US takes 3-meter high charging pole idea from European playbook

September 26, 2025

A new type of electric vehicle charger is appearing on the streets of New York, as the metropolis draws inspiration from Europe to enhance its infrastructure. Unlike most of its chargers, these can’t be found at eye level. Instead, the “Voltpost Air” dangles more than three metres above the ground. It’s an unconventional attempt to […]

An electric Renault to keep a mobile mast alive for emergency calls?

September 26, 2025

Today, we all rely heavily on our mobile phones in an emergency. It’s the first thing you reach for to call for help. But what if, in a total blackout, all the cell towers go down as well? Then even a small EV like the Renault R5 E-Tech Electric can be a guardian angel. Austrian […]

TotalEnergies and RWE to build France’s largest offshore wind farm

September 25, 2025

The French government has designated the French company TotalEnergies and the German RWE to build a large wind farm off the Normandy coast – the largest renewable energy project ever in France. RWE and TotalEnergies had been prequalified and are collaborating on the project’s design, development, and execution. TotalEnergies will act as operator.  The project, […]

French EDF examins takeover Belgian Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear plants

September 24, 2025

EDF, Europe’s largest electricity company, is negotiating with Engie and the Belgian government about a potential takeover of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, aimed at keeping both plants operational longer, specifically until 2045. This is according to La Lettre, a French online newspaper that mainly reports on politics, business, and the media […]

Plan Bureau: ‘In optimal scenario, Belgium needs 8 new nuclear power plants’

September 22, 2025

According to a new study by the Federal Planning Bureau, Belgium should build 8 new nuclear power plants by 2050 to make its electricity supply climate-neutral. In the most cost-optimal scenario, both offshore wind and nuclear energy will be fully expanded. Offshore wind capacity will then grow from 2.2 to 8 gigawatts, and new nuclear power […]

Droneport to generate its own energy to fly electrically

September 22, 2025

Droneport in Sint-Truiden, a 30-hectare industry park specifically for aviation, drone, advanced air mobility, and unmanned flight testing, wants to build its own solar park on the nearby site and company buildings. The business park aims to generate its own energy to fly electrically. An agreement in principle has been reached to launch the solar […]

Engie opens door to extending Doel 4 and Tihange 3 to 20 years

September 18, 2025

French energy giant Engie may be willing to extend the lifespan of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors by 20 years instead of the planned 10 years. According to the unions, CEO Cédric Osterrieth said this at a works council meeting this week. Furthermore, according to the newspaper Le Soir, Energy Minister Mathieu […]

Fastned’s Belgian flagship charging plaza Gentbrugge opens

September 17, 2025

Dutch fast-charging network Fastned has just opened its 47th charging station in Belgium. Fastned Gentbrugge, along the E17 highway between Ghent and Antwerp, is the largest to date and a ‘flagship’ location. It showcases the company’s aim to deliver a more seamless charging experience, featuring a coffee stop and sanitary facilities throughout its entire network […]

Changan shows Deepal S05 SUV at IAA Mobility

September 10, 2025

Following the Deepal S07, the Chinese car manufacturer Changan is now also introducing the smaller electric SUV Deepal S05 in Europe. The European Deepal S05, which was just unveiled at the IAA trade show in Munich, will start at a list price of €38,990 in Germany. The Deepal S07 was introduced in Europe in March […]

T&E: ‘Real-world CO2 emissions of PHEVs five times higher than official figures’

September 10, 2025

Transport & Environment’s analysis of the 2023 European Environment Agency (EEA) data – covering 806,000 PHEVs – reveals that real-world CO₂ emissions are nearly five times higher than official test figures. This gap is driven by overly optimistic Utility Factors (UFs)—the assumed share of electric driving for plug-in hybrids—in official computations. The gap is widening Since […]

Hyundai’s ‘Concept Three’ forebodes Ioniq 3

September 10, 2025

Hyundai unveiled the Concept Three at the IAA Mobility in Munich, a first glimpse of the upcoming  Ioniq 3. The technology behind this compact model is likely to be familiar to the already shown Kia EV4. Hyundai electric cars have long been a familiar sight on European roads. Yet, the Korean company still has a […]

T&E: Carmakers slow down EV sales efforts thanks to EU flexibility

September 09, 2025

According to the NGO Transport & Environment, European carmakers sold 38% more electric cars in the first seven months of the year, ensuring that all but Mercedes-Benz are on track to comply with the EU’s 2025-27 emission targets, new T&E research finds. However, the two-year extension of the targets allowed carmakers to take the foot […]

Volkswagen showcases solid-state breakthrough with Ducati prototype

September 09, 2025

Volkswagen has offered a glimpse of what could be the next big leap in battery technology, unveiling a Ducati motorcycle powered by solid-state cells at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The demonstration, featuring a modified MotoE racer, marked the first time QuantumScape’s lithium-metal batteries have been shown working in a real vehicle. The cells, […]

150 e-mobility companies ask EU not to give in on 2035 ICE ban

September 09, 2025

Some 150 leading companies from the e-mobility sector sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, asking the EU not to postpone the 2035 ban on combustion engines. The call to stick to the zero-emission target for cars and vans was prompted by a vote in the European Parliament, in which the […]

Up to €800 million in renewable energy projects on hold in Wallonia

September 08, 2025

The operation of EWATe, a government instrument set up to accelerate the energy transition in Wallonia, has been suspended. This is reported by the business newspaper L’Echo. As a result, several new projects, including battery parks and solar installations, representing investments of €600 to €800 million, have been put on hold for the time being. […]

Mercedes’ answer to BMW’s iX3: the new GLC EQ

September 08, 2025

Shortly before the IAA kicked off today, Mercedes unveiled the long-awaited GLC with EQ technology, calling it a “turning point in the midsize segment”. Two days before, arch-rival BMW did the same with a similar-sized, totally new electric newcomer, the iX3. The electric GLC is the first model on the new MB.EA-M platform and promises […]

BMW iX3 inaugurates ‘Neue Klasse’

September 05, 2025

With the slogan ‘the start of a new era’, BMW has just shown the first of an extensive range of models based on an entirely new platform, already known as the ‘Neue Klasse’. First in line is the iX3, the SUV variant (or SAV for ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ as BMW likes to call it), but […]

Porsche to demo 11 kW wireless home charging for upcoming Cayenne EV

September 05, 2025

Charging your car at home on an inductive charging pad like the one for your smartphone, but somewhat bigger. Porsche will be demoing an 11 kW inductive charging solution next week at the IAA motor show in Munich, to be used with the upcoming full-electric Cayenne in 2026. Porsche claims it will be the first […]

Court of Auditors slams Walloon government’s charging station policy

September 04, 2025

The policy pursued by the previous Walloon government for the rollout of a charging station infrastructure for EVs is inadequate. This is the conclusion of a damning report by the Belgian Court of Auditors. The plan also focuses too much on the number of charging points and, according to the Court of Auditors, lacks a […]

Study: underground CO2 storage capacity much smaller than thought

September 04, 2025

The capacity to store CO2 underground is much lower than initially thought. This is evident from a study published by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, which appeared in the journal Nature. Underground carbon capture has long been marketed as a climate solution, as a way out […]

VW’s ID.2all Concept will become ID.Polo

September 04, 2025

Just ahead of the IAA, VW unveiled its new naming strategy for electric cars. As expected, it will drop the combination of the ID. prefix and a number, as VW intends to return to the names of its “established bestsellers.” The first model to follow this approach will be the production version of the ID.2all […]

Ayvens and Plugsurfing sign MoU on better charging solutions

September 03, 2025

Mobility and leasing company Ayvens and the charging platform Plugsurfing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on an all-encompassing charging solution for international and local corporates and for small and midsize companies. Clients of both Ayvens and Plugsurfing now gain access to the biggest EV charging network in Europe, already offering more […]

China installs twice as much solar energy capacity as rest of world combined

September 02, 2025

According to a recent report from energy thin tank Ember, China has installed 256 gigawatts of additional solar capacity in the first half of this year – more than two-thirds of the global total and more than double the amount installed in the first half of 2024. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Chinese […]

BMW Group sells 3 millionth electrified vehicle

September 01, 2025

With the handover of a 3 Series plug-in hybrid model from the Munich plant to a customer, BMW has sold its three millionth vehicle with an electrified drive. This milestone for the company was achieved through a significant increase in sales of fully electric models and plug-in hybrid models in the first half of 2025. “With […]

VW’s Chinese subsidiary Jetta to develop EVs

September 01, 2025

The Jetta brand, VW’s brand for China and part of Volkswagen’s joint venture with FAW, wants to launch five new models by 2028, including four New Energy Vehicles. The first model is expected to launch in 2026, reportedly for a price equivalent to less than €12,000. In China, Jetta is no longer the Golf-format sedan […]

Porsche Cayenne EV is in the waiting room

August 29, 2025

Porsche plans to launch its second PPE-based electric SUV, following the Macan, in November. It will not present a production model of this Cayenne EV at the IAA in Munich, but further technical details of the electric Cayenne have now emerged, showing clear differences from the Macan. Porsche has been promoting the next-generation Cayenne for […]

Brunel Solar Team wins World Solar Challenge; Belgians finish third

August 29, 2025

On Thursday, the Innoptus Solar Team finished third in Adelaide at the World Solar Car Racing Championship. Due to the bad weather, the Belgians decided to start half an hour later to store more energy in their battery, but this dropped them from second to third place. They ultimately finished third in Adelaide, after a 3,021 km […]

Car industry asks EU (again) to revise C02 targets

August 27, 2025

In a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, European automotive manufacturers (ACEA) and suppliers (CLEPA) outlined their expectations for the upcoming Strategic Dialogue on the future of the European automotive industry, scheduled for 12 September. The associations ask for a new ‘transformation plan’ to save the European automotive […]

Work has begun on shore power for cruise ships in Zeebrugge

August 27, 2025

On Tuesday, work began to install a shore power installation at the cruise terminal on the Swedish Quay in Zeebrugge (Belgium). In the near future, cruise ships will be able to switch off their polluting diesel generators and fully utilize shore power. Shore power is an environmentally friendly and quiet way for ships to moor. It allows […]

Germany and Canada forge rare earth metals agreement, essential for EVs

August 27, 2025

Germany and Canada will collaborate more closely in the field of rare earth metals, such as cobalt, lithium, tungsten, and nickel. These raw materials are essential components for EV batteries, electric motors, and other applications. Both countries will finance projects in Canada for the extraction of these materials in the future. This was agreed by […]

Michigan University study proves once again: EVs are always cleaner

August 27, 2025

A first-of-its-kind cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study by the University of Michigan and Ford, spanning vehicle types, classes, regions, and usage patterns, shows once again that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are always the greener choice when comparing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. No matter where you live in the US. Across regions and methods worldwide, recent […]

Mazda presents its European charging app

August 27, 2025

‘Mazda Charging’ is designed to give European Mazda drivers easier access to public charging. It is developed in partnership with the Swiss company autoSense. Its launch coincides with that of the new Mazda6e, which has now arrived for delivery in Europe. The dedicated app is rolling out across Europe this month, and according to Mazda, […]

Opel drops target to sell only electric cars by 2028

August 26, 2025

German car manufacturer Opel, part of the Stellantis Group, has cancelled its plans to sell only electric vehicles in Europe from 2028. The Rüsselsheim-based German company said on Monday that it will continue to rely on its current “multi-energy” strategy, delivering vehicles powered by batteries, plug-in hybrids, or combustion engines, until customer demand changes. No […]

New Nissan Micra compact BEV starts at €29,250 (update)

August 25, 2025

After a break of almost four years, there’s a successor for the Nissan Micra. The small car will only be launched on the market with an electric drive and is set to be the start of a major product offensive by the Japanese manufacturer in Europe. The starting price in Belgium will be €29,250. The […]

Hyundai & Kia unite with South-Korean battery makers to counter China

August 25, 2025

Hyundai and sister brand Kia have forged an unprecedented alliance with South Korea’s three largest battery producers in a bid to strengthen electric vehicle safety and restore the nation’s competitive edge against China’s growing dominance. At Hyundai’s Namyang R&D Center, both automakers signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK […]

Will Nissan’s Renault Twingo twin be called Wave?

August 25, 2025

We already knew that Nissan would also have its version of Renault’s smallest EV, the Twingo, coming in 2026. After earlier rumors suggesting that Nissan might revive the Pixo badge, it now seems that the small electric city car will be called Wave. After redesigning the Alliance, Renault and Nissan are leveraging their agreement to […]

German Voltfang opens ‘EU’s largest second-life battery factory’

August 22, 2025

The German start-up Voltfang, which repurposes electric vehicle (EV) batteries for stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS), opened its first factory on Tuesday. Old electric car batteries – typically those still retaining at least 80% of their original capacity – will be given a new life as a renewable energy storage facility. Businesses and households […]

Is Porsche fading out Cellforce? (Update)

August 22, 2025

Porsche reportedly plans to shut down its battery unit, Cellforce, nearly. According to a media report from the German magazine Der Spiegel, all that will remain at the Cellforce site in Kirchentellinsfurt, Swabia, is “at best a small unit for research and development.” Porsche itself has declined to comment. Meanwhile, the sports car manufacturer seems […]

Is Ford going to sell batteries?

August 21, 2025

Ford is promising more affordable electric vehicles, but it’s still looking to make a profit with EVs. After kicking off production at its new EV battery plant in Kentucky, Ford seems to be looking for customers other than itself and selling batteries to whoever wants them. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Ford’s battery […]

100,000 EV charging points in Belgium

August 21, 2025

This summer, Belgium has 100,000 public charging points in the country, possibly providing energy for over 380,000 fully electric cars and 270,000 PHEVs driving on Belgian roads. This puts Belgium in third place across Europe when looking at the availability of charging points per inhabitant. Belgium now has 7.6 charging points per 1,000 inhabitants; only […]

UCLA measures double polluting particles around EV fast-chargers

August 18, 2025

A recent UCLA study discovered that the air around EV fast chargers in use had twice the amount of harmful fine particles typically found in an urban environment. Plugging an EV into a DC fast charger kicks up fine particles that pollute the air. Electric vehicles may be completely tailpipe emissions-free, but they still pollute […]

VW and Xpeng expand cooperation, now also for ICE cars

August 18, 2025

Volkswagen and its Chinese partner Xpeng have been developing a joint E/E architecture, set to be integrated into the Wolfsburg-based carmaker’s EV platforms CMP and MEB. Now, both companies have decided to extend the partnership to include plug-in hybrids and internal combustion engine models. These will be plug-in hybrid and ICE models sold exclusively in […]

IEA predicts lower oil prices in 2026 due to oversupply

August 14, 2025

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has once again lowered its global oil demand growth forecast for 2025 to 680,000 barrels per day (bpd), down from previous estimates of around 700,000 bpd. This reflects oversupply and weak consumption across major economies like China, India, and Brazil. This marks the slowest demand growth since 2009, excluding the impact […]

Arval: ‘Smaller BEVs lead the company cars ranking’

August 13, 2025

According to Arval Mobility Observatory, three smaller BEVs lead the list of most ordered company cars at leasing and mobility solutions company Arval. Although the BMW iX1 remained the number one in the second half of 2024, it has now been overtaken by the Kia EV3 and the Skoda Enyaq. “We knew these smaller BEVs […]

Annual record of negative current price already broken in mid-summer

August 11, 2025

Summer is only halfway over, but last Sunday, last year’s Belgian record of 408 hours of negative electricity prices was broken. This means that once again, we generated more electricity than we consumed, causing the price to drop so much that it fell below zero euros. A significant factor contributing to these frequent negative prices […]

Engie launches Flémalle’s ‘climate neutral’ gas-fired power plant

August 11, 2025

Energy company Engie has successfully fired up its new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Flémalle, near Liège, for the first time, completing extensive tests of all essential systems. The first ignition marks the transition from the construction phase to the operational testing phase. By November, the plant is expected to add approximately 875 […]

Lyten buys Northvolt and resurrects European battery dream

August 08, 2025

Lyten, a US-based battery start-up backed by Stellantis, has agreed to acquire the remaining assets of the collapsed Swedish battery maker Northvolt. The company stated that it aims to continue the plans already in place by previous management. The buy-in restores Europe’s faltering ambitions of building a homegrown battery industry, although under American wings. The […]

Snail tactics for Chevy Silverado EV’s range world record of 1,059 miles

August 06, 2025

Its size and bulky design speak against it, but General Motors managed to set a record with a range for the Chevrolet Silverado EV. The pickup clocked up an astonishing 1,059.2 miles, or 1,705 kilometers, on a single charge. That’s the longest distance ever driven by an electric road car without plugging in. That figure, […]

CEO Adrian Mardell leaves Jaguar Land Rover (Update)

August 05, 2025

Adrian Mardell, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), wants to retire after around three years in the top job. Under his leadership, the British manufacturer achieved its highest profit in ten years, significantly reduced its debts, and recently undertook a controversial rebranding of the Jaguar brand. JLR is changing CEOs at a perilous time. Mardell […]

New ‘electric face’ sign of better powertrain diversifiction at Mercedes-Benz

August 05, 2025

The best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV is going electric, and it’s bringing a new style with it. Mercedes promises the new GLC EV “redefines” the face of the luxury brand. At the same time, it serves as a signal of Mercedes’ powertrain diversification. It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz’s somewhat egg-shaped EQ electric cars haven’t caught on. Despite […]

Renault stays committed to HEVs and BEVs

August 05, 2025

Renault will stay resolute in its commitment to full-hybrid (HEVs) and electric cars (BEVs), essentially dismissing the usefulness of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as it transitions to a fully electrified range. Renault has just been crowned the number two car manufacturer in Europe, behind Volkswagen, but now ahead of Toyota, in the first half of 2025. […]

Renault wants to fight back in a difficult market

August 04, 2025

On the last day of July, Renault Group communicated its financial results for the first half of 2025. They weren’t exactly rosy, but the manufacturer still performed better than a lot of its competitors. On his first day as new CEO, François Provost promised ‘continuity and perseverance’. Renault Group announced on Thursday an adjusted benefit […]

BMW’s half year profit falls 29% amid tariffs and China challenges

August 01, 2025

BMW reported a sharp drop in first-half profits on Thursday, weighed down by US tariffs, currency headwinds from the dollar, and challenging business conditions in China. The Munich-based automaker reported a post-tax profit of €4 billion, down 29% from the same period last year, marking the third consecutive decline in the first half for the […]

Peter Kronschnabl (ex-BMW) to lead Genesis Motor Europe

August 01, 2025

Peter Kronschnabl, a senior figure from the BMW Group, has been appointed as the MD of Genesis Motor Europe. He takes over from Xavier Martinet, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, who previously served as interim Managing Director for Genesis MotorEurope. According to Genesis, Kronschnabl will head up the premium South Korean EV brand’s […]

ICCT half-year CO2 results: EVs are gaining momentum but ambition reduces

July 30, 2025

An analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)  of CO2 fleet emissions for new cars in H1 of 2025 shows that the car industry currently exceeds the EU limit by nine percent. This breach should actually trigger fines payable to the European Union. Due to the recent flexibilisation, that will not happen. The […]

EV sales rebound globally says PwC

July 29, 2025

Global sales of electric cars are picking up speed again, driven by strong growth in China and renewed momentum in Europe, according to a new analysis by consulting firm PwC. In the first half of the year, more than 5.9 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered worldwide, a 37% increase compared to the same […]

Up to €270 million in Flemish climate subsidies go to major polluters

July 29, 2025

It was already known that the Flemish government provides compensation support to major CO2 emitters. But according to the newspaper De Standaard, that support has increased from 36 million euros in 2019 to almost 270 million euros today. The top 10 beneficiaries include large companies, such as ArcelorMittal, BASF, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies. The support concerns the […]

Formula E remains official electric WC for FIA until 2048

July 29, 2025

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has extended its partnership with the all-electric racing series Formula E by ten years. Formula E will thus remain the exclusive, fully electric, single-seater category with FIA World Championship status, at least until 2048. While manufacturers and fans are mainly looking ahead to the next season starting in December […]

DHL expands its German fleet with 2,400 Ford e-vans

July 28, 2025

The German parcel and postal group DHL has doubled its fleet of electric Ford vans with the addition of 2,400 units, bringing the total to 4,900 vehicles. In total, DHL has a fleet of 35,000 e-vans in Germany. Both the larger Ford E-Transit and the more compact E-Transit Custom are part of this new expansion. […]

Qatar threatens to cut off LNG gas supplies to Europe

July 28, 2025

Qatar is threatening to stop gas supplies to the European Union. The threat comes in response to the European duty of care law on forced labor and environmental damage. This is evident from a letter from Qatar to the Belgian government, which was seen by Reuters news agency. Qatar is the world’s third-largest exporter of […]

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