Cost […]
June 23, 2022
The launch is still two years from now, but Polestar is gradually unveiling details of its top liner, the Polestar 5. As a manifesto car, it will introduce a new electric driveline for the brand. A considerable step up, because this combines very high power with a very high charging voltage of 800 V DC. […]
June 22, 2022
Some 50% of all charging points in the European Union are concentrated in only two countries: The Netherlands and Germany. These findings were published in a study by the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association ACEA, unveiling a substantial disparity among the member states. At the same time, signals are appearing that the further rollout of the […]
June 21, 2022
Owners of zero-emission cars will likely pay lower parking fees in The Netherlands beginning next year. A legal framework has been created so that cities and towns can adjust their parking policies in favor of electric cars. But Norway, with the highest rate of EVs per capita in the whole world a leading exemplar, is […]
June 21, 2022
Germany’s biggest union in the automotive industry, IG Metall, warns of social tensions and disquiet at Tesla’s only European factory in Berlin. The American company tries to lure in new workers with higher paychecks than those of the 5 000 people already on the payroll and who earn not enough. According to the union, discontent […]
June 17, 2022
Last year, appointed CEO of Ferrari, Benedetto Vigna, unveiled his strategic plan for the world’s most profitable carmaker at a shareholders’ meeting yesterday. By 2026, the sportscar manufacturer wants to boost revenue to 6,7 billion euros, from the 4,8 billion expected this year, driven by the launch of 15 new products and electrification of 60%. […]
June 15, 2022
Despite an ownership battle in the background, SsangYong doesn’t refrain from looking ahead. The South-Korean niche player presents the Torres, a rugged and bold-looking SUV slotting between the Korando and Rexton that will also feature a fully electric version. Technical details are sparse, but it is clear that struggling SsangYong isn’t throwing in the towel. […]
June 15, 2022
The British Department of Transport (DfT) has put a lid on its plug-in car grant scheme, making buyers of electric cars no longer eligible for financial support. Scrapping the so-called Plug-In Grant evokes disappointment from carmakers. Still, according to the government, it needs to shift its investments to developing public charging infrastructure and greening other […]
June 14, 2022
According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the board of directors of BMW is discussing whether it should export its Chinese-made Mini EVs to the United States. The strategic U-turn follows after a road show where BMW gave a sneak preview of the zero-emission Mini to American dealers. Officially, the Bavarian carmaker denies the plan, but […]
June 13, 2022
Following a pilot phase in Nuremberg and “overwhelmingly” positive feedback from customers, Audi has decided to expand its concept of charging hubs and take it beyond the German borders. Swiss Zurich is the next place where a mobile charging lounge of this type will be constructed, with Berlin and Salzburg shortly after. Remember Audi’s charging […]
June 13, 2022
Regarding itself as a car maker transforming into a tech company, the Volkswagen Group decided it couldn’t do without a TikTok account. Under the tag “newauto”, also the name of the Group’s future strategy, employer-made short films will be published to inform about electrification and digitalization. ‘You did not wait for us, but here we […]
June 10, 2022
According to a survey by the Smart Mobility Institute, partnered with consultancy giant Deloitte, Belgian companies have the highest maturity for mobility in Europe. This pole position is mainly attributed to the mobility budget put in place by the government for driving the switch from company cars to alternative mobility solutions. However, it doesn’t imply […]
June 09, 2022
Nissan decided to skip the plug-in phase for its electrified models. Hybrids, like this Juke, are poised to bridge the transition to full electric models for those customers who need more time to adjust. Thanks to the collaboration with alliance partner Renault, the hybrid system is a technological maverick. Now, originals aren’t always the easiest […]
June 08, 2022
As for the North American market, Ford joins the growing list of car makers that sells electric models from the factory at fixed prices. Jim Farley announced at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference but didn’t specify when the Model e branch responsible for all zero-emission Fords would start with the new distribution model nor when […]
June 07, 2022
Renault’s mobility branch Mobilize has delivered 40 units of the Limo model to its first customer, the Spanish ride-hailing brand Cabify. The cars will be operated in Madrid by Vecttor, a subsidiary of Cabify. In autumn, Mobilize will expand its Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) model to Paris, with more European cities to follow in the coming months. […]
June 03, 2022
Chinese car group Geely has launched nine self-manufactured satellites into a low orbit around the earth to establish a network to support the autonomous driving functions of their cars. It’s the first car manufacturer in the world, following the pioneering trail of Tesla. Autonomous driving cars demand high-precision navigation. Ask Tesla, which relies on the […]
June 02, 2022
EV start-up Rimac has raised 500 million euros in a funding round, attracting investment from new players from the financial sector. As not to dilute its share in the Croatian company Porsche stepped in as well, with an undiclosed but double-digit million cash injection. Everybody knows Rimac from its zero-emission supercars, flirting with 2.000 hp […]
June 02, 2022
German villages adjacent to the Dutch border are experiencing a flood of Dutch fuel tourists after the government having lowered the pump prices. With differences of some 25 euros per tank herds of drivers from the Netherlands are crossing the border for a cheaper fill. The German police is patrolling to keep the local traffic […]
June 01, 2022
Lexus took the wraps from its completely redesigned RX, the fifth generation successor of one of the very first SUVs in Europe. The car finally offers a plug-in hybrid version, puts dynamism at the forefront, and introduces a turbo version. Some sacred shrines are scattered to pieces by Lexus. While the Japanese, living in strongly […]
June 01, 2022
Pedestrians and cyclists who encounter a heavy car in a traffic accident face double the chance of losing their lives compared to lighter vehicles. These are the findings from VIAS. The safety association performed a cross-study, linking the data from accident statistics to vehicle registrations. The survey also looked at the possible impact of age […]
June 01, 2022
BMW has unveiled the third generation of its most compact crossover, the X1. For the first time, the model will come in an all-electric variant, the iX1, which basically replaces the i3 as the entry-level BEV from Bavaria since production of the latter is ceasing this month. The new X1 sits on flexible underpinnings, accommodating […]
May 31, 2022
As part of a complete network of five hydrogen filling stations, DATS24 opened a second unit in Wilrijk yesterday. The forecourt lies along the busy lanes of the A12 and not far from the city of Antwerp, where garbage trucks drive on the emission-free fuel carrier. The plan for DATS24 to roll out several hydrogen […]
May 31, 2022
Automotive group Stellantis is deepening its collaboration on LCVs with the world’s biggest car manufacturer, Toyota. The two companies are expanding their existing joint venture, including a larger van to complement the smaller and medium-sized versions of today. An electric version is part of the plans. A launch date hasn’t been unveiled yet. CEO of […]
May 30, 2022
Arne Christiani, mayor of Grünheide, has confirmed that Tesla has applied for an expansion of the Gigafactory. The newly developed area must provide the factory with logistics space, parking and a goods station. The expansion covers 100 hectares, but the mayor assumes that the permission will be granted. Tesla’s expansion plans are not new. In […]
May 30, 2022
The G7, the international group of the seven largest advanced economies, have agreed on their energy meeting to “predominantly decarbonized electricity sectors by 2035”. The group concluded that “to this end, we will rapidly scale up the necessary technologies and policies for the clean energy transition.” The G7 consists of the United States, Canada, France, […]
May 30, 2022
For the first time, the German government has refused to back investment in China on the grounds of human rights, with Volkswagen as the applicant. And in Brazil, the car company is facing a trial for slavery during the dictatorship period. It seems like old ghosts are reappearing in Wolfsburg. “A company with activities in […]
May 27, 2022
To secure road safety, the city of Viersen had to take drastic measures and was left with no other option than to cut down the street lanterns lighting a highly frequented promenade. The light poles had become unstable because of contamination by dog urine. Viersen is a small city near the border with The Netherlands. […]
May 27, 2022
Electrified cars are slowly gathering momentum among company cars. That’s the conclusion from a survey by employer’s organization Partena Professional that analyzed a fleet of more than 41.900 cars. The share of pure-electric vehicles has risen to 7,5%. Electrified powertrains, including plug-in hybrids running on petrol and diesel, account for a market share of 26.6%, […]
May 24, 2022
Somewhere in the first half of 2025, Hyundai will start the production of electric models and batteries in a new factory in Georgia, US. The plant must reach an annual output of 300,000 cars. In addition, the South-Korean carmaker is joining forces with another yet unnamed partner for battery manufacturing. The budget of 5.5 billion […]
May 24, 2022
In an objective to renew the airport of Zaventem into a multimodal hub based on a more environmental-friendly strategy, her CEO Arnaud Feist wants to exchange short-haul flights with high-speed train connections. While pointing at how Brussels Airport was one of the first in Europe with an integrated train station, he also puts the ball […]
May 24, 2022
In the first quarter of 2022, three times more EVs were sold worldwide than last year. With two million battery-powered vehicles registered already this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) sees a substantial increase in EV adoption, especially in China and the EU. Of all new car sales, EVs now represent 10%. According to the […]
May 23, 2022
Mercedes has unveiled a design study guiding the electrification strategy for its performance brand AMG. CEO of Mercedes-Benz Ola Källenius also announced that the brand would move away from lower-margin models and reap more profitability from luxury models. With sleek lines and a long profile, the Vision AMG takes several cues from the Mercedes EQXX, […]
May 23, 2022
The district court of Detmold started a historic court trial against Volkswagen on Friday. The accusor is Ulf Allhoff-Cramer, a German organic farmer who claims that the German car giant is responsible for the demise of his farm, with his crops and animals suffering from global warming. Greenpeace supports the court case. Allhoff-Cramer is a […]
May 20, 2022
Road signs warning for crossing toads, ducklings, or deer are a familiar sight on Belgian roads. But in Wetteren, commuters on the cycle highway alongside the railway are now warned of a new species: wall lizards. Their growing population led to a casualty rate demanding precautionary measures. The population of wall lizards living asides from […]
May 20, 2022
“ESG is a fraud.” With these exact words, Elon Musk tweeted his disapproval over Tesla being removed from the S&P 500 ESG. The stock index for sustainable trading doesn’t regard Tesla as an exemplar anymore. Despite Tesla’s mission to accelerate the net-zero transition on a global scale, the index sees too many objections for the […]
May 18, 2022
Russia has softened its required safety standards because of the supply shortage caused by the Western sanctions. It’s now legal for local carmakers to manufacture vehicles without ABS or airbags. Also, the emission standards have been lowered back to the level of the late eighties. The Ukrainian war is now also affecting road safety and […]
May 18, 2022
Volvo Trucks has inaugurated a factory for battery assembly in Ghent, aside from its plant for truck assembly to support its electrification program. The site will not complete cells but put together packs supplied by Samsung SDI. Volvo Trucks already has several all-electric heavy-duty vehicles in its portfolio with the FH, FM, FMX, FE, and […]
May 17, 2022
In his eagerly awaited report, the intendant appointed by the Belgian government, Guy Vloebergh, concludes that the Ventilus line is best placed above ground. The high voltage connection, which must bring wind electricity from the North Sea onshore, has been strongly debated. Action groups now threaten with legal procedures, which would stall the project resulting […]
May 17, 2022
French start-up of hydrogen cars Hopium wants to appoint Minister of Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari to its board of directors. Djebbari is still serving at the Elysée but has announced that he intends to retire from political life with the formation of a new government at hand. The specific tasks for Djebbari have not been made […]
May 16, 2022
After Maserati, another new contender will appear on the grid of Formula E in 2023: McLaren will join the all-electric single-seater championship as of season nine. The British brands’ racing branch has acquired the team from Mercedes-EQ, which is retiring after this year. This means that Stoffel Vandoorne has a chance of returning to his […]
May 16, 2022
The board of directors has validated the ambitious draft business plan and investment plan up to 2032 for the NMBS/SNCB on Friday. They agreed on a 10% increase in train capacity, which must bring about a 30% growth in passenger numbers by 2032. Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet says that he will ensure that the […]
May 13, 2022
The Environmental Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favor of a sales ban on internal combustion engines for cars and vans as of 2035. The Committee dismissed synthetic fuels as a solution and didn’t adopt new interim CO2 targets for the automotive industry. The European lawmakers stayed close to the original proposal by […]
May 13, 2022
On Tuesday, the Norwegian government put forward a proposal to apply taxes to the sales of electric cars, putting an end to their world-renowned incentive scheme that electrified the national fleet over the past few years. The Norsk Elbilforening, or Electric Car Association, reacts with disapproval. Thanks to VAT exemption and a host of benefits […]
May 09, 2022
Anglo-American Mining has put its first hydrogen-powered mining truck on duty. This zero-emission behemoth is poised to replace the mining giant’s diesel-powered fleet and kickstart an entire carbon-free ecosystem if the trial goes well. The gargantuan dump truck, running on six tires the size of a bungalow, can transport 290 tons of ore and has […]
May 05, 2022
In a television interview, Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård has unveiled that the government is reconsidering the EV incentives that helped push electric car sales to almost 90%. Scrapping the benefits must get more people out of their cars. Free municipal parking. No tolls on ferries. Access to bus lanes. No annual road tax. […]
May 05, 2022
According to news agency Bloomberg, insiders report that LG Chem has set its eyes on Antwerp-based materials handler Umicore to quench its thirst for expansion abroad. Umicore is an appealing candidate for the South-Korean battery manufacturer because it needs to secure its materials supply line in the wake of the explosive global growth of EV […]
May 02, 2022
Indian car group Tata has unveiled the Avinya, a mold-breaking and fast-charging EV concept that preludes a production version scheduled for 2025. In contrast to the overwhelming majority of futuristic studies, the Avinya has a completely screen-less interior. According to the carmaker, less screen time is the way forward. While Tata’s reputation isn’t one of […]
April 28, 2022
Belgian materials group Umicore has struck a deal with Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the battery joint venture between Mercedes, Stellantis, and TotalEnergies. Umicore will supply the battery factories from ACC with next-generation high-nickel cathode material through its Polish factory. The Belgian company now has three major auto groups in its portfolio since it has already […]
April 28, 2022
According to Russian press agencies and Reuters, Renault will sell its stake in local partner AvtoVaz for one symbolic rouble, with the option of repurchasing it later. The deal includes the French carmaker’s factory in the outskirts of Moscow, where models from Renault and Dacia are built. The Russian minister for commerce and industry, Denis […]
April 26, 2022
Through its Twitter account, Chevrolet has officially confirmed that it will launch an all-electric Corvette shortly after the introduction of a hybrid version. An accompanying movie unveiled test and development work with a prototype of the latter. President of General Motors Mark Reuss acknowledged on the American news channel CNBC the arrival of a battery-powered […]
April 26, 2022
The board of directors at Twitter has accepted Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s buy-out deal of 44 billion dollars to obtain complete control of the company. As a result, Musk is now set to own his most cherished communication channel. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter because that is what free speech […]
April 25, 2022
The shortage of semiconductors has pushed the revenue of the Renault Group back by 2,7% during the first quarter of this year. However, with a result of 9,7 billion euros, the French carmaker performed better than expected. Moreover, the impact of its stalled Russian operations remained manageable. Its CEO Luca de Meo is responding to […]
April 22, 2022
In its first study on life cycle assessment, Green NCAP, the sustainability branch of safety organization Euro NCAP, has examined the environmental impact of 61 popular models on the European market. Though the electric Fiat 500 showed the smallest carbon footprint, the Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI made a case for the combustion engine. Life cycle […]
