July 14, 2023
Sixteen carmakers committed at Shanghai Auto Forum to fend off the ongoing price war in China. Among the underwriters was also the brand that kickstarted the spiral: Tesla. The agreement was an intention of good faith, not legally binding. Two days later, the deal was withdrawn, without any publicity, by the Chinese Association of Automotive […]
July 07, 2023
While the city car segment is under significant strain due to stronger emission rulings and a growing appetite for SUVs, the French brands aren’t loosening their grip. After the heavily revised Renault Clio, Peugeot took the wraps of its updated 208, last year’s best-selling car in Europe. The facelift doesn’t strike as lightning, as the […]
July 06, 2023
Stellantis has unveiled STLA Medium, a global battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. It’s the group’s first dedicated architecture for electric vehicles, dressed to rival MEB from the Volkswagen Group and the underpinnings from Tesla. The ambition for cars building on the architecture is to provide a best-in-class range of over 700 km. STLA Medium is […]
July 05, 2023
Expanding on its European presence, Chinese EV maker Nio has opened an innovation center in Berlin. It will be the hub for five teams focusing on digital technology. Nio is on a roll, as it also starts offering semi-solid-state batteries of 150 kW in China. As the automotive industry is gearing up for software-defined vehicles […]
July 03, 2023
Announcing its production and delivery numbers for the second quarter of 2023, Tesla posted a new record, beating analysts’ predictions. The company is well on track to achieve its annual goal of deliveries by the end of the year, meaning it would globally outperform Audi. But over in China, BYD is in a fierce fight […]
July 03, 2023
In a showcase car based on a Porsche Taycan, automotive supplier ZF has unveiled its latest evolution of electric drive. Together with its thermal management system, the EVSys800 sets new weight, compactness, and efficiency standards. The firm eyes a market introduction in 2026. With the EVbeat, ZF wants to demonstrate the potential of future electric […]
June 30, 2023
Renault delays the stock market introduction of its all-electric subbrand Ampere to the first half of 2024. The French car maker points to a less-than-ideal market climate, but the postponed launch of the all-electric R5 is also playing its part. Renault is pushing forward with a revolutionary plan to launch 18 new models by 2025, […]
June 30, 2023
The Volkswagen Group has ousted Marcus Duesmann as CEO of Audi, as the brand falls short of its main rivals, Mercedes and BMW, on innovation. Duesmann will be replaced by an insider, Gernot Döllner, who takes over at the helm of the German luxury brand as of the 1st of September. Duesmanns replacement doesn’t come as […]
June 29, 2023
At the upcoming Festival of Speed in Goodwood, MG will enroll its Cyberster for the famous hill climb. The company also announces that it will show two additional prototypes at the fair. The Cyberster taking its chances at the festival is a confirmation that it will be offered in Europe. When MG lifted the veils […]
June 29, 2023
Following a troubled relationship with its investment and manufacturing partner Foxtron, electric pickup maker Lordstown Motors has filed for protection against debtors. In the eponymous town, the company had the Endurance assembled in a factory that it had sold to the Taiwanese firm. But as the latter allegedly broke the terms of an investment agreement, […]
June 27, 2023
Prepping for its first battery-powered model in 2025, the British sports carmaker has announced a partnership with American EV start-up Lucid for the supply of batteries and powertrain technology. For Lucid, which gains a 4% stake in Aston Martin in return, it’s the first partnership of this kind. While combustion-engine parts can easily be shared […]
June 26, 2023
In an open letter to the EU, 41 firms call for bigger ambitions on the greening of transportation in the logistics sector. Among the companies are Heineken, Nike, the Colruyt Group, and shippers like DFDS and Maersk. They say that increasing the targets will lower costs and make it easier to decarbonize fleets. More precisely, […]
June 23, 2023
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, British EV start-up McMurtry stunned the crowds breaking the hill climb record. The blistering run has spawned the necessary interest in this 1 000 bhp single-seater so that the Spéirling Pure will go into production. As a supercar for the modern ages, the Spéirling Pure builds its performance upon […]
June 22, 2023
As the Chinese economy shows signs of slowing down, the government has extended the tax exemption for hybrids and electric cars to 2027. Buyers of these so-called new energy vehicles (NEV) skip the purchase tax. Since 2014, the Chinese government doesn’t impose a ten percent purchase tax on electrified cars to support their adoption and […]
June 20, 2023
Turkish electric car brand Togg is reversing its sales plans. Available since March in dedicated European markets, the brand is re-focusing on its domestic market only as the brand needs to sort out certain teething problems. “We should first show sustained success in our own market,” told Togg CEO Gürcan Karakas to the German newspaper […]
June 19, 2023
Chinese carmaker BYD eyes one-tenth of the electric vehicle market in Germany. The ambition was made public by its sales director Lars Pauly, who didn’t commit to timing for the target. BYD’s commercial start in dedicated markets in Europe is very fresh. But the brand obviously aims to make its mark. “We want to have […]
June 19, 2023
According to the European Court of Auditors, Europe’s plan of becoming a world leader in battery development and production is at risk. The stakes are high. If Europe fails in shaping up, the energy transition can falter, while it might also affect the 2035 ban on combustion engines. In 2018, the European Union issued the Battery […]
June 16, 2023
Partena Professional’s latest survey reveals some interesting insights on the trends and evolutions of Belgian company cars. As the share of diesel power is, for the first time, matched by fully electric models, plug-in hybrids showed a substantial rise in 2023. Also, on average, company cars for men are 18% more expensive than for women. […]
June 15, 2023
The European Parliament has passed the proposal for green batteries, which puts world-leading standards on the environmental impact of their entire lifecycle. The rules apply to batteries used in both vehicles as lighter means of transport, like e-scooters. The new law means that battery producers will be obliged to report on the entire carbon footprint […]
June 14, 2023
Petrolheads will immediately recognize this Nyobolt EV Concept as the contemporary version of the original Lotus Elise. Unsurprisingly, this little battery-powered roadster was designed by Julian Thomson, the same man who styled the original version. But instead of lap times, the promised charging time of six minutes stands out, or half the waiting time of […]
June 05, 2023
Revealing the three-row version of its ID. Buzz is more than adding extra inches of wheelbase and one more bench in the back. The new LWB version also adds an enhanced infotainment system, a new head-up display, a clever configuration, and more range. First, that length. Overall, the wheelbase stretches to 3 239 mm (up […]
June 05, 2023
To boost its European expansion plans, Lexus is treading where BMW and Mercedes cancel out: the class of small city cross-overs. With a length of 4.1 metres, the new Japan-built LBX is beyond competition from the German premium brands, as Audi has announced the withdrawal of the Q2, its closest rival. In fact, this is […]
June 02, 2023
Electricity supplier Engie offers a new type of contract, aimed at drivers of electric vehicles. To promote off-peak charging and maintaining grid capacity, customers can receive a bonus. A dedicated app manages the process. According to Engie, it is a first that customers can benefit from a financial incentive if they adapt their charging behaviour […]
June 02, 2023
Sales of electric cars reached 80.7% last May, recuperating from a minor setback in April. It seems Norwegian buyers aren’t turning their backs to battery-powered cars after less generous incentives were introduced at the beginning of the year. The fiscal change of heart is most noticeable among premium cars, which have become less popular. The […]
June 01, 2023
As from the summer, the Toyota Yaris can be ordered with a second hybrid driveline gaining power and a refined drive. In addition, the upgrade includes new digital features, such as an instrument display and an app-based key. But as for the design, everything remains like before. So, Toyota’s minor overhaul of its city car […]
May 31, 2023
Japanese truck builders Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso have announced a merger and intend to become a publicly listed company. Both brands revealed that the union is on equal footing. Though the new truck maker from Japan will operate globally, its prime focus will be on the Southeast Asian market. As Hino Motors is fully […]
May 30, 2023
The Model Y can parade itself as the best-sold car in the world. It took the title in Q1 of 2023 from the Toyota Corolla, which has held the top spot for many years. It’s the first time an electric car has won the gold medal. The Model Y also surges in Europe. Tesla’s price […]
May 26, 2023
Zero-emission racing is not a novelty, but a group of students from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have made sportscars circular. At Fablab in Brussels, they presented an electric racing car made of biodegradable flax fibers yesterday. More than a concept, the car will be raced at Formula Student, an engineering competition for students worldwide. […]
May 25, 2023
Alpine and Lotus will not be co-developing an all-electric sportscar. The sports car brands have axed their collaboration under “mutual agreement” and will go through the development process alone. The project was scheduled to spawn a successor to the Alpine A110 and the new Lotus Type 135. Developing electric cars is costly, particularly when the […]
May 25, 2023
Now called Electric instead of Corsa-e, Opel’s compact city car gets an upgraded battery pack and electric motor. Subsequently, the range has been increased from 357 to 402 kilometres. The boost also comes from an added heat pump. As the Corsa is technically mated to the Peugeot 208 and DS 3 E-Tense, it shouldn’t come […]
May 25, 2023
The Swedish car glass specialist Cary group has announced the acquisition of both Autoglass Clinic and Touring Glass, which are the second and third most important glass repair players in Belgium after the undisputed market leader Car Glass. ‘We want to grow into a strong number two”, says Charline Leroi from AutoGlass Clinic, who remains […]
May 24, 2023
According to news site Politico negotiations between Brussels and Washington on the protectionist Inflation Reduction Act, blocking EU-made EVs from incentives in the United States, are stuck in a rut. Both parties disagree on the legal framework of the deal. Ever since Joe Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act, favouring only American-made BEVs with batteries […]
May 24, 2023
The lobby organisation for car manufacturers ACEA is flashing the lights again on the proposed Euro 7 rules, which are considered unnecessary and a waste of money by many car brands. A new survey has calculated that the price increase could be four to seven times higher than initially accounted for. “The effects on the […]
May 23, 2023
Chinese car giant Geely is increasing its interest in iconic British sports car brands. The owner of Lotus has raised its share in Aston Martin to 17 percent, a little more than a half year after it stepped in, buying 7,6 percent in September last year. Geely is now the third-biggest shareholder of Aston Martin. […]
May 23, 2023
Chinese battery maker Gotion High-Tech, a company heavily backed by Volkswagen, has unveiled its L600 battery. Its cells use lithium manganese ferro phosphate chemistry capable of providing a range of 1 000 kilometers. Under the optimistic Chinese driving cycle, that is. Battery packs promising 1 000 kilometers of range aren’t new, but until today, these […]
May 19, 2023
In Harmelen, the Netherlands, Shell and Nio have inaugurated their first jointly deployed swapping station. This means the Chinese EV maker network now grows to 17 stations, spread over Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. As the roll-out plan lags, the companies hope to scale up fast. Nio follows its path with swapping stations, […]
May 19, 2023
The University of Aachen has spawned a sustainable car meant to stick around for fifty years. The boxy SUV propagates flexibility and features not only swappable materials but also swappable drivelines. It’s survival of the fittest but on wheels – an answer to the uncertainties of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The Space, a […]
May 19, 2023
Mercedes has unveiled its new VAN.EA architecture. The modular underpinnings can house a variety of van models, from medium to large, and must significantly boost electrifying its utility department. The first models on the new platform are expected in 2026. The VAN.EA platform, which will be produced in sites all over the world from Mercedes, […]
May 19, 2023
It’s been two years since Nissan ceased production of the Nissan Navara and closed its factory near Barcelona. But a Spanish group of investors is reanimating the model and preparing to launch an all-electric Navara called Ebro. As pickup trucks are challenging to comply with stern emission rulings in the EU, Nissan decided to withdraw […]
May 16, 2023
French President Macron is accelerating his plans to put France at the forefront of the zero-emission transition in the automotive industry. After his CO2 tax favoring local-built EVs and announcing a battery plant in Northern France, Macron met with Elon Musk at the Choose France Summit to discuss an investment. After the summit, which took […]
May 15, 2023
Mercedes starts to manufacture the EQE and EQS models with aluminium of a significantly reduced carbon footprint as of this summer. As aluminium production emits up to four times more CO2 than steel, this is an important step in further reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its EVs. Compared to the average, the reduction in the […]
May 12, 2023
According to German Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, electric fuels have the potential to reach cost parity with actual oil-based fuels. Today’s price of 50 euros per liter could fall to 1 euro as industrialization and cheaper CO2 capture reap benefits. But uncertainties remain to be resolved. As the EU approved electric or synthetic […]
May 12, 2023
The Danish capital plans to oust all passenger cars on combustion engines from its center by the decade’s end. The proposition isn’t put into law yet but has been accepted by all the governing parties. The confines of the electric-only zone will be determined after a feasibility study. Copenhagen is an example of the transition […]
May 11, 2023
BMW has promised a prototype by 2025. Toyota says it has developers working like ants to make it work. And specialist Dotstore says we shouldn’t expect them before the beginning of the next decade. And then there’s Chinese EV start-up Nio, who filed for three BEV models with assumed solid-state technology expected to hit the […]
May 11, 2023
The world’s biggest carmaker, Toyota, managed to boost revenue last year by 18%, while output was still plagued by supply chain constraints. The results from its last fiscal year unveil a slipping net income, but the performance nonetheless exceeds expectations. The group’s new boss Koji Sato comments that he sees further sales growth for the […]
May 10, 2023
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) has inaugurated the first supercharger station from Sparki, a provider rooted in Belgium. The two superchargers in Deinze kickstart the first series of six ultra-fast charging stations capable of 300 kW, becoming operational in the following days. By the end of this year, the start-up company wants to […]
May 05, 2023
Volvo is the next car manufacturer to lay off staff in the wake of the electric transition challenging the automotive industry. To streamline its efficiency, the company is reducing its office-based national workforce by 6%, corresponding to 1 300 jobs. So, the cuts are made entirely in Sweden. In an official statement, CEO of Volvo […]
May 04, 2023
In Sint-Truiden, gearbox manufacturer Punch Powertrain has kickstarted the production of components for the eDCT transmission for Stellantis. The gearbox will be assembled in the car giant’s 1,2 million vehicles, providing substantial CO2 savings. “Our patented technology enables us to bring sustainable technologies to global markets at affordable cost,” said Jorge Solis, CEO of Punch […]
April 28, 2023
On its home turf, Chinese car giant BYD has beaten Volkswagen and is currently the number one brand in sales. Also, the brand doubled its registrations worldwide, boosting its profit fivefold during the first quarter of 2023. At Auto Shanghai, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume stated, “BYD is very, very strong”. Reporting on its sales for […]
April 27, 2023
The latest study from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals a significant jump in the adoption of electric cars around the globe. In a year-on-year comparison, the share has risen from 9% in 2021 to 14% in 2022, a new record. Expectations for this year are a further rise of 35%. In its yearly ‘Global […]
April 21, 2023
Chinese premium carmaker Nio wants to move down the ladder. Under the codename Firefly, its CEO confirmed that a new subbrand is in the making, which will focus on Europe and aims at launching a small EV below the €25 000 mark to rival the forthcoming Volkswagen ID.2. Nio CEO Lihong Qin unveiled the plans […]
April 21, 2023
As the top-selling New Energy Vehicle brand in China, BYD didn’t miss out on its appointment at Auto Shanghai 2023. Instead, the brand showcased the concept car Song L, kickstarted pre-sales of the compact Seagull, and launched the Chaser 07. The latter is a plug-in hybrid, which applies to the NEV category. Starting with the […]
April 20, 2023
No first-quarter figures for 2023 were as anticipated as those from Tesla. Kickstarting a price war in the EV category and defying the other car makers, curiosity about side effects on income was high. For Tesla, gaining that market share comes at the cost of earnings dropping by more than 20%. The good news was […]
April 18, 2023
Clinging onto its dynamic reputation, BMW has unveiled its fastest zero-emission car of the range. Out of a completely overhauled dual-motor powertrain, the model is called i7 M70 xDrive. This topliner can hit 100 km/hour from a standstill in 3,7 seconds with launch control, propelled by a combined output of 660 hp. The i7 lifts […]
April 18, 2023
Polestar has thrown the rear window, well, out of the window on its latest addition to the range. Though the number in its nametag suggests otherwise, the cross-over coupé 4 slots exactly between the sedan 2 and the larger SUV 3. The new model was unveiled at the press day of Auto Shanghai. Swedish-Chinese EV […]
April 17, 2023
Germany and the Netherlands are starting a cooperation on battery development for the European industry, by collaboration between two of their development nerve centers. The Dutch TNO Holst Center and the German Zentrum für Sonnenenergie un Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW) will join forces to remedy some of the pain points of the lithium-ion battery. TNO and ZSW […]
April 17, 2023
The Luvly brand is near to producing its microcar O, which can ship as a flatpack and puts a strong accent on safety. With a length of 2,7 meters and a weight of five times less than a regular battery-powered car, the Luvly O joins the growing ‘cuddly’ category of tiny cars like the Citroën […]
April 14, 2023
Images and preliminary info of MG’s all-electric roadster have been released before its official debut at the Chinese motor show Auto Shanghai later this month. The body type of a roadster is historically rooted in the back-then British brand, but this new version is in every sense a modern take on that old formula. Instead […]
April 14, 2023
Japanese carmaker Toyota takes a further step in its global multi-tech strategy for decarbonizing conventional drivelines. With oil giant Exxon Mobile, it has partnered to test so-called low-carbon fuels in some ICE models. According to the official statement, the potential is to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint by 75%. Even though Toyota is gradually adopting […]
April 12, 2023
Still under camouflage, Smart has unveiled the first pictures of the #3 on Sina Weibo, the Chinese microblog site. This model shares most of its technical components with the #1, but should be regarded as the bigger brother. We know ‘big’ remains a strange word to us in the Smart context, as the recently launched […]
