June 21, 2023
French energy provider, Engie, launches Vianeo. Under this new brand dedicated to electric mobility, the company aims to develop 12 000 electric charge points across France by 2025. In addition to that, the company confirms that “about one hundred” fast chargers will be built in Belgium too. Engie isn’t one to miss the transition to […]
June 21, 2023
On Tuesday, June 20th, global materials technology and recycling group Umicore inaugurated one of the world’s most advanced solid-state battery material prototyping facilities in Olen (Belgium). Solid-state batteries are expected to propel electric mobility and complement Umicore’s world-leading portfolio of battery materials technologies. The new 600 m² facilities with state-of-the-art installations and equipment support the […]
June 21, 2023
Renault has unveiled the senior management team for its EV and software subsidiary Ampere. Luca de Meo, currently CEO of the Renault Group, will personally take charge of the new management team, and two managers will join him to handle day-to-day operations. Josep Maria Recasens and Vincent Piquet will be appointed Chief Operating Officer and […]
June 20, 2023
Porsche looks likely to produce high-performance battery cells on a much larger scale than previously planned. The German carmaker will no longer do so with its partner Customcells but on its own. The Cellforce Group, the battery joint venture between Porsche and Customcells, is said to have been completely overtaken by Porsche in May. 20 […]
June 20, 2023
The Netherlands has passed the milestone of 500 000 charging stations. The vast majority (384 200) are private points at home. The country is one of the forerunners in Europe regarding charging infrastructure. For comparison, Belgium has an estimated 150 000 charging points. At the end of March, there were more than 30 000 public […]
June 20, 2023
Dacia allegedly wants to offer the next generation of its most popular small car as an electric model from 2027 or 2028. It could even become a BEV-only model, some British media report. The new-generation Sandero is expected to be based on the CMF-BEV platform, which will also be used by the full-electric Renault 5, […]
June 20, 2023
Citroën will be the first to launch a small, affordable EV costing less than €25 000. The ë-C3 will be available in Spring 2024, earlier than already announced competitors like the VW ID.2 and the Renault 5 Electric. The affordability of an EV in the lower segments is a big concern for car manufacturers. Until […]
June 19, 2023
The fight of Dutch fast-charger company Fastned and Tesla with its Superchargers against the charging station monopoly for Tank & Rast, owning 95% of all fuel stations along German highways, is moving to a higher level; the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Both companies were challenging the decision of the German Federal Anti-Cartel Office, which […]
June 15, 2023
Chinese battery giant CATL has launched in its homeland ‘Qiji Energy ‘, a battery swap solution for heavy-duty trucks. These can be equipped with up to three ‘battery blocks’ with a capacity of 171 kWh each, up to 513 kWh. The blocks offered come with specific swapping stations and a cloud platform to make battery […]
June 15, 2023
The Belgian chemical company Solvay will use its salt caverns in Germany to store energy. In the caverns, compressed air or hydrogen will be stored to be used later again as an energy provider. Solvay has signed an Option Agreement to provide four salt caverns to the Irish company Corre Energy, which will develop a […]
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 15, 2023
Rolls-Royce is considering using hydrogen fuel cell technology over conventional batteries for its future electric cars once this technology is mature enough to be commercialized at scale for the high standards Rolls-Royce is claiming. The new Rolls-Royce Spectre made its European debut at the Concours d’Elegance event at Villa d’Este (Como Lake, Italy) last week. […]
June 15, 2023
Belgian start-up SOLiTHOR, a spin-off from research company Imec, which is developing its own promising solid-state battery technology, is expanding its scientific staff to move toward the final commercialization, aiming at vehicles and aviation, defense, and maritime applications. Among them, Belgian Dr. Matthieu Moors, returning from Tesla Giga Berlin, where he was Senior Staff Engineer […]
June 14, 2023
Created only two years ago, Software République is staging the world premiere of a collaborative concept at the Viva Technology 2023 exhibition. H1st vision ( for ‘Human First vision’) incorporates functional and innovative technologies that illustrate its human-centered visions of future mobility. Software République is an open innovation ecosystem created by six large companies (Atos, […]
June 14, 2023
The all-electric Renault 5 will be the first Renault vehicle equipped with a bidirectional charger. The associated V2G service will be available from the launch of the Renault 5 in France and Germany in 2024 and in the UK in 2025. Renault is coordinating the introduction of bidirectional charging through its mobility brand Mobilize. In […]
June 13, 2023
Japanese carmaker Toyota finally seems to embrace the all-electric car and aims at several improved BEV batteries shortly, with an all-solid-state battery announced as soon as 2027. That one should allow a 1 200 km range, later up to 1 500 km, and fast charging from 10-80% in 10 minutes or less. Toyota sold only […]
June 12, 2023
The Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB aims to reduce its emissions by 40% by 2030. To provide an increasingly environmentally friendly service to passengers, it is focusing on converting to an electric fleet. But also by striving to follow a set of principles grouped under the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Today, all MIVB/STIB […]
June 12, 2023
From 2025, General Motors will rely on Tesla’s charging port in the USA and Canada – exclusively. GM wants to provide adapters so that all cars equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) can also charge at CCS stations. This makes GM the second major US carmaker to commit to Tesla’s charging standard: Ford […]
June 12, 2023
The world’s number one car manufacturer, Toyota, is investing almost $50 million in a new battery laboratory in the US. This will be built at the research and development headquarters in York Township and will go into operation in 2025. The investment illustrates Toyota’s “change of direction toward electrification”, says Shinichi Yasui, Vice President at […]
June 08, 2023
Eneco, a Dutch energy supplier with its Belgian headquarter in Mechelen, will invest 90 million euros into a 50-megawatt battery power park in the Walloon town of Ville-sur-Haine. The battery park, which will be connected to the high-voltage grid as a backup, should be operational by the end of next year. The park, in the […]
June 08, 2023
Volvo just launched its first entry-level electric car, and the Swedish (but now Chinese-owned) car maker surprises with a price setting a benchmark for customers and competitors. In Belgium, prices for this fully electric EV start from € 38 990. In other markets, the starting price can be as low as € 36 590. In […]
June 07, 2023
Belgium-based gas transmission system operator Fluxys is working on the installation of 44 kilometers of new pipelines between Desteldonk and Opwijk. The new pipelines will transport gas and, in the future, green hydrogen. The first part of the so-called ‘hydrogen highway of the future’ has to be ready by the end of this year. The […]
June 06, 2023
Last Friday, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) began accepting seat reservations for its groundbreaking commercial electric flights in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark… in 2028. After that, there are no seats available anymore. “This extraordinary event presents an opportunity for travelers to become part of aviation history. Each of the three inaugural flights, scheduled to take place in […]
June 06, 2023
The transition to a carbon-neutral economy could create tens of thousands of jobs in Belgium, especially in the construction sector, despite its staff shortage. That is one of the conclusions of the recent report ‘Implications of the Climate Transition on Employment, Skills, and Training in Belgium’, published by the Federal Public Service for Health, Food […]
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
Automotive supplier Bosch is taking over the production of the S3 fuel cell stack for the Swedish fuel cell specialist PowerCell. Under the new agreement, Bosch will integrate the S3 into its own production facilities in Germany and deliver finished 100 kW stacks to PowerCell’s plant in Gothenburg. According to PowerCell, the outsourcing of production […]
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 […]
June 01, 2023
A new report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) assesses how effectively the world’s 20 largest automakers are transitioning to electric vehicles. At the top of the ranking is Tesla, followed by Chinese manufacturer BYD, which is catching up fast. The manufacturer assessment on the electric drive system turnaround is the first of […]
June 01, 2023
Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall Motor is looking into acquiring a European EV plant in order to support its international expansion. Building a new plant in Germany, Hungary or the Czech Republic would be an option, but the company is also looking to buy an existing plant. Great Wall Motor, known in Europe for the […]
June 01, 2023
Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a joint venture by Stellantis, Total, and Mercedes-Benz, inaugurated its first factory in France. However, the “Grand Opening” is not synonymous with commissioning, which will occur later this year. ACC says the facility in Billy-Berclau/Douvrin in the Hauts-de-France region has a production area of more than 60 000 square meters. The […]
May 31, 2023
The Italian car manufacturer Fiat, part of the Stellantis Group, has unveiled the name and first image of its new ‘sustainable urban mobility solution’: the quadricycle is called Topolino. “The all-electric Fiat Topolino quadricycle is ready to contribute to expanding urban electric mobility and bring all the optimism of its namesake to an accessible, all-electric […]
May 31, 2023
Around noon on Whit Monday, a record amount of electricity was generated by wind and sun, enough to cover just about all of Belgium’s electricity consumption for a while. This is according to preliminary figures from high-voltage manager Elia. This is the first time that solar and wind have been enough to cover just about […]
May 31, 2023
Israeli start-up specializing in wireless charging, Electreon, has set up a new world record. It drove a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 on electricity for 1.943 km over four days without stopping for a charge, thanks to its proprietary in-road charging strips. Between 21 and 25 May, Israeli start-up Electreon conducted a world-first proof-of-concept test for […]
May 31, 2023
More than 40 recycled BMW i3 batteries with a combined capacity of 1 680 kWh are currently powering the world tour of the British rock band Coldplay. Replacing diesel generators, the batteries provide power for sound and video systems, lighting, and special effects during concerts. Last week, four corresponding concerts already took place in Barcelona. […]
May 30, 2023
Fastned has opened its newest fast charging station – with eight charging points – in Vielsalm. These are the very first chargers from Fastned in the Walloon Region. For Fastned, the newest station in Vielsalm is their 21st in Belgium. Like the other Fastned stations, it is recognizable by the typical yellow roof covered with […]
May 25, 2023
According to sector federation Traxio, 198 095 sporty bikes were delivered in 2022, 28,5% of the total bikes delivered for 2022. That’s a rise of 23 623 units compared to 2021. There was also a sharp rise in electric bikes in some subsegments of these sporty bikes, while the so-called ‘last-mile’ segments are also growing […]
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 23, 2023
The Volkswagen Group is planning a billion-euro savings program for its core brand VW to bolster profitability and generate money for investments in the energy transition. The group will present its overhaul plans to investors at a conference on 21 June. According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the program could increase annual results by at […]
May 22, 2023
Last week, Fisker Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker declared he is exploring collaboration with other companies to scale up market share faster, speaking at the Reuters Automotive Conference in Munich. During interviews at the conference, senior executives of other EV makers, Polestar and Smart, said they are open to partnerships to address supply chain and technology […]
May 22, 2023
British car plants will close with the loss of thousands of jobs unless the Brexit deal is swiftly renegotiated, Stellantis warned. Ford also added its voice to the latest warning from the auto industry since Britain left the European Union. Stellantis told lawmakers that under the current deal, it would face increased tariffs when exporting […]
May 22, 2023
Volvo Trucks has signed a letter of intent to sell 1 000 electric trucks between now and 2030 to Holcim, one of the world’s largest building solution providers. The deal is the largest commercial order to date for the company’s electric rate. The first 130 electric Volvo FH and FM trucks will be delivered to […]
May 22, 2023
Subaru plans to sell 200 000 battery-electric cars per year by 2026 and to create production capacity for 400 000 BEVs annually by 2028. The increase in production is to be supported by an EV-only factory in the company’s home country. Atsushi Osaki, who will replace the current CEO Tomomi Nakamura at Subaru in June, […]
May 19, 2023
Croatian brand Rimac has set an impressive 23 speed and performance world records in one day with its electric hypercar Nevera. The 1 914-hp machine now holds the infamous 0-400-0 kph speed and braking record, which it did in only 29,93 seconds. When the Croatian brand Rimac created the Nevera, it set out to build […]
May 19, 2023
As already mentioned earlier, BMW will launch its dedicated electric ‘new class’ of cars in 2025, with initial production in Europe and also in the United States. Today, the Munich car manufacturer announced that the ‘Neue Klasse’ will also be built in China. Meanwhile, the Group showed off on another level in Cannes (where the […]
May 19, 2023
In April 2023, the EU car market saw a significant increase in passenger car registrations, with 803 188 units sold, marking a 17,2% growth from the previous year. All the EU’s major markets grew solidly last month, with Italy (+29,2%) and France (+21,9%) leading the way. From January to April 2023, the EU car market […]
May 17, 2023
The number one American car manufacturer General Motors is gearing up for its return to Europe with an EV line-up. The Cadillac Lyriq could be among the first to hit the road here, as the carmaker is preparing to kick off EV sales in Europe this autumn, but only in some countries. GM European President […]
May 17, 2023
A few weeks after the compact electric delivery van E-Transit Courier, Ford also presented its passenger car version, E-Tourneo Courier. The battery-electric five-seater with a length of just under 4,40 meters and an “SUV-inspired design” is intended to score with a generous amount of space for passengers and luggage. With an output of 100 kW, […]
May 16, 2023
There will be 66 200 solar panels on the grounds around Ostend airport. Energy company EnergyVision will start installing them there in autumn. Ostend-Bruges airport will so become one of the largest solar parks in Belgium. The project involves an investment of 35 million euros. The electricity generated should power the airport, while part also […]
May 16, 2023
The EU Commission has approved an 837 million euros program by the Spanish government to support the production of batteries for EVs. This reports the news site elective.com. The program is open to battery manufacturers and suppliers of essential components or related materials. The Spanish government plans to launch two new electric vehicle and battery […]
May 16, 2023
The French petroleum giant, TotalEneries, is planning to build a large battery park next to its Antwerp refinery. On Monday, the company announced its plans for constructing a 25 MW battery farm at its Antwerp oil refinery. With a storage capacity of 75 MWh, the battery can store enough energy to provide 10 000 families […]
May 16, 2023
French car manufacturer Renault is working on a €20 000 EV to make electric car ownership more mainstream and affordable in Europe. The carmaker is thus taking up the challenge with the Volkswagen Group (and probably a bunch of Chinese manufacturers to come) to serve the lowest segments of the car industry. The proposed EV, […]
May 16, 2023
At the fifth Motor Valley Fest, an open-air event in Modena during last weekend, Maserati reinforced its push toward electric drive. The House of the Trident announced special Zéda editions of its Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte to mark the end of production of its V8 engine, set for late 2023. After having already announced and […]
May 15, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Dunkerque last week to illustrate his fight for re-industrializing the north of France. The Taiwanese group ProLogium just announced the northern French port as its choice to build a new battery factory. Total investment is estimated at €5,2 billion, of which between 1 and 1,5 billion would come in different […]
May 15, 2023
“Northvolt has decided to proceed with the next steps concerning its expansion in Heide (northern Germany),” said CEO Peter Carlsson in a joint press release with the German government. Nevertheless, the Swedish battery manufacturer continues considering building an extra gigafactory in North America. In October last year, former Tesla manager Carlsson made all alarm bells […]
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
French President, Emmanuel Macron, could announce a reform of the government’s EV bonus plan. The suggestion could be based on the vehicle’s carbon footprint, thus excluding cars produced in heavy-polluting countries such as China. However, it’s easier said than done. For a few months now, France has considered a way to exclude vehicles built far […]
May 12, 2023
Silence, a manufacturer of microcars and scooters, has opened its first ‘Urban Store’ in Belgium. The exact location is ‘Gare Maritime’ in Brussels, one of the city’s increasingly popular and biggest shopping hubs. As a manufacturer of electric vehicles, Silence is a daughter of Acciona, worldwide active in offering regenerative solutions for a CO2-neutral economy. […]
May 12, 2023
The beginning of May is always an important moment for Japanese companies. Their fiscal year ends in March, so the results are publicized now. Yesterday, we already talked about number one Toyota’s performance; today, we look at some others, in casu Nissan, Honda, and Mazda. The mood tends to be rather optimistic, the Japanese putting […]
May 11, 2023
The Swiss charging infrastructure specialist ABB is testing its upcoming Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for fast-charging heavy electric vehicles. A pilot charger has successfully been used on a next-gen electric truck from Scania, bringing MCS chargers closer to reality. Where CCS (Combined Charging System) has been the standard for AC and DC charging of electric […]
May 11, 2023
After a large consulting round, the Walloon government has approved an upgraded and comprehensively altered version of the Walloon car taxation scheme. The most important change is that the scheme only applies to the registration tax, not the yearly road tax. The new system will be introduced in July 2025. “This tax reform aims to […]
