September 11, 2026
The total cost of the new tram line in Liège will amount to 1.3 billion euros. That is the conclusion reached by the Court of Auditors in a new report. While this is ‘only’ a good 139 million euros higher than when the PPP contract was signed in 2019, it represents a doubling compared to […]
September 11, 2026
After BYD, Geely is joining the race to superfast charging. The company claims it is running test cars in China filling up in five minutes at 1.800 kW superchargers. Europe is also on the radar. Tesla once built an empire by selling electric cars accompanied by the charging stations that power them and that could […]
September 11, 2026
The number of accidents resulting in injuries while commuting to or from work using soft mobility increased by more than 9% last year. This is according to a study by the industry association Assuralia. Infrastructure is a contributing factor to this upward trend, which has been underway for several years, but the main explanation is […]
September 11, 2026
Last weekend, a serious incident of aggression occurred against a ticket inspector working for the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn at Antwerp-Berchem station. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as figures from the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws show that De Lijn recorded 226 violent incidents against tickets inspectors last year. That is a […]
September 11, 2026
After the Renault Scenic got an update, its Japanese twin model gets the same treatment, upgrading to two battery options, increasing range to 650 kilometers. Mitsubishi has updated the Eclipse Cross with two new battery choices, ditching the previous single 87 kWh pack for a more flexible two-tier lineup. Whereas Mitsubishi only offered the larger […]
September 10, 2026
In Brussels, the debate is once again in full swing over the ban on e-scooter-sharing services that the Brussels Region plans to introduce in 2027. It’s sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that the various government bodies themselves have made quite a mess of things themselves, as the logic behind the regulations is […]
September 10, 2026
The days when an end-of-life car disappeared into a scrapyard are increasingly numbered. Belgian vehicle recycling already recovers 98% of a scrapped car’s weight, but the next challenge is more ambitious: keeping complete parts in use rather than reducing everything to raw materials. West-Flemish dismantler Autohandel Didier, founded in 1993 by Didier Vanwijnsberghe, illustrates how […]
September 10, 2026
The new Pixo will revive a badge that was ditched in 2013. Can Nissan make a mark with its Japanese version of the Renault Twingo E-Tech in the booming affordable EV segment? To be clear: Nissan hasn’t unveiled the Pixo yet. But on World EV Day, the Japanese brand confirmed what everybody already suspected: the […]
September 10, 2026
D’Ieteren Group is changing drivers at a remarkably sensitive moment. Francis Deprez will step down as CEO in December after seven years at the helm and will be replaced by Belgian investment specialist Eric Machiels. The announcement comes barely a week after D’Ieteren Automotive put 344 Belgian jobs at risk – and as the group […]
September 10, 2026
Should the climate lawsuit filed by Belgian organic farmer Hugues Falys against TotalEnergies be moved again from Mons to Tournai? If it were up to the French oil giant, it would be, as TotalEnergies has filed a motion to that effect. In any case, it is a remarkable procedural move, and according to the NGOs […]
September 09, 2026
Volkswagen is preparing to launch a long-wheelbase version of its ID. Buzz Cargo. The LWB passenger version is already available, but now the van-version follows suit. At a brand event in Berlin, Volkswagen has unveiled a long wheelbase version of its electric ID. Buzz Cargo van. The longer wheelbase will bring several improvements for professional […]
September 09, 2026
In July and August, 15 million occasional passengers chose to travel by train. These were passengers with single-trip tickets, not season passes. That was 9,3% more than during the same period last year. The Belgian coast remained one of the most popular destinations: during the summer, 1,7 million tickets were sold to and from coastal […]
September 09, 2026
Fastned has officially inaugurated its largest charging station in Wallonia, with twelve ultra-fast charging points along the E411 at Libin. But behind the new yellow canopy lies another story: the ambitious Fastned-IDELUX network announced two years ago is taking considerably longer to materialize than initially planned – and one of the original eleven locations has […]
September 09, 2026
The Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara inaugurated Europe’s largest CO2 capture plant on Monday in Sluiskil (the Netherlands), near the Belgian border. The aim is to capture up to 800,000 tons of CO2 from its ammonia production every year, or about 0.5 percent of the Netherlands’ total annual emissions, and store it permanently. The plant completes […]
September 09, 2026
Only days after announcing a restructuring that could put 344 jobs at risk, D’Ieteren Automotive has opened a new Bugatti showroom and workshop in Drogenbos, south of Brussels. At first sight, the timing could hardly be more contradictory. In reality, it says a lot about where Belgium’s biggest car importer thinks money will still be […]
September 09, 2026
Belgium’s plan to make the federal mobility budget compulsory for employers offering company cars could punch a hole of up to €1 billion a year in federal revenues, according to calculations by consultancy EY seen by De Tijd. The figure is striking, but it is not a forecast: it represents a scenario in which one […]
September 08, 2026
The Swedish EV brand Polestar has unveiled a first glimpse of what the new 2 and 7 will look like. Is the timing of the design meant to mask the tough news that accompanied the latest publication of its balance sheet? Geely-owned Polestar has pulled back the curtain on the Formula 2030 design study at […]
September 08, 2026
Antwerp, Leuven, and Brussels Airport are now connected to Germany – specifically Cologne – by high-speed train. This is the first-ever high-speed train service between Antwerp and Germany. Deutsche Bahn is operating its newest ICE neo trains on this route, which can accommodate over 400 passengers and reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. Thanks […]
September 08, 2026
Nissan has appointed Tom Stampaert as Country Performance Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg. The title may sound less senior than the former ‘Country Manager’ label, but the job is substantial. Stampaert will lead Nissan’s commercial activities in both countries and work closely with the local organization and dealer network. He arrives at a difficult moment. […]
September 08, 2026
Anyone logging into the Belgian platform Just-on-web from Monday onward to pay a speeding fine will receive testimonials from mothers of children killed in accidents, alongside the federal speeding violation notices. In addition, the federal letters on speeding violations include cards with personal messages from witnesses. That is the core of a new road safety […]
September 07, 2026
Brussels Airlines plans to resume operating one to two daily flights to Tel Aviv starting in September. Unlike in the past, the airline no longer wants to rely exclusively on volunteers for these flights and instead intends to require staff to work them through the standard scheduling process. According to the ACV Puls union, Brussels […]
September 07, 2026
Three weeks after Geely announced its €20,000 E2 for Belgium and the Netherlands, the compact EV is moving from announcement to reality. The first cars have reached Belgian showrooms, while Dutch dealers are opening their doors for orders and test drives. And Geely is not relying on a handful of experimental outlets: the brand already […]
September 07, 2026
When we first met the Mazda CX-6e at its static Belgian presentation in June, the central question was obvious: can an electric SUV developed together with Changan and built in China really feel like a Mazda? After roughly three hours behind the wheel around Düsseldorf, the answer is clearer. On the road, surprisingly often yes. […]
September 04, 2026
According to the federal police, the latest Bob campaign conducted in Belgium during the summer has once again presented encouraging results, with ‘only’ 1.36% of drivers testing positive for alcohol. When the first campaign was launched in 1995 – 31 years ago – that figure was still 6.4%. The message is certainly getting through, then […]
September 04, 2026
Range Rover’s first battery-powered car is a flagship model that promises V8 prowess without the emissions from gasoline. According to the brand, it is a Range Rover first and an electric second. But is that good enough to persuade the wealthy buyers who sidestepped the electric Mercedes G-Class? Maybe the real competitor here is exactly […]
September 04, 2026
D’Ieteren, Belgium’s largest car importer, has announced a major restructuring that could put up to 344 jobs at risk. The Volkswagen Group importer says the traditional model built around selling new cars no longer reflects market reality. The stock-quoted group wants to shift its focus further toward mobility services and longer-term customer relationships. D’Ieteren presented its […]
September 03, 2026
The federal energy regulator CREG, the Commission for Electricity and Gas Regulation, warns that the numerous projects planned by high-voltage grid operator Elia over the coming years will lead to high electricity rates for households and businesses. The plans include, among other things, the energy island, new high-voltage lines such as Ventilus and Boucle du […]
September 03, 2026
NMBS/SNCB has found a solution to the legal dispute arising from noise pollution caused by stationary diesel trains at the Lokeren station. The Belgian railway company is erecting a temporary noise barrier made of shipping containers, nearly 250 meters long. The stacked containers, representing an investment of 300,000 euros, will be placed near the former […]
September 03, 2026
The eagerly anticipated Polestar 4 SUV adds a rear window to the original concept. The model loses one of its most distinguishing features in exchange for more practicality. Is this car the one Polestar should have launched from the start? Polestar has finally done the obvious thing. The original 4, which is still the brand’s […]
September 03, 2026
Thanks to a new software update announced in February of this year, the Volvo EX30’s charging port can now finally power external devices. In addition to this Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, the compact electric car built at the Belgian Volvo Ghent plant for certain markets also gets Plug & Charge. The software update bringing V2L is […]
September 02, 2026
Belgian speed-pedelec start-up Specter has started production of its second-generation Specter 2, promising up to 200 kilometers of range and two-wheel drive. But the real achievement may be less spectacular than those headline figures: Specter has found a way to make much of the technology of its €10,000-plus first generation considerably more affordable, while bringing frame […]
September 02, 2026
Last week, Tesla updated its European configurator to show a WLTP range of 572 kilometers for the base rear-wheel-drive Model 3. Up from 534 kilometers, that’s an impressive gain. Especially because no new motor or cell chemistry swap was involved. Just new shoes from an Indonesian tire manufacturer that don’t bode well, based on initial customer […]
September 02, 2026
MINI used to be the kind of car employees wanted, but fleet managers hesitated to buy. In Belgium, that image has changed remarkably quickly. HR group Accent has now ordered 500 fully electric MINIs, the largest single EV order in MINI history worldwide. The cars, mainly Aceman and Countryman Electric models, will be deployed across […]
September 02, 2026
Belgian employees spend more than one hour a day traveling to and from work, making Belgium once again Europe’s commuting champion. But the explanation is not simply that Belgians live farther from their jobs. In fact, Dutch employees often cover even greater distances. Belgium’s problem is that those kilometers take unusually long to cover. According […]
September 02, 2026
The Belgian new-car market continued to claw back its poor start to 2026 in August. Registrations rose by 8.3% year-on-year to 28,295 cars, while fully electric models took a record 46.2% of the market. Yet the headline growth needs some perspective: August had one more working day than last year, and volumes remain well below […]
September 01, 2026
From 1 January 2027, the mandatory technical inspection before the sale of a used car will disappear in Flanders for vehicles already registered in Belgium. Mobility organization VAB says buyers should therefore rely on three “safety lines”: the regular roadworthiness inspection, the Car-Pass, and, for those seeking greater certainty, a voluntary professional diagnosis. The warning […]
September 01, 2026
Heylen Warehouses, the real estate arm of the family-owned industrial holding company led by the Kempen-based entrepreneur Wim Heylen, has purchased the former Audi site in the Brussels municipality of Forrest/Vorst. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. The site covers approximately 55 hectares and has been vacant for a year and a […]
September 01, 2026
Belgium’s biggest independent body repair network is changing ownership. After a period under the umbrella of a private equity firm, AutoRepairGroup has been acquired by its Finnish peer Suvia. It reads as an early sign of a consolidation wave that will ripple through the sector as electric vehicles are rewriting the playbook. AutoRepairGroup runs fourteen […]
September 01, 2026
Renault is upgrading the Scenic E-Tech electric with new features and services to enhance comfort, connectivity, and electric performance. With the 162 kW/220 hp motor, the Scenic E-Tech electric is now available with a choice of two new batteries offering greater range and shorter charging times at DC fast-charging points. The 89 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) long-range […]
August 31, 2026
At the start of the new school year in Flanders, things are traditionally busy at De Lijn because the public transportation company also operates buses for students in special education. In June, there was a lot of commotion because Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wanted to cut costs on those trips, but […]
August 31, 2026
Starting September 1, several new rules will take effect in Belgium, affecting traffic and mobility. For example, helmets will be required when riding an e-scooter capable of speeds exceeding 20 km/h. In Flanders, cars will only need to be inspected every two years after the initial inspection. Because an inspection certificate is valid throughout Belgium, […]
August 31, 2026
After four straight quarters of decline, BYD has managed to reverse the trend. The world’s largest EV maker, which was struggling in an overheated home market, posted a second-quarter net profit of 8.2 billion yuan (roughly 1.05 billion euros). That is a 30 percent year-on-year jump and the first time profitability has risen since early […]
August 28, 2026
It’s a bit like a British version of the heist movie The Italian Job, but with Sur-Ron e-bikes instead of Mini Coopers, because the London police have significantly expanded their fleet of Sur-Ron motorcycles to be able to chase criminals riding the same kind of bikes. The bikes, which are used by criminals in street […]
August 28, 2026
KU Leuven’s HydroTeam has reached an important milestone on its road to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its hydrogen-powered prototype has moved under its own power for the first time, completing laps inside Eastech Park in Leuven. That appears to make it Belgium’s first functioning race car powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. The […]
August 27, 2026
Melexis, the Belgian designer and developer of chips primarily for automotive sensors, has signed a Master Purchase Agreement (MPA) with China’s largest electric car manufacturer BYD. This partnership agreement gives Melexis more direct access to China’s enormous market to sell its chips in mass production, while BYD gains faster access to Melexis’s specialized sensor and […]
August 27, 2026
In 2024, 13,581 traffic casualties in Belgium were hospitalized following a traffic accident. Of these casualties, 3,232 people suffered serious injuries. That is 7% fewer than in 2023, and 17% fewer than in 2016, while total hospitalizations fell by 17%. The figures come from a new report published by Vias, the Belgian road safety institute. The […]
August 27, 2026
Belgian scale-up LIZY, a D’Ieteren subsidiary, has secured more than €300 million to expand its second-hand leasing model in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. But the bigger story is what happens to the first mass wave of electric company cars when their initial lease contracts end. The package is mainly debt: about €290 million from […]
August 26, 2026
Although large employers will be required to offer a mobility budget starting in 2027, Belgian companies do not expect a mass switch. The mobility budget may well be presented as an alternative to the company car, but employers do not believe that employees will adopt it en masse. According to a study by SD Worx among […]
August 26, 2026
The Latvian airline AirBaltic will not, after all, be launching flights from Liège Airport to the Canary Islands starting in late October. AirBaltic cites insufficient demand, combined with financial difficulties due to rising fuel costs, as the reason for the cancellation. This is a blow to Liège Airport, as the airport had not had a single […]
August 26, 2026
More than 2,500 battery analyses performed by D’Ieteren Automotive’s second-hand car divisions, My Way and Audi Approved, prove that modern EV batteries retain their battery capacity remarkably well. The average State of Health (SoH) was 95.9% for the entire EV car population measured. The analyses were executed in collaboration with MOBA, an expert in battery […]
August 25, 2026
Brussels Airport is testing a self-driving electric tractor in the cargo zone that transports cargo trailers between the warehouses and the tarmac. In the past, Brussels Airport and De Lijn have already tested a self-driving shuttle bus, and there is also an ongoing project involving a self-driving e-shuttle that transports airport staff. However, according to […]
August 24, 2026
On Friday, regional and municipal sanitation services cleared 5.5 metric tons of trash from around Brussels’ North Station, a notorious hotspot for litter, illegal dumping, and street debris. This is equivalent to the amount of trash an average Belgian family would accumulate over about ten to twelve years. The amount of cleared trash immediately highlights […]
August 24, 2026
ParkBee plans to expand its parking app service in Belgium to street parking. After this summer, drivers looking for a parking spot can find one not only in private parking garages using the ParkBee app but also on the street. ParkBee won’t add an additional service fee; the aim is to ease parking pressure in towns […]
August 24, 2026
The city of Genk (Belgium) will be among the first to establish an energy community in which residents, associations, and companies can buy and sell locally generated renewable electricity. Genk calls the initiative “a Belgian first for a public authority,” but municipalities including Ganshoren and Ixelles have already launched similar initiatives. For the Genk project, the […]
August 21, 2026
The Dutch airline Transavia plans to establish a long-term presence at Brussels Airport. It has opened a new crew center there and stationed a fourth aircraft. From now on, it will also employ Belgian staff, and the plan is to expand further the base, which currently employs 150 people. “Brussels has become a full-fledged fourth […]
August 21, 2026
The number of social safety experts at the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn has been cut in half since 2019, from six to three. According to the ACV union and several members of the Flemish Parliament, this number is sufficient to handle more than 2,000 cases of aggression annually, support victims, review surveillance footage, […]
August 20, 2026
A judge has ruled in favor of a resident living near the Lokeren station in a complaint about noise pollution from diesel trains left idling while on standby there. As a result of the ruling, the Belgian railway company NMBS/SNCB must adjust its schedule for trains serving Lokeren, the Ghent region, and Ronse, and vice […]
August 20, 2026
Volvo Car Gent has to start looking for a new plant director less than a year after Magnus Nilsson took charge. But his departure may be better news for the Belgian factory than it first appears. From September 1, Nilsson becomes Volvo Cars’ Chief Manufacturing Officer and joins the Executive Management Team, just as Ghent […]
August 20, 2026
Belgium’s EV sector is urging the federal government to launch a social-leasing scheme for electric cars from 2027, with both new and used EVs eligible. Sector federation EV Belgium says lower-income households that depend on a car for work should have access to affordable financing, allowing them to benefit from lower running costs rather than […]
August 19, 2026
Legally speaking, the door had been open for some time for the British company Virgin Trains to become a competitor to the high-speed rail operator Eurostar. But with approval from the British rail regulator ORR for rail access on High Speed 1 (HS1) – or between St. Pancras and the entrance to the Channel Tunnel […]
