Lower profit for Channel Tunnel operator Getlink

March 07, 2025

Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, posted a net profit of 317 million euros last year, down 5% from 2023. The drop in profits is due to the suspension of services from ElecLink, the high-voltage cable linking France and England through the Channel Tunnel. Competition from ferries also played tricks on Getlink. EuroTunnel, Getlink’s subsidiary […]

Norway to expand zero-emission zones to accelerate electrification

March 07, 2025

The Norwegian Transport Ministry is planning to ask the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to prepare legislation to allow municipalities to establish zero-emission zones (ZEZ). It will give the latter the possibility to reduce emissions and push for cleaner transport. The Administration will specifically look at the technical, legal, and practical aspects. It also stresses that […]

Electra opens its first fast-charging station in Luxembourg

March 06, 2025

European fast-charging specialist Electra has opened its first operational station in Capellen, Luxembourg, a well-known ‘tank’ stop for Belgian and Dutch drivers heading south on holiday. The company is active in nine European countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria—and has 426 stations and 2,520 charging points. The new charging station […]

Alpine puts its upcoming A390 on a cold diet

March 06, 2025

Renault daughter Alpine is currently testing its ‘sport fastback’ A390 in severe winter conditions in northern Sweden. The car will be officially presented on May 27th in its home turf, the Alpine factory in Dieppe near the Atlantic coast. “We are in Lapland to finalize the development in extreme conditions of the future A390, the […]

VW ID.Every1: Volkswagen wants to become ‘car for the people’ again

March 06, 2025

At a big event on Wednesday, Volkswagen showed its concept of the €20,000 BEV it wants to launch by 2027, the VW ID. Every1. The name gives away the whole idea: with this small BEV, ‘Volks-Wagen’ wants to become the manufacturer of ‘the car for all people’ again. With the series model, which will follow […]

500 physicians urge EU to stick to 2035 combustion engine phase-out

March 03, 2025

More than 500 doctors have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to uphold the planned 2035 phase-out of combustion engines, warning of serious health risks if the policy is weakened. The doctors criticized efforts to soften carbon dioxide (CO2) emission limits, arguing that delaying the transition would endanger public health. Road traffic […]

Fastned opens 37th station in Belgium and first one in Italy

March 03, 2025

Dutch fast-charging provider Fastned has opened its 37th station in Belgium in Hoeselt, midway between Hasselt and Liège along the E313 highway. It has two chargers, suitable for four charging bays, each with a maximum capacity of 400 kW. Fastned says electric drivers can charge their cars here with green electricity from the sun and […]

BMW Group’s main plant in Munich gears up for ‘Neue Klasse’

February 27, 2025

BMW Group Plant Munich is gearing up to launch the ‘Neue Klasse’ in the summer of 2026. Three new production halls are being built for the body shop, assembly, and associated production logistics during the ongoing operations. “For the production start of the Neue Klasse, we will have a state-of-the-art plant in Munich characterized by […]

€400 billion ‘Clean Deal’ must start EU’s green industrial rebirth

February 27, 2025

The European Commission proposed a significant action plan on Wednesday to accelerate the decarbonization of European industry. The Commission believes that EU countries must act now. The climate crisis, weak economic growth, declining business competitiveness, and significant geopolitical tensions (with Moscow, Washington, and Beijing) require a comprehensive transition plan.  Various supporting measures should help with […]

BMW puts plans for building Mini EVs in Oxford on ice

February 26, 2025

The BMW Group has halted its plan to manufacture electric Mini cars at the Oxford plant in England. Two all-electric models were due to roll off the production line at Oxford next year, but this has now been postponed. The BMW Group announced in 2023 that it would build two new all-electric Mini models in […]

Milence opens first megawatt chargers in port of Antwerp

February 26, 2025

Milence, the joint venture between Europe’s largest truckmakers created to develop the fast-charging network for battery-electric trucks, has deployed its first two chargers using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard. Belgium has the honor, as these MCS chargers can be found at the Ketenis truck stop in the port of Antwerp. The Megawatt Charging System […]

Electra and Bolt team up for fast charging in Belgium

February 26, 2025

Fast charging specialist Electra and mobility company Bolt are entering into a strategic partnership to strengthen the transition to electric driving. The deal will give Bolt partner drivers access to the largest fast-charging network in Belgium at preferential rates. Through the partnership, which was previously launched in France, the two companies aim to accelerate the […]

Study: phasing-out of gasoline and diesel crucial to EU’s car industry’s future

February 25, 2025

Is Europe’s ban on combustion engines a curse or a blessing for its industry? Dwindling profits, plant closures, and firm reliance on global outsourcing seem to point to the first, but a study from the University of Sussex claims the opposite. “Changing gears (or acting as Trump does in the US, ed.) would be a […]

Mercedes tests solid-state battery in adapted EQS

February 25, 2025

Mercedes-Benz has started testing a solid-state battery from partner Factorial Energy in a modified EQS this month. In the coming weeks, the Stuttgart-based company wants to collect data on the battery’s efficiency, durability, and performance. Road tests with the new solid-state battery in a ‘1,000 km’ EQS test car started in February 2025. According to […]

Will Lamborghini use sodium-ion batteries for its first EV?

February 25, 2025

While one would expect a luxury carmaker like Lamborghini to bet on solid-state technology for its debut in the electric supercar market, the Italian carmaker ordered a study at Princeton University to investigate sodium-ion chemistries. The results are promising.  As sodium-ion chemistries don’t rely on lithium, they are a cost-effective alternative to current lithium-ion battery […]

European Commission approves lifespan extension Doel 4 and Tihange 3

February 24, 2025

On Friday, February 21st, 2025, the European Commission approved extending the lifespans of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors. The core of the deal is that Engie agrees to keep the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors open for ten years longer in exchange for a maximum invoice for the disposal of nuclear […]

De Lijn orders hundreds of bus charging poles worth €24.2 million

February 24, 2025

The Flemish public transport company De Lijn has placed a new order for charging poles for electric buses. This time, it involves 600 to 900 charging poles from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka with a capacity of 50 to 180 kW, representing an investment of 24.2 million euros. The order is important in preparing De Lijn’s 50 depots to […]

BMW gives more info about its Gen6 electric drive

February 24, 2025

The BMW Group is presenting its next step in electric drive technology. At its Tech Days event in Landshut, the company provided some initial insights into developing and producing high-voltage batteries and electric drive systems using the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. This technology will benefit every fully electric Neue Klasse vehicle. The first […]

Dacia to build an €18,000 EV in Europe

February 21, 2025

Renault’s low-cost daughter, Dacia, has started developing a new European electric city car (A-segment). The model will be offered at around €18,000, probably also thanks to its close relationship with the Renault Twingo E-Tech. “Dacia wants to complete the development of the small electric car within 16 months,” Renault Group boss Luca de Meo told […]

Fastned raises record €36.5 million in first bond issue of 2025

February 21, 2025

Fastned, the European fast-charging company, has completed its most successful bond issue. With over €36.5 million raised in the company’s first tranche of 2025, Fastned raised the most significant amount ever in a single bond issue. More than €20 million of this latest issue resulted from new investments, and over €16 million came from existing […]

Mercedes cuts costs and invests to prepare for challenging years

February 21, 2025

Yesterday, Mercedes-Benz revealed plans to cut costs by several billion euros or 10% by 2027. Car production will be reduced from 2.5 million units to ±2.2 million in 2027. At the same time, the company wants to become “leaner, faster, and stronger”. Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached €13.6 billion (2023: €19.7 billion), […]

Flanders granted 18,543 premiums totaling €72.8 million for EVs

February 20, 2025

Flanders has distributed 18,543 premiums for electric cars, totaling 72.8 million euros. Most premiums were paid to private individuals—14,637 for new vehicles (under €40,000) and 3,141 for second-hand ones. In addition, 523 premiums went to non-profit organizations and foundations and 242 to car-sharing providers. The previous Flemish Mobility Minister, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), introduced the […]

New ES90 sedan starts software-defined era at Volvo Cars

February 20, 2025

Volvo Cars will officially launch the ES90, the sedan counterpart to the EX90 SUV, on March 5th. The new sedan is software-defined and based on the so-called Superset tech stack, a single set of hardware and software modules underpinning all future electric Volvo cars. The ES90 is designed to evolve and improve continuously through core […]

Renault and Geely to cooperate also in Brazil

February 19, 2025

The Renault Group and Geely Holding are joining forces to produce and sell zero- and low-emission vehicles in Brazil. Geely intends to acquire a stake in Renault do Brasil and, in return, will benefit from Renault’s local production, sales, and service resources. Both parties have agreed in a framework agreement that Geely Holding will become […]

IEA expects 4% increase annually in electricity consumption

February 18, 2025

The International Energy Agency expects global power consumption to rise to almost four percent annually until 2027. The demand for electricity is growing faster than in recent years because industries in many countries need more electricity. The increase is primarily due to the growing use of electricity for industrial production, the rising demand for air […]

Toyota presents third-generation of its fuel cell system

February 17, 2025

Toyota has unveiled its third-generation fuel cell system, which is intended for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trains, ships, and stationary applications. The market launch is planned for 2026. According to Toyota, the new generation is characterized by improved durability, efficiency, and cost reductions through innovations in cell design and manufacturing processes. However, the Japanese company […]

Belgium’s Doel 1 nuclear reactor permanently closed

February 17, 2025

After fifty years of power production, the Doel 1 nuclear reactor was shut down on Friday evening. After Doel 3 in 2022 and Tihange 2 in 2023, the third Belgian nuclear reactor has also been switched off. Doel 2 will follow on November 30th. Operator Engie reported the final shutdown. The reactor had been running longer […]

Kia unveils EV4 electric saloon and hatchback ahead of EV Day 2025

February 17, 2025

Kia has unveiled the design of its compact electric saloon and hatchback EV4 ahead of the brand’s EV Day 2025, which is set for February 27th. We get a good look at every angle of both body styles, but the EV4’s technical details and interior design remain a mystery. Kia promised us the production version […]

BMW steers its ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs with ‘Heart of Joy’

February 17, 2025

The BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX) serves as a rolling test rig for the drivetrain and driving dynamics management technology developed especially for the Neue Klasse, the next generation of BMW vehicles. BMW refers to it as the ‘Heart of Joy.’ The prototype car put the Heart of Joy’s capabilities to the ultimate endurance test […]

New technology converts jet wind into electricity

February 14, 2025

Aircraft taking off move an enormous amount of air. The American company JetWind Power Corporation now wants to use the jet wind that is released to generate energy. In this way, airplanes, which are polluting because they usually run on kerosene and emit CO2, can still contribute to sustainability. The idea is not revolutionary. In […]

Ember: ‘Solar energy outperformed coal for first time in Europe’

February 14, 2025

The sustainability of the European electricity market is going well. Last year, solar panels supplied more power than coal-fired power stations in the European Union for the first time, and gas declined for the fifth year in a row. Solar power grew strongly, by 21.7 percent to 304 TWh. On the other hand, the share of […]

Porsche plans to cut 1,900 jobs as profits slide

February 14, 2025

Porsche plans to cut 1,900 jobs in Germany as part of cost-cutting measures to reverse sliding profitability amid weak electric vehicle demand and “challenging geopolitical and economic conditions.” The job losses will affect workers at Porsche’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and its R&D site in Weissach. A year ago, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume lauded his […]

British solar-powered flow reactor turns captured CO2 into synthetic fuel

February 13, 2025

A University of Cambridge scientists team, led by professor Erwin Reisner, has created a solar-powered flow reactor that can capture C02 from the air at night and convert it into fuels like diesel, methanol, or ammonia during the day with the help of the sun. If scaled up, it would theoretically allow people to generate […]

Lucid and BMW challenge idea of need for ever bigger EV-batteries

February 13, 2025

As automakers continue to push the boundaries of the electric vehicle range, two industry namesakes – Lucid Motors and BMW – are advocating for a different approach. Both companies argue that more miniature battery packs, increased efficiency, and improved charging infrastructure are the future of sustainable EV adoption. Can less really be more? Lucid Motors, […]

Tesla kickstarts Shanghai Megafactory for energy storage

February 12, 2025

Tesla has officially commenced production at its newly constructed Megafactory in Shanghai, a new milestone in its rapidly expanding energy storage division. This facility is Tesla’s second dedicated energy storage production plant and has already rolled out its first Megapack unit, with initial orders ready for shipment. While Tesla’s core automotive business has recently encountered […]

World’s biggest battery maker prepares $5 billion listing in HongKong

February 12, 2025

China and, by extension, the world’s largest battery maker, CATL, is lodging its filings with regulators to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Reuters says. The company aims to raise some 5 billion dollars (€4.82 billion). It will be CATL’s secondary listing, as it has been on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since June […]

Deloitte: ‘Belgian individual car buyer hesitates to switch to an EV’

February 12, 2025

According to Deloitte’s Global Automotive Consumer Study 2025, four key trends will impact the Belgian automotive market most in the coming year. The most important is the hesitation to switch to electric cars. The study surveyed more than 31,000 consumers in 30 countries, including 999 Belgians, from October through December 2024 to explore opinions regarding […]

Public EV charging surges past government targets in Flanders

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 […]

Airbus warns its hydrogen aircraft to be delayed

February 10, 2025

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus’s development of the hydrogen aircraft is proceeding slower than expected, it says in a statement to the French news agency AFP. In doing so, Airbus is responding to a union pamphlet stating that the aircraft manufacturer has pushed back the target date for the aircraft’s entry into service by five to […]

Arval: ‘The small EV is finally conquering the company car market’

February 10, 2025

Leasing company Arval Belgium has published new data from its Arval Mobility Observatory indicating that the smaller EV is now seriously breaking through in the company car market. The number of PHEVs has fallen back to 10% of new registrations in this market. Nine of ten company cars ordered in 2024 through Arval have a […]

Ford scores good overall results but EV losses are piling up

February 07, 2025

Ford, the North American car manufacturer, made good profits in 2024 but once again recorded a hefty loss in its Model e division. At $5.1 billion, it was even higher than in 2023. Ford now wants to get the division back on track with a change of personnel at the very top and proposes extended-range […]

Volvo Cars had another record year but remains prudent about 2025

February 06, 2025

Volvo Cars had a second consecutive record-breaking year in 2024 and reports the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the company anticipates a turbulent 2025 due to challenging market conditions. Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion (€35.2 billion) for the first time in the company’s history due […]

Avere becomes E-Mobility Europe and calls for immediate action

February 05, 2025

In a significant move for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Avere, Europe’s leading e-mobility association, has officially rebranded itself as E-Mobility Europe. The new identity was unveiled on Monday during a launch event at Autoworld in Brussels. Chris Heron, Secretary General of E-Mobility Europe, emphasized the importance of 2025 for Europe’s EV transition. “This year […]

Deme and Jan De Nul win key contracts for Nordlicht offshore wind projects

February 03, 2025

Belgian dredging and maritime construction companies Deme and Jan De Nul have won contracts for two new offshore wind farms – Nordlicht 1 and 2 – in the German North Sea. When operational, they will provide power to approximately 1.7 million German households. The two wind farms will be located in a zone 85 kilometers […]

Renault shows electric demo car Filante Record 2025

January 30, 2025

Renault Filante Record 2025 is an electric demo car developed to maximize energy efficiency and set a new record for power consumption and range with an 87 kWh battery, i.e., the same capacity as the Scenic E-Tech electric. We’re talking about a single-seater with a streamlined body design for aerodynamic efficiency. The Renault Filante Record […]

Eranovum to install 1,000 fast chargers in Belgium

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. […]

BMW gives its iX a (mostly technical) facelift

January 29, 2025

BMW, the Munich-based carmaker, has revealed the facelifted version of its iX flagship, focusing primarily on technical upgrades and making only minor adjustments to the design. The iX was revealed in 2020 as one of the first electric BMWs of the (then) new generation. The new SUV model wasn’t just fully electric; it featured a […]

Cadillac unveils performance variant Lyriq-V

January 28, 2025

Cadillac is launching the Lyriq-V, a sporty version of its Lyriq electric model. The 459 kW all-wheel drive variant will launch primarily in Anglo-Saxon markets such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is not known yet which other markets could follow. The Lyriq-V is the first all-electric vehicle in Cadillac’s Performance Series, […]

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse’s mandate will end in 2026

January 24, 2025

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse will not extend his contract beyond the summer of next year when it expires. The German Manager Magazin reported that he will stop mid-next year, citing a source familiar with the matter. “There will be no further contract extension,” the source is quoted. Zipse, who will be 62 by then […]

Austrians to make sustainable aviation fuel from frying oil at Antwerp Port

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 […]

What now, Stellantis?

January 24, 2025

At the Brussels Motor Show, we spoke with a couple of top managers at Stellantis. The group caused a small earthquake at the end of last year when CEO Tavares was suddenly ousted. It was the last devastating event in a very incidental 2024, resulting in fewer sales, loss of market share, and dwindling profits. […]

Citroën could bring back the 2CV

January 23, 2025

Citroën allegedly wants to give the classic 2CV model a second life. Initial design work for a new electric edition of the 2CV is probably already underway, but the project is still at an early stage. Read: It has not yet been fully decided. Citroën also seems to be reacting to its competitor Renault, who […]

Renault to launch two EVs in India

January 22, 2025

Renault could introduce two electric cars in India in the next two years. After evaluating an EV akin to Dacia’s Spring for several years, the company is considering larger models. According to a report from the Indian website Autocar Professional, Renault will resume launching new cars in India in 2026 after a five-year hiatus. In […]

Brussels Airport will sell green electricity to 100 neighboring families

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 […]

Hödlmayr starts using first electric car transport truck for Magna in Austria

January 21, 2025

Austrian transport company Hödlmayer has put its first electric truck for car transport into operation, transporting vehicles for Magna Steyr in Graz. This Mercedes eActros 300 is also Austria’s first electric car transporter, a type of transport where electrification is still rare. On January 9, 202, Hödlmayer first started using its Mercedes eActros 300 with […]

Fastned goes for luxury toilets at its fast chargers in Belgium and The Netherlands

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 […]

U.S. car policy: Trump comes in with a blast

January 21, 2025

Upon returning to office Monday, President Donald Trump wasted no time moving against one of his most frequent targets on the campaign trail: electric vehicles and the Biden administration policies that contributed to their rise. On the first day, he had already signed many executive orders to reverse course from his predecessor. The future will […]

D’Ieteren’s hyperchargers redefine speed and charging comfort

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 […]

Renault and Dacia increase sales in 2024, first electric Dacia in 2027

January 20, 2025

Both Renault and its low-cost daughter, Dacia, have increased their sales in 2024. The Renault Group sold 2,264 million cars worldwide (+1.3%), and two-thirds of these 1,59 million) were sold in Europe. Dacia sold 676,340 cars, 2.7% more than last year. Meanwhile, the brand has announced its first EV for 2027. Those growth percentages may […]

Polestar 3 freezes out Tesla in Norway’s brutal winter range test

January 17, 2025

The Polestar 3 surfaced victoriously in Norway’s latest El Prix winter range test. The Chinese-Swedish flagship SUV scored the second-best result in the test history. Despite Tesla’s reputation for range consistency, the Model 3 fell short of expectations. The world’s leading country for EV adoption isn’t the most benign region. Norway’s freezing winter temperatures and […]