August 09, 2023
Charging at half the price? German energy pioneer E.ON is making it possible for Danish EV drivers, as it has unlocked flexible rates at its charging stations in the capital of Copenhagen. The company has been testing dynamic pricing since the beginning of the year and offers it publicly for the first time. With dynamic […]
August 09, 2023
The German premium manufacturer BMW has presented a particular version of its 5 Series Sedan and the all-electric i5 for the Chinese market. The China offshoots get a longer wheelbase, more space in the rear, and specific design and equipment features. The 5 Series Sedan and the i5 for the Chinese market are produced at […]
August 08, 2023
Octopus Electric Vehicles, part of Octopus Energy Group, has launched a second-hand leasing offering for electric cars. “We’re making the switch to electric driving the cheapest it has ever been,” says the press release. Octopus’ ‘Nearly New’ salary sacrifice offer makes EVs more accessible to the mass market by reducing costs. Drivers can access popular […]
August 08, 2023
Arval, one of the more prominent multi-brand leasing companies in Belgium, has published data about the most ordered company cars for the first half of this year. According to the Arval Mobility Observatory, the five most ordered company cars are electrified. In Belgium, Arval manages some 100 000 lease contracts for individuals, independents, and companies. […]
August 07, 2023
Car manufacturing group Stellantis has announced that it plans to launch a second EV next year, costing less than € 25 000 in the standard version. The first to be announced was the Citroën ëC3, which should arrive on the market in the Spring of next year. The second lower-priced EV from Stellantis will be […]
August 07, 2023
At an event in Huntington Beach, California, Fisker presented its future electric cars that will be on the market by 2026. The models include the Pear compact SUV, the Ronin five-seater sports car, and a pickup named Alaska. Also present a special off-road version of the Ocean, the Force E. “Fisker isn’t standing still,” said […]
August 04, 2023
The Flemish VAB Mobility Club is also one of Belgium’s largest road assistance providers. While it integrates BEVs in its rolling infrastructure, the road assistants see themselves confronted with more breakdowns on BEVs than the average with vehicles with internal combustion engines. The reasons, however, are not what people would normally expect with electric vehicles, […]
August 03, 2023
The German car manufacturer BMW Group sees in the evolution of the car market a confirmation of its credo: an open technology with ample room for BEVs but also attention to other solutions, even (at least for a certain period) internal combustion engines. Frank Weber, BMW’s Head of R&D, said in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: […]
August 03, 2023
Federal energy regulator CREG rejects a proposed increase in return on equity sought by Belgian high-voltage grid operator Elia. On the sidelines of its half-year results, the grid operator had insisted on this last week. Elia says a higher return on capital is needed to finance its future infrastructure investments. According to the newspaper La […]
August 03, 2023
Airbus, BMW Group, and Quantinuum, leaders in mobility and quantum technologies, have developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow to speed up future research using Quantum Computers to simulate quantum systems, focusing on the chemical reactions of catalysts in fuel cells. In a new technical paper, ‘Applicability of Quantum Computing to Oxygen Reduction Reaction Simulations‘, the three […]
August 02, 2023
Tel Aviv University scientists have succeeded in developing a groundbreaking method to produce green hydrogen. The method, developed by doctoral student Itzhak Grinberg and by Dr. Oren Ben-Zvi, claims to have over 90% efficiency by harnessing the power of green electricity and utilizing a highly efficient biocatalyst. The research is founded upon the rare instances […]
August 02, 2023
The Korean brand, formally known as Ssangyong, KG Mobility, has lifted the veil on its latest electric SUV, the Torres EVX. This new version comes with specific design details, an interior, and a powertrain. Following the Korando e-Motion, this new Torres EVX sits higher in the range, with ample interior space, V2L function, and up […]
August 01, 2023
Mazda is discontinuing sales of its only all-electric model in the US. The Mazda MX-30 will not receive a new model year. Instead, the Japanese company is going all-in on hybrids for electrification in North America. The automaker in a short statement: “Mazda will discontinue MX-30 EV for the US market following the 2023 model […]
August 01, 2023
The spirit of Saab might prevail, finally. An unknown investor has probably purchased the NEVS Emily GT project; hope is glimmering for the ill-fabled manufacturer. There is now a slight chance that a purely electric Saab sedan will occupy the streets again. The mismanagement of owner General Motors and the horrendous fumbling of potential overtakers […]
July 31, 2023
After announcing the electric car cooperation between VW and Audi with the Chinese manufacturers Xpeng and SAIC, Group CEO Oliver Blume gave more details. He spoke about the opportunities for the VW brand with the Xpeng cooperation and what Audi plans to do with the SAIC technology. VW’s own PPE and SPP platforms are not […]
July 28, 2023
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for coal remains at record levels this year. At the same time, extreme weather conditions prove the earth is warming up faster than ever due to C02 emissions. “Climate change is here, it’s terrifying, and this is just the beginning,” said United Nations top man António Guterres […]
July 28, 2023
China exported 2,34 million vehicles in the first half of the year, up 73% from last year, according to data released Thursday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the first half of the year amounted to 800 000 units, up 105% year-on-year, accounting for 34% of all […]
July 27, 2023
Elia, the operator of Belgium’s high-voltage grid, wants to introduce higher grid tariffs to finance its 15,9 billion euros planned investments, increasing electricity bills for households and businesses. According to Elia, this tariff increase is essential for the vast infrastructure investments the company faces to tackle the energy transition, which is proceeding much faster than […]
July 27, 2023
Renault will cease production of its Zoe electric car on 30 March 2024. It was already clear that there would be no new Zoe generation, but now the date has been set for the end of production at the Flins plant. The electric Renault pioneer is making room for a new generation of Renault electric […]
July 27, 2023
The Belgian VUB University (Brussels) is developing a charging technology “to make electric driving more pleasant and efficient”. Researchers at EPOWERS, a research group that works at the VUB MOBI research center, have developed a technology that significantly extends the range of electric vehicles (up to 1 000 km) with a limited number of recharges. […]
July 27, 2023
Seven of the world’s leading carmakers have created an alliance to jointly invest in fast-charging infrastructure for electric cars in North America. BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis intend to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America by making EV charging more accessible, reliable, and convenient. Together, they aim to […]
July 27, 2023
The Volkswagen brand has concluded a technological framework agreement for long-term cooperation with the Chinese electric car start-up Xpeng. The Wolfsburg-based company is also taking a stake of about 5% in Xpeng, and the Audi deal with SAIC was also confirmed by the Group. With the new collaboration with Xpeng, Volkswagen wants to further advance […]
July 26, 2023
Stellantis posts strong growth again in the first half of 2023 and sets new records in net revenues, adjusted operational income (AOI), and net profit. Net revenues of €98,4 billion are up 12% compared to H1 2022, primarily due to higher shipments. The adjusted operating income of €14,1 billion is up 11% compared to H1 […]
July 26, 2023
In Etterbeek, near the Shuman traffic circle, the first all-electric fuel station on Brussels territory has opened. Shell’s public charging station has both fast chargers (DC) and regular chargers (AC). It is a break in trend for Brussels, as with the announced era of the electric car and the reduced support for fossil energy exploitation […]
July 26, 2023
Renault Group and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. today announced that they have entered into the definitive agreements contemplated by the binding framework agreement announced in February 2023. Jean-Dominique Senard, Chairman of The Alliance (Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault), commented: “The agreements that have been signed today allow us to step into the next chapter of the Alliance. […]
July 26, 2023
Mercedes-Benz is trying to improve its sluggish BEV sales, especially in China, but also in other markets. The answer of CEO Ola Kälenius and his management team is to heighten the investments. “Sales may be slow for the moment; changing strategy would be really dangerous,” he says in an interview with the German Handelsblatt. According […]
July 25, 2023
Alliance partner Mitsubishi is discontinuing its China business. The Japanese carmaker justifies withdrawing from the Chinese market by saying that the shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles in China has hit its existing range, and sales have fallen far short of expectations. Production at the Changsha plant in Hunan province was already halted in […]
July 25, 2023
Stellantis, the French-Italian-American automotive manufacturing corporation, and Samsung SDI, the Korean battery and electronic materials manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a second battery factory in the US. The plant should start production in 2027 with an initial annual production capacity of 34-gigawatt hours (GWh). Last year, in May 2022, both partners […]
July 25, 2023
The JLR Group (previously Jaguar Land Rover) has finally appointed Adrian Mardell as its new permanent CEO. Mardell had already held the post on an interim basis since the resignation of former CEO Thierry Bolloré at the end of 2022. A new chief financial officer has also been appointed. The brand Land Rover is dissolved. […]
July 25, 2023
For weeks already, there have been rumors that VW’s daughter Audi is considering buying an electric car platform from a competitor in China. This comes as the VW Group’s SSP platform accumulates delays, and Audi can’t (and does not want to) wait longer. The company Audi is talking to is the Chinese SAIC Motor Corp. […]
July 24, 2023
The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimatschutz, or BMWK in German) will increase the budget for the environmental bonus this year. It had initially earmarked €2,1 billion for this purpose in 2023. That will now be increased to at least €2,5 billion. The information comes from a report […]
July 20, 2023
The Belgian Seavolt project, announced earlier this year, is taking concrete shape. The consortium will soon launch its first floating solar panels in Ostend. If the initiators succeed in making solar energy profitable at sea, they hope to turn it into a new Belgian export product. In March, the Belgian marine engineering companies DEME and […]
July 20, 2023
Volvo Cars reported a 39% increase in operating profits, excluding joint ventures and associates, and a corresponding EBIT margin of 6,3% for the second quarter of 2023. Regarding its operational performance during the second quarter, Volvo Cars recorded an increase of 43% versus the same period in 2022. It also saw a solid global sales […]
July 20, 2023
The Tata Group will build its first battery cell factory outside India in the UK. The British government has now officially confirmed what had already become apparent. At the beginning of February, it became known that Tata Motors was looking for a location for its European battery cell factory in Spain or the UK. However, […]
July 19, 2023
The Renault Group is recovering swiftly from the difficult years behind and the problems encountered. Its worldwide sales amounted to 1 133 667 vehicles in the first half of 2023, up 13% versus H1 of 2022. In Europe, Group sales were up 24% in a market up almost 18%. The Group’s sales policy, focused on […]
July 19, 2023
Ford is slashing the price of its F-150 Lightning in the US. Depending on the variant, the electric pickup now costs up to 10 000 dollars less. The new base price for the F-150 Lightning is $49 995. According to the manufacturer, it is “taking advantage of increased plant capacity, continued work on scaling production […]
July 18, 2023
Cutting battery sizes, improving chemistries, and reducing private car journeys can cut the expected consumption of critical materials in BEVs by 36-49% by 2050, says the NGO Transport & Environment based on a new analysis of a study ordered and conducted by the green group. Demand for battery raw materials in Europe will increase rapidly […]
July 17, 2023
Volkswagen Group increases its BEV deliveries by 48% in the year’s first half. Also, it ups its total sales worldwide to 4,37 million (+13%) but stays prudent on forecasts because of the slower results in China and diminishing orders for BEVs in the future. Meanwhile, there’s an actual ‘musical chair’ going on at the top […]
July 17, 2023
Hyundai has unveiled the high-performance version of its Ioniq 5 electric model at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The launch of the new electric Ioniq 5 N is expected in the second quarter of 2024. The basic concept of the Ioniq 5 N and the Kia EV6 GT is the same: both E-GMP models rely […]
July 17, 2023
Mazda Motor Corp. will launch its first electric-vehicle-only model in 2027, the new CEO Masahiro Moro said in a recent interview in Tokyo, to speed up its electrification efforts and catch up with global rivals. Mazda already has a BEV; in 2021, it started selling an electric model of the compact MX-30 sports utility vehicle, […]
July 14, 2023
Porsche marks the 30th anniversary of the famed Goodwood Festival of Speed with the Porsche Vision 357 Speedster. The new concept car is the sister model to the closed Porsche Vision 357, with which the sports car manufacturer launched its own anniversary-year celebrations recently. In design terms, an homage to the 356, technologically, the all-electric […]
July 13, 2023
The all-new Renault Scénic E-Tech Electric will make its world premiere during the IAA Mobility 2023 event in Munich on September 4. The car starts to reveal its final silhouette as a fleet of pre-production cars will be driven on open roads this summer by Renault engineers. Made in the Douai ElectriCity factory, the pre-production […]
July 13, 2023
The British sports car manufacturer Caterham has presented Project V, a lightweight, fully electric coupé concept car. The aim is for a market launch of the series version in late 2025 or early 2026 at prices under £80 000 (€93 000). Unlike the electric version of the Caterham Seven, which the company presented as a […]
July 12, 2023
‘Dacia goes extreme’ is the new slogan of Renault’s daughter Dacia. ‘Extreme’ is, in fact, the new top-of-line version for all Dacias, but the Spring gets a second, more powerful variant with it. We drove it on Belgian roads. Until now, the Dacia Spring, the cheapest EV on the Belgian market, had a 188 kg […]
July 12, 2023
The European Parliament took a final decision on Tuesday: from 2026, the main European highways must be equipped with fast-charging stations for electric vehicles every 60 kilometers. From 2028, this should apply to half of the European road network. Those charging stations must have a capacity of at least 400 kW and be able to […]
July 12, 2023
Renault recently gave a glimpse into readying the production version of its next-generation EV model. The Renault 5 is on a prototype production run in a ‘secret and high-tech miniature plant’. As a part of the brand’s Technocenter engineering complex near Paris, the location itself is not so secret. Created 25 years ago, the Global […]
July 12, 2023
Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars more than doubled its sales of battery-electric cars in the second quarter to 56 300 units (+123%). This growth was mainly due to demand in three model series. The van division also posted gains in Q2, but not as strong as the passenger car business. With these 56 300 fully electric vehicles […]
July 11, 2023
To mark the 150th anniversary at the Audi site in Neckarsulm, twelve brand apprentices have electrified the iconic, classic EP4. The ‘E’ in the name of this futuristic one-off stands for the electric drive, and ‘P4’ refers to the NSU Prinz 4, a model that the former NSU Motorenwerke brand built in Neckarsulm from 1961 […]
July 11, 2023
At the beginning of the summer, Fastned, the Dutch fast-charging infrastructure provider, installed its 1 500th charging station northwest of Paris in Rouen. Since last summer, Fastned has opened more than 60 stations in Europe – usually locations with a lot of traffic. The most recent fast-charging station is located along the A13 at the […]
July 11, 2023
Following the framework agreement announced in November 2022, Geely Holding Group and Renault Group have signed today a binding 50/50 joint venture agreement to launch a new powertrain technology company. It aims to become the global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying best-in-class hybrid powertrains and highly efficient ICE powertrains. Aramco, which signed a letter […]
July 10, 2023
Flanders has more than 25 000 charging stations for electric vehicles and is, therefore, on track to achieve the objectives of the ‘Clean Power for Transport’ agreement: to have 35 000 public and semi-public charging points along the highways and important traffic axes by 2025 The Flemish government wants to increase the number of charging […]
July 10, 2023
VW plans to put self-driving cars on the streets of Austin, the capital of Texas, later this month. It is the first time that the company is tackling such a project in the USA. A total of ten units of the VW ID. Buzz with autonomous driving technology will be deployed. Tests in Germany are […]
July 10, 2023
In the battle for the top spot in the German electric car market, Tesla was ahead again in the first half of the year, but its lead over the Volkswagen (VW) brand is shrinking. Analysts see a price war coming up in Europe on the EV market, also as a result of the Chinese price […]
July 10, 2023
The BMW Group delivered 88 289 fully electric vehicles of the BMW and Mini brands to customers in the second quarter. This means the company again succeeded in more than doubling BEV sales compared to last year’s period (+117,5%). Plug-in hybrid registrations, on the other hand, are falling behind at the moment. According to the […]
July 10, 2023
Mercedes-Benz just became the first German carmaker to join the NACS or North American Charging System initiated by Tesla in the U.S. The company will integrate it into its EV fleet in the US and Canada in 2025. At the same time, Mercedes is sticking to its plans for its own HPC network. Mercedes-Benz follows […]
July 07, 2023
French railway company SNCF plans to earmark 1 000 hectares of solar panels by 2030 to cover 15 to 20% of its own electricity needs. The plans would make the railway company one of France’s largest green power producers. The SNCF is making this switch to secure supplies and control costs (between 2022 and 2023, […]
July 07, 2023
In November, Mercedes-Benz will bring the CLE on the market, a Coupe that uses the technology of both the C- and (recently updated) E-Class. Later (in 2024), there will also be a cabriolet version and a PHEV variant. Although coupes and cabriolets seem to be an extinguishing species in car land, premium manufacturers like Mercedes […]
July 07, 2023
Belgium’s ambition to lead in developing a hydrogen grid was proved once again last Thursday: the plenary of the House of Representatives approved the first hydrogen law to regulate the transport of green hydrogen via pipelines. It may be the first such law worldwide, according to the cabinet of Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten […]
July 05, 2023
The Swedish/Chinese car manufacturer Volvo Cars switches to renewable fuels for ocean freight. The company claims that this will cut fossil CO2 emissions by 84%. “Every year, tens of thousands of containers of production material destined for Volvo Cars factories are carried across the world’s oceans on container ships. From now on, most seafaring journeys […]
July 04, 2023
Energy consumption in Belgium dropped last year to its lowest level since 1995. This is according to the most recent Federal Government Agency Economy data. In the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, high energy prices meant that Belgians consumed less energy than in the corona year 2020. The share of renewable energy in […]
