February 12, 2025
To boost the sales volume of its most accessible electric model, Audi is reintroducing the 40 designations to its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-Tron lineup. However, it receives a revamped powertrain to improve efficiency while lowering the price threshold. In late 2023, Audi made a series of technical upgrades to the Q4 e-tron range, […]
February 12, 2025
Whether the action can count on much sympathy remains to be seen, but the trade unions VSOA Spoor and OVS have submitted notices for a railway strike of no less than nine days, from 21 February at 10 pm to 2 March at 10 pm. The strike is mainly directed against a number of measures […]
February 11, 2025
Nowhere is train traffic less punctual than in Genk (Flanders) and Rixensart (Wallonia). In 2024, NMBS/SNCB scored an overall punctuality score of 90%. That is, nine out of ten trains arrived at their destination “with less than six minutes delay”. However, Genk’s punctuality rate is only 75.7%. One in four trains arrives in Genk with […]
February 11, 2025
Five people were killed, and nine were seriously injured: that is a painful record of accidents last year at level crossings in Belgium. In total, there were 30 accidents, one less than in 2023. According to rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, the balance is clearly in decline. During the 2008-2021 period, for example, there were an […]
February 11, 2025
According to a report in the newspaper De Tijd, the number of public EV charging points in Flanders nearly doubled in 2024, significantly surpassing government targets. This further cements Belgium’s position as a frontrunner in the adoption of electric mobility, as new registrations of EVs last year surged to the highest rate of any European […]
February 07, 2025
Plug-in hybrids saw a modest decline in Europe last year (-4%), and despite renewed government strategies and binding CO2 targets, their popularity isn’t expected to rise much. Stricter emission rulings will prevent carmakers from launching new models. So, as the Belgian government provides some slack for these plugged fossil drivelines, nothing fundamental is about to […]
February 07, 2025
In Wallonia, nearly 8 in 10 drivers (77%) admit that they cannot resist the temptation to use their phones while driving. This is according to a survey by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) published on Thursday, World Mobile Phone Free Day. In Wallonia, an average of 16 accidents with deaths or injuries are caused […]
February 06, 2025
The last locomotive built in Belgium, the so-called “2160,” has been saved from scrapping, according to the newspaper Le Soir. The unit, initially sold to a scrap dealer, is moving to the Musée de Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des Trois Vallées in Treignes, in the province of Namur. Anyone who now thinks that the […]
February 05, 2025
At Ypto, the IT company of the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB, consultants have been awarded lucrative contracts without public tender for years. This appears from an investigation by the Treasury, reports the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. In a reaction, the NMBS/SNCB states that it has already taken measures at its IT subsidiary Ypto over […]
February 05, 2025
To improve safety on Belgian roads, the new De Wever I government plans to introduce a driver’s license system with points–without describing it in those words. Anyone who accumulates violations in the future will no longer slip through the net but will automatically be summoned to the police court. For example, the coalition agreement states that […]
February 05, 2025
There will not be a train station at Charleroi Airport after all. That is what the new Minister of Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition Jean-Luc Crucke (ex MR, but Les Engagés since 2023) told his predecessor Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) during the power transfer. “It would cost way too much. We cannot spend public money this […]
February 05, 2025
In January 2025, 63,008 second-hand cars were registered, 1,100 units more than in January 2024 and 5,873 units more than in January 2023. According to Filip Rylant, spokesperson for mobility federation Traxio, this indicates a continued growth trend thanks to a gradual price decline and abundant supply. The total figure for January 2023 was 57,135 […]
February 04, 2025
The new federal government plans to expand the permitted use of smart cameras to facilitate police work. According to business newspaper De Tijd, the intention is to use more AI cameras to track down suspects and, for example, detect mobile phone use behind the wheel. The network of license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be […]
February 03, 2025
Flemish shared bike provider Blue-bike, owned by public transport operator De Lijn, experienced its most vigorous membership growth last year since its inception in 2011. The more than 45,000 members also made a record number of rides, at just over 377,000. Blue-bike, known for the slogan ‘Always a bike at the tip of your fingers,’ […]
February 03, 2025
Antwerp-based transport company ADLC, which offers transportation by drones to companies, has raised 2 million euros in fresh capital. With that additional money, the company plans to further expand its services in the maritime and offshore industry. From now on, DronePort in Sint-Truiden, at the former air force base in Brustum, Limburg, will also be […]
January 29, 2025
Spanish charging station operator Eranovum wants to install more than 1,000 charging stations in Belgium over the next three years. The company says there are many opportunities, especially in Wallonia. In France, the company also wants to install 1,000 additional charging points this year, in addition to the 9,000 it targets in Spain by 2026. […]
January 29, 2025
While 2,900 employees will lose their jobs on February 28th, 2025, when the last Audi Q8 e-tron will be made at Audi Brussels, Belgium’s only remaining car factory, Volvo Car Gent is looking for 350 new people to start building the EX30 in Europe. Volvo announced in October last year its intention to build the […]
January 28, 2025
Due to track works, there will be fewer trains to Brussels Airport train station from February 1st to 21st and the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. A transfer or bus connection will be necessary for specific trips. Railroad manager Infrabel is renewing the tracks in Zaventem for the airport connection. In addition, a switch […]
January 28, 2025
Belgian Paralympic boccia player Francis Rombouts has filed a lawsuit against the public railroad company NMBS/SNCB because he cannot take the train in his hometown of Tielen. The case, dragging on for years, was heard yesterday at the Brussels Court of Appeal. And to make it even more painful, Rombouts could not enter the courtroom […]
January 28, 2025
According to a recent study by consulting company PwC, global sales of battery electric vehicles climbed to 10.4 million units in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, regional variations highlight the uneven adoption of electric vehicles worldwide, with China firmly in the lead in absolute numbers. However, Belgium beats China […]
January 24, 2025
According to the Belgian business newspaper De Tijd, Austrian energy and chemical giant OMV has advanced plans to build a refinery in the port of Antwerp. At the Kallo plant, waste streams such as used frying oil and other vegetable or animal fats from the food and agricultural sectors could be converted into sustainable aviation […]
January 23, 2025
Chinese manufacturer Segway-Ninebot, the global leader in e-scooters with more than 13 million Ninebot eKickScooters on the road, is launching its next generation of eKickScooters. Seven new models are involved. With that new generation, the quality, such as an improved suspension system and the driving range of almost every model, increases slightly again. Like all […]
January 23, 2025
According to formateur Bart De Wever (N-VA), the so-called ‘Arizona coalition’ is gradually entering the final straight line for forming a new federal government. One notable mobility measure on the table is that Charleroi Airport would get a connection to the rail network. This is according to a leak to the newspaper La Libre Belgique, […]
January 22, 2025
Figures requested by Flemish member of parliament An Christaens (CD&V) show that the public transport company De Lijn has more than 300 buses with more than 1 million kilometers on the counter. Because of this outdated bus fleet, De Lijn is increasingly struggling with technical problems, and passengers are paying the toll. De Lijn has […]
January 21, 2025
Brussels Airport is launching a pilot project to sell the power generated by its solar panels to 100 households in four neighboring municipalities. The airport operator promises a discount of about 124 euros off an average household’s annual electric energy bill. Collaboration with energy platform Bolt The pilot project is being run in collaboration with […]
January 21, 2025
Fastned, the Dutch operator of EV charging stations, has signed a deal with One Hundred, an Amsterdam-based holding company, to provide high-quality toilet service at its charging stations in Belgium and the Netherlands. For that matter, everyone may or can help pay as Fastned will also issue new bonds. The proceeds will be used to […]
January 20, 2025
D’Ieteren Energy, the new energy arm of Belgian auto importer D’Ieteren, is steping into hypercharging with the unveiling of its innovative FusionCharger. This cutting-edge DC charging station, developed by Huawei, leverages liquid-cooled technology to deliver ultrafast charging capabilities and keep peak power available regardless the number of charging cars. The FusionCharger was under demonstration at […]
January 20, 2025
The 17th edition of the bicycle fair Velofollies attracted over 39,000 people to Kortrijk Xpo. The e-bike was still central to the offerings of just about all manufacturers. Sales of e-bikes fell by 5.9% last year. With a drop of 11.6%, sales of traditional bikes took an even harder hit, but the second-hand market for […]
January 17, 2025
The Brussels urban movement BRAL, together with other civil society organizations, points out a legal error in the ordinance on the postponement of the tightening of the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) in the Brussels Capital Region. Due to a reference to the wrong article, many diesel and gasoline cars will be driving “illegally” in Brussels. According […]
January 16, 2025
Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB carried some 245 million train passengers last year, almost half a million more than in 2023. It is thus approaching the record number of 253 million passengers in 2019, indicating a solid recovery after Covid-19. However, introducing the new timetable continues to cause discontent and dissatisfied travelers here and there. […]
January 16, 2025
Volvo has set a new sales record in Belgium, selling 24.221 cars, a growth of 13.6% compared with 2023, and lifting the brand to sixth position in the top ten most popular brands. That growth was ‘fueled’ primarily by its electric cars, with fully electric BEVs accounting for 69%. Adding the plug-in hybrids, the figure […]
January 15, 2025
Last year, Brussels Airport welcomed 23.6 million passengers. That’s 6.4% more than in 2023 but still just over 10% below the record level set before the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with the business newspaper De Tijd, CEO Arnaud Feist also states unequivocally that Brussels Airport will not be able to meet the noise standards […]
January 13, 2025
From Friday to Sunday, Kortrijk Xpo will host Velofollies, the leading trade fair for cycling enthusiasts in Flanders. At this 17th edition, there will be a lot of interest in gravel bikes and e-bikes, two trends of recent years that have not lost popularity. Velofollies is the second largest bike fair in Europe, after Eurobike […]
January 13, 2025
The Brussels Motor Show (BMS) saw a blitz start regarding visitors this weekend. Almost 80,000 visitors assembled in the Brussels Expo exhibition halls at the Heysel on Saturday and Sunday. It is already clear that the disappearance of the Geneva Motor Show has a positive effect on the Brussels Motor Show. Last Friday was press […]
January 10, 2025
The Belgian railroad company NMBS/SNCB’s train punctuality reached 89.7% last year, an improvement of 2.2% compared to 2023 when it had fallen to its lowest level in five years. This puts punctuality back on the course agreed with the federal government. But at just under 46,000, the number of canceled trains remains high. 9 out […]
January 09, 2025
The Lufthansa Group plans to hire some 10,000 new employees this year. Three hundred sixty people are involved at the subsidiary Brussels Airlines. Last year, the entire Lufthansa Group recruited 13,000 people. All these new hires clearly signal that the group, the largest in Europe and fourth largest in the world by revenue, has shaken […]
January 09, 2025
In 2024, the number of company cars fell for the second year. The share of employees with a company car dropped slightly, to 14% or one in seven. The decline occurred in all regions and sectors but was most pronounced among young people (up to 30 years old). Also, the fleet’s greening continued. These are […]
January 09, 2025
According to the Belgian Mobility Dashboard (BMD) calculations, the economic cost of traffic congestion in 2024 reached 5.3 billion euros, or 5% more than in the previous year. In 2024, that time loss per motorist averaged 6 minutes and 35 seconds per day or over 40 hours throughout the year, up 1% compared to 2023. […]
January 08, 2025
The market share of Lineas, Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, has fallen below 50%. However, it is still higher than the European average. This is according to a report by the Belgian rail regulator. The report refers to 2023. According to the Rail Transport and Airport Operations Regulatory Service, Lineas’ market share then fell […]
January 08, 2025
For the first time in Belgium, the truck kilometer charge has brought in more than a billion euros. This is according to statistics for 2024 published by Viapass, the public body that coordinates and monitors road pricing in Belgium. Tolls brought in 658 million euros in Flanders, 347.1 million in Wallonia, and 10.8 million in […]
January 07, 2025
Between 2017 and 2024, the modal share of the car in Wallonia dropped from 83% to 71.4%, although the car remains the most popular means of travel there, as just under three-quarters of trips were made by car. This is according to figures from the FPS Mobility and the Walloon statistics office Iweps. Attempts to […]
January 06, 2025
In the Brussels Capital Region, network operator Sibelga is converting streetlights into charging stations for EVs. BRUZZ and L’Echo/De Tijd, among others, report this. Such solutions should reduce the impact of charging points on public spaces. Some 40 such charging points are already operational, located in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, the City of Brussels, and Uccle. Another ten […]
January 03, 2025
Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wants to allow super trucks on Flemish highways within two years. The approval for the longer and heavier vehicles, or LHVs as these trucks that are up to 25,25 meters long and weigh up to 60 tons are officially called, will come on condition that a few strict […]
January 03, 2025
Chinese Chery Automotive is expanding its dealerships for its Omoda and Jaecoo brands in Belgium to Wallonia by signing up Stellantis dealer Groupe Ricco, which has footholds in Arlon, Libramont, Marche, and Rochefort and now also adding Groupe GSL. The latter covers the region of Nivelles and Charleroi. However, Chery has swallowed its EV ambitions […]
December 31, 2024
8,4 million. That is the number of traffic offenses committed by motorists on Belgian roads in 2023. So reports Sudpresse newspapers, based on figures from the FPS Finance. Most of those violations were speeding violations (6,8 million). In most cases, these were not major speeding offenses but involved driving between 0 and 10 km too […]
December 27, 2024
Leapmotor plans to make waves at the 101st Brussels Motor Show in January 2025 by unveiling its latest innovation: the C10 REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle). This marks the first introduction of Leapmotor’s REEV technology in Europe as the company seeks to expand its presence in the growing EV and hybrid markets. Leapmotor enlarges its […]
December 24, 2024
An analysis by business newspaper De Tijd/L’Echo, based on figures from Fedris, the Belgian Federal Agency for Occupational Risks, shows that the number of commuting accidents in Belgium is climbing rapidly. The figure has risen to the third highest ever, and it exposes once again one of the pain points: inadequately adapted infrastructure, such as […]
December 20, 2024
The Belgian and French railroads have inaugurated the first run of a new conventional train connection between Brussels and Paris. The journey will take three hours with the new connection, operated by OUIGO, SNCF’s low-cost brand, compared to 1h22 with Eurostar. A ticket is available for 10 euros one way. With this new connection, NMBS/SNCB […]
December 20, 2024
Air Belgium will continue cargo operations under the name Air One Belgium. So reports CEO Niky Terzakis. The 64-year-old aviation entrepreneur will remain at the helm of his brainchild. However, following financial troubles, the company has now been acquired by a Dutch PESA Aviation Management consortium and British Air One Holding International. “The bidder has […]
December 19, 2024
Brussels Airport expects to handle a record number of passengers this Christmas vacation. According to the airport in Zaventem, that number would fly above the million for the first time. The start of the vacation, Friday, December 20th, will be the busiest day with 72,000 passengers, according to the airport. This will involve some 40,000 […]
December 19, 2024
Alfa Romeo is bringing a world premiere to the Brussels Motor Show next January. The Italian brand will unveil the four-wheel driven version of its small SUV Junior, based on the hybrid driveline. It seems Stellantis is keen on making a grand entrance in the capital of Europe. With the demise of motor shows worldwide, […]
December 18, 2024
More than one in four Brussels motorists (27%) could do without a car. This is the finding of a survey conducted by Brussels Mobility. Through the sample of 1,900 Brussels residents with a car, Brussels Mobility aims to better understand car use and which alternatives to the car could be made more attractive. On average, […]
December 17, 2024
Tomorrow, the first train will enter Mons’ renovated station with its new ‘Gare-Passerelle,’ or walkway station. The new footbridge, an 182-meter-long metal structure weighing 5,200 tons, is the eye-catcher of the building designed by the famous Spanish architect Calatrava. The official inauguration, in turn, is scheduled for January 31, 2025. The imposing project was delayed […]
December 16, 2024
As expected, the Nivelles business court has approved the take-over of financially troubled airline Air Belgium by a consortium of Dutch PESO Aviation Management and British Air Ones Holding International. It was the only final offer submitted on time. Air Belgium’s lawyers and the delegated judge had advised the court last week to accept the […]
December 16, 2024
NMBS/SNCB’s new timetable has been in effect since Sunday, although today, due to the many commuters on the first working day of the week, provides the first real major test. The Belgian public railroad company’s offer is expanding by almost 2% to 85,6 million km per year, and more than 200 abolished rides are returning. […]
December 13, 2024
The tax on the private use of a diesel or gasoline company car – the so-called taxable ‘benefit in kind’, (Voordeel Alle Aard, VAA – will increase in 2025. According to human resources service provider SD Worx, a few euros are added monthly. You ‘get’ a car from work but must pay taxes on its […]
December 13, 2024
The introduction of an annual road tax for new electric cars in Flanders, initially set to take effect on January 1st, 2025, has been postponed. This was confirmed by the cabinet of Flemish Finance Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) to Het Laatste Nieuws. The delay is attributed to the ongoing development of a taxation formula and […]
December 13, 2024
The closure of five Brussels car tunnels by 2030, including two on Avenue Louise and two on the central ring road, would save 100 million euros in the long run and have no major impact on mobility. This is according to a cost-benefit analysis of Brussels tunnels commissioned by Brussels Mobility and reported by the […]
December 12, 2024
At ArcelorMittal in Ghent, the first barge has been left with bioethanol derived from captured CO2. It is the first time that the steel plant’s so-called ‘Steelanol’ plant has provided enough sustainable fuel for inland barges to start using. The plant, a first for the European steel industry announced in 2019, could eventually reach an […]
December 11, 2024
Hyundai has commercially launched its ‘cheap’ compact EV, the Inster, in European markets, including Belgium. The Inster aims to compete with the Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, with a sub-€25,000 price tag and a WLTP range of up to 370 km. The Inster is the European version of the Hyundai Casper Electric, which is […]
