Worries about Chinese Yutong buses’ remotely operated ‘kill switch’

November 12, 2025

Yutong, China’s biggest bus manufacturer, based in Zhengzhou, which has supplied electric buses to Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, has built a remotely operated ‘kill switch’ into its vehicles. This mechanism gives the manufacturer digital access to systems for software updates and diagnostics. Still, in theory, it is also possible to disable or influence the […]

Renault asks EU to freeze rules for more affordable small EVs

November 12, 2025

Executives at Renault Group say they hope the European Commission’s plan for an ‘E-car,’ a small, low-cost EV built in Europe, can be accomplished by freezing regulations for existing small cars rather than creating a new category. Such a freeze would allow automakers to lower their cost base and make the cars economically viable and […]

European airlines pledge to stop ‘greenwashing’

November 11, 2025

Twenty-one European airlines have committed to stop making claims in relation to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions deemed misleading, the European Commission said on Friday. The airlines include some of the largest in Europe, such as Lufthansa (parent company of Brussels Airlines), Ryanair, KLM, and Air France. In May, the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy’s economic inspectorate, […]

Toyota Hilux enters new era as all-electric pickup

November 10, 2025

Toyota’s indestructible Hilux, long defined by diesel torque and unshakeable dependability, is stepping into uncharted territory. The ninth-generation, on order as of December, marks the most significant shift in the model’s 55-year history with the arrival of a battery-electric version. Also, a hydrogen-powered model will follow. The fully electric Hilux BEV leads the launch, hitting […]

CAM study foresees significant growth for EVs in 2025

November 10, 2025

The latest ‘Electromobility Report’ from the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, shows that e-mobility worldwide has been experiencing a significant upswing so far this year. In the world regions most important to the automotive industry – China, Europe, and the USA – approximately 12.8 million highly electrified vehicles were sold from the […]

Europe wants to limit flying by expanding the high-speed rail network

November 07, 2025

The European Commission wants to accelerate the rollout of the high-speed rail network by 2040. By significantly reducing travel times between European capitals, rail is set to become a more attractive alternative to short-haul flights. The ambitious plan also includes a new high-speed connection between Lisbon and Paris via Madrid. This would allow train passengers […]

Clea Martinet, Renault: ‘EV manufacturing costs will fall significantly’

November 05, 2025

Cléa Martinet, Renault’s Director of Sustainability, says that “by 2028, manufacturing costs are expected to fall by around 40% compared with the first generation of the electric Megane.” In an interview with the German magazine Autoflotte.de, she explained that the most significant levers are the switch to LFP battery cells, more efficient electric drives, and […]

The EU will present CO2 regulations for company fleets in December

November 05, 2025

The EU has been revising its CO2 regulations for companies for some time now, and many companies fear an early combustion engine ban through the back door. The Commission is expected to present its plans in mid-December. According to the German specialized magazine Automobilwoche, citing industrial sources, the EU Commission intends to present its plans […]

Zeekr X gets range, power and luxury boost at lower price in China

November 05, 2025

Geely’s Swedish-Chinese subbrand Zeekr has just rolled out a refreshed version with more power, more range, and a surprisingly long list of luxury features of its compact electric SUV, the Zeekr X, a sibling to the Volvo EX30 (Belgium-built )and the Smart #1. It packs a 61.47 kWh LFP battery, offering up to 530 km […]

European truck manufacturers want to weaken CO2 targets

November 03, 2025

Truck manufacturers Volvo Trucks, Daimler, Scania, MAN, Iveco, and Ford have sent a letter to the EU calling for the CO2 emission regulations for the sector to be relaxed. While they do not question the cornerstones of the current standard, they do question the stages between the annual targets. The news was reported by the […]

Audi profits rebound after Brussels plant write-off

November 03, 2025

Audi’s third-quarter earnings have risen sharply, mainly because last year, the burden of shutting down its Brussels plant weighed heavily on the results. However, the positive figures mask deeper financial strain from tariffs, falling volumes in China, and rising costs associated with its transition to electric vehicles.  Audi reported an operating profit of €468 million […]

China signals ‘flexibility’ in worrying Nexperia export ban

November 03, 2025

The Nexperia crisis is entering an easing phase. China has said it will grant case-by-case exemptions from its ban on Nexperia chip exports. This could offer a lifeline to automakers scrambling to secure supplies. In the meantime, industry leaders warn that recovery from the disruption could take months. The Ministry of Commerce said eligible firms […]

Virgin challenges Eurostar’s dominance with access to key St. Pancras station

October 31, 2025

Virgin Trains, the railway company owned by British businessman Richard Branson, has received permission from the British regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), to share a central rail depot in east London, where trains are maintained and parked, with Eurostar. With the application approved, Virgin Trains is removing a significant barrier to the […]

Brussels Airlines will fly to Kilimanjaro, Lufthansa will cut in EU destinations

October 30, 2025

From June 3, Brussels Airlines will fly twice a week to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, as a stopover on flights to Nairobi, Kenya. Brussels Airlines specializes in flights to Africa. Next year, the airline will offer 18 destinations there. Parent company Lufthansa, on the other hand, will cut several European connections and domestic flights from its 2026 […]

Opel forced to shut down German testing facilities: 300 jobs lost

October 29, 2025

Around 300 employees at Opel’s vehicle testing facilities near Frankfurt are set to lose their jobs as French engineering firm Segula Technologies, which operates the sites, winds down its activities following insolvency. The two affected facilities, in Rodgau-Dudenhofen and Rüsselsheim, which have long been central to Opel’s engineering heritage, are among the most significant test […]

EU car registrations up 10% in September, EV share at 16% of the market

October 28, 2025

According to the data provided by the Association of European Car Manufacturers (ACEA), new EU car registrations increased by 0.9% compared to the same nine months last year, marking the third consecutive month of growth. This recent momentum has been driven in part by the launch of new models, with September alone posting a strong […]

Can a ‘charging mandate’ keep plug-in hybrids alive after 2035?

October 28, 2025

The German car lobby is pushing an unusual idea to boost sales of plug-in hybrids as the EU seeks to measure their real-life emissions more accurately. The proposal? A legal obligation for plug-in hybrid drivers to charge their cars regularly. The punishment for not abiding by that obligation is reduced power. A creative solution, but […]

Alexandre Malval to head Renault design in 2026

October 27, 2025

Effective January 2, 2026, Alexandre Malval has been appointed Vice President of Design for the Renault brand. He will report to Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer and member of the Renault Group Leadership Team. He will also join the Renault brand management committee. “We are delighted to welcome Alexandre Malval to our Design […]

BYD bets big on plug-in hybrids with small Atto 2 DM-i

October 24, 2025

Chinese automaker BYD is best known as an electric car brand, but all of its top sellers still rely on an electrified combustion engine. After the Seal U and the Seal 6, the compact crossover Atto 2 will soon add a plug-in hybrid variant to the pure electric model. The new addition is set to […]

Eurostar goes big: 50 new double-deck Alstom trains with up to 1,000 seats

October 23, 2025

High-speed train operator Eurostar has ordered 50 trains from French company Alstom. These are double-decker trains, a first for Eurostar. Thanks to their double configuration, with two trains coupled together, they offer more than 1,000 seats per journey while traveling at a maximum speed of 320 km/h. Eurostar needs the trains to open new routes […]

Tesla’s record sales can’t save its crashing profits

October 23, 2025

Tesla’s latest quarterly report shows the electric-car maker couldn’t benefit from record sales, driven by the prospect of the EV credit abortion in its home country. Despite delivering a record 497,099 vehicles in the third quarter — a 7 percent increase year over year — the company’s net profit tumbled 37 percent to $1.37 billion. […]

EU’s Hoekstra: Carbon tax must shield citizens and SMEs from fuel hikes

October 22, 2025

The European Commission will propose measures to mitigate the impact of its new carbon tax on citizens and businesses. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to alleviate fears of price increases and provide Member States with resources to support families by adjusting the implementation of the CO2 tax. The aim is to save the […]

EU Parliament approves new digital driver’s license

October 22, 2025

The European Parliament has approved two texts that pave the way for digital driving licenses on smartphones by the end of 2030. They do not replace the physical driver’s license, but both will be valid. In the future, it will also be possible to begin training to become a truck driver at the age of 17. […]

Another 317,600 Belgian dieselgate victims have five days left to file claim

October 21, 2025

Belgian victims of the Dieselgate scandal who still want to file a claim for €1,000 in compensation need to hurry, because the deadline of Sunday, October 26th, is fast approaching. However, the victims themselves do not seem to be losing any sleep over it. According to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, only 2,400 Belgians have […]

Auto industry braces for escalating chip crisis over Nexperia (update)

October 21, 2025

The dispute between the Netherlands and China over semiconductor maker NXP (formerly Nexperia) is very much alive and escalating. It has moved from a governance dispute into a real supply-chain risk scenario. Nexperia’s China unit has publicly declared it will operate independently of the Dutch headquarters, saying Chinese site staff should ignore instructions from the […]

Nissan cozies up to BYD instead of Renault to avoid EU CO₂ fines

October 21, 2025

“Nissan intends to CO₂-pool with BYD across the EU during 2025 to meet more challenging emissions targets.”  That’s what Schmidt Automotive Research, a UK-established, Germany-based independent consultancy and publishing firm that specializes in the automotive market, predicts. However, neither Nissan nor BYD has confirmed this so far. Nissan’s intention to pool its European fleet CO₂ […]

Net-Zero Framework shipping postponed under pressure from Trump

October 20, 2025

The vote on a carbon tax for international shipping, known as the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), has been postponed for a year. This was decided on Friday in London by the member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime branch of the United Nations. The postponement comes under pressure from US President Donald Trump. […]

Pets are ‘baggage’ in aviation according to the European Court of Justice

October 17, 2025

A pet travelling on an airplane falls under the definition of ‘baggage’. The European Court of Justice has declared this. The declaration arose from a dispute between a Spanish airline and a passenger whose dog was lost during transportation. Whether animal welfare organizations will be happy with this legal ruling is another question. They consider […]

Waymo to launch self-driving taxis in London in 2026

October 16, 2025

Alphabet-Google’s daughter company, Waymo, plans to introduce its robotaxi operations in London next year. This is in response to plans by the British government to allow commercial pilot projects with autonomous vehicles from 2026. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “delighted” by the announcement. For Waymo, this will be its second international expansion, after […]

Stellantis invests more than €11 billion in the U.S.

October 16, 2025

The multi-brand car manufacturer Stellantis will invest $13 billion (€11.2 billion) to expand its U.S. operations and boost domestic production over the next four years. It will focus primarily on new combustion-engine (ICE) models. New Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa described the plan as the most significant single investment in the company’s 100-year history. With the […]

Norway to tighten VAT gap: phasing out EV perks, hiking ICE taxes

October 16, 2025

The end of the EV paradise? Norway’s 25% VAT exemption for electric vehicles has been in place for over 20 years, making it one of the earliest and longest-running EV incentives in the world, but now it’s thinking about scrapping it from 2027. Alongside, the government proposes increasing the registration tax on fossil fuel (ICE) […]

T&E: ‘PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars’

October 16, 2025

The EU car industry wants plug-in hybrid vehicles to be considered carbon neutral, but data from thousands of vehicles shows that PHEVs emit just 19% less CO2 per km, on average, than petrol and diesel cars. Carmakers are lobbying and asking EU lawmakers to treat hybrids as clean vehicles under a ‘technology-neutral’ approach to decarbonizing […]

Flemish renewable energy plans cost households and businesses €11.2 billion

October 15, 2025

The Court of Audit, responsible for external control of the budgetary, accounting, and financial transactions of Belgian governments, has reviewed the Flemish plans for renewable energy. The institution also examined the financial support for renewable energy. Between 2014 and 2023, almost 13 billion euros in support for renewable energy were granted in Flanders. And 11.2 […]

Global EV sales smash two-million barrier: a new monthly record

October 15, 2025

According to a new report from UK-based research, analytics, and data company Rho Motion, global EV sales—battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combined —passed the 2.1 million mark for the first time in September 2025, up 26% YoY. The Reuters press agency adds a regional snapshot detailing that China contributes the most with 1.3 […]

Nissan refreshes the Ariya with a calmer face and new software 

October 14, 2025

Three years after its launch, Nissan has given the Ariya a modest but meaningful update. The electric SUV retains its core engineering but gains a sleeker design and much-needed digital upgrades. With Google built-in technology and the ability to power external devices, the Ariya is being repositioned as more practical and better connected. When it first […]

Ford changes strategy (again) in Europe and names new CEO

October 14, 2025

Ford has nominated a new CEO for Europe as it wants more region-focused cars again. Jim Baumbick is named Ford of Europe’s first president in three years; his first task will be to develop and build those more Europe-focused cars. Ford has named Jim Baumbick as its first dedicated European boss in three years, as […]

Washington wants to force the world to get rid of CO2 tax for shipping

October 13, 2025

The United States is threatening sanctions if the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ maritime branch, votes this week in London to adopt the Net-Zero Framework definitively. This framework aims to make shipping greener through a carbon tax. Sixty-three countries have already expressed their support for the plan, including Belgium. Sixteen countries, including Russia […]

Stripped-down Tesla Model Y Standard cuts under 40,000 euros in Europe

October 13, 2025

As previously announced, Tesla has begun assembly and sales of its new base model, the Model Y Standard. The new Model Y Standard, priced from €39,990 in Belgium, lowers the barrier to entry by trimming away some of the brand’s hallmark features. The Standard must help revive flagging European demand, though some European markets have […]

Lufthansa CEO fears aviation sector will not achieve its 2050 climate targets

October 10, 2025

The head of Lufthansa does not believe the aviation sector will achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. CEO Carsten Spohr attributes this to the slow development of technology and the increased availability of more sustainable aircraft fuels. The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals. The company aims to achieve a neutral CO2 […]

EU’s intended tariff wall against cheap steel evokes mixed reactions

October 08, 2025

The European Commission wants to erect a tariff wall to protect the strategically important steel industry from global overcapacity. Welcomed by the European steel industry, which is in a state of survival, but met with skepticism by European carmakers who fear higher production costs. Specifically, the Commission wants to limit tariff-free imports of steel from […]

Merz ups pressure on EU Commission regarding ICE ban in 2035

October 07, 2025

The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declared yesterday that he wants the EU Commission to abolish the EU ban on the sale of ICE cars after 2035. “I don’t wish Germany to be one of the countries supporting this bad interdiction,” he said on the TV channel NTV. The pressure of big German car companies like […]

Belgium finally has its national climate plan

October 07, 2025

After more than a year of delays, the Belgian federal government and the regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region have finalized the approval of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP). At the same time, an agreement has also been reached on the distribution of funds from the European Social Climate Fund. Maron: […]

Tesla upgrades Model 3 and Y with more range and signal stalk

October 07, 2025

After months of sliding deliveries and growing unease about Elon Musk’s political antics, Tesla is crawling back. The American carmaker has not only retooled its two best-selling models, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, but also recorded a sales recovery during the third quarter of the year. Even in Europe, sales are partly […]

Belgian trade union publishes 11th black book on motorway parking areas

October 06, 2025

The socialist transport workers union BTB-ABVV has once again published a black book on Belgian motorway parking areas. “Unsafe, inadequate, and uncomfortable” is the conclusion of the 11th review, which examined more than 50 parking areas in Belgium and abroad. “It’s high time that policymakers, employers, and clients take responsibility,” says Tom Peeters, deputy federal […]

Low well-being among aviation personnel puts pressure on safety

October 03, 2025

A new study funded by the European Commission and conducted by Ghent University on the working conditions of pilots and cabin crew at airlines in the EU reveals some alarming trends that are not necessarily encouraging for airline passengers. High workloads, fatigue, stress, and feelings of dehumanization are commonplace, and the pressure for efficiency and […]

New Eurostar uniforms nod to European cultural diversity and gender neutrality

October 02, 2025

The approximately 2,600 employees of the Eurostar high-speed train service have been sporting new uniforms since yesterday. This is the first comprehensive uniform revamp for the company in over a decade. The 54-piece collection reflects the European spirit and is inspired by the various European cities served by Eurostar. In addition to cultural references to […]

Kia unveils EV5 for Korea and Europe, to arrive end of 2025 (Update)

October 01, 2025

Kia’s new EV5 mid-sized SUV, built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, delivers up to 530 km range, fast charging, V2L/V2G power capabilities, and advanced safety. It is scheduled to launch in Korea and Europe in late 2025; pricing has just been communicated and starts at €45,990. Kia’s EV5 is a fully electric mid-sized SUV built on […]

Renault CEO François Provost: ‘Europe must focus on lower EV prices’

September 30, 2025

The recently appointed new CEO of the Renault Group, François Provost, gave his first international press interview recently at the IAA in München. His central message was clear: EU legislators should focus on reducing the cost of BEVs, rather than forcing manufacturers to sell significantly more of them. The Frenchman was recently named CEO of […]

Mitsubishi’s new Eclipse Cross starts at €47,990

September 30, 2025

Mitsubishi has reintroduced the Eclipse Cross name to European roads, but this time, the badge will adorn the rear of a French-built electric SUV. The Japanese carmaker has unveiled a fully electric Eclipse Cross this month, with first deliveries planned by the end of 2025. Prices will start at €47,990 for the Intense base version. […]

Volkswagen halts production at German EV-only plants

September 29, 2025

Shortly after Stellantis announced temporary closures, competitor Volkswagen is also reducing production at several of its German electric car production sites. Sales of fully electric cars remain too weak. While the August statistics showed a spark of hope for electric cars, with an uptick of 30%, absolute sales numbers still fail to match production. Currently, […]

Bosch Mobility axes 13,000 jobs to tackle structural €2.5 billion cost gap

September 26, 2025

German Bosch, one of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide, announced that it has to axe 13,000 jobs, mainly in Germany, as “structural and personnel adjustment measures are unavoidable” to close a structural cost gap of €2.5 billion globally. Bosch states that “particularly its Mobility locations in Germany” will be affected by these cuts, which are […]

August figures show electric blitz: one in five new EU cars is an EV

September 26, 2025

European drivers are buying electric cars at record levels this year, even as the continent’s overall car market shows signs of stagnation. The latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reveal battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) expanding their foothold across the region. Gasoline and diesel models face a steep decline. In August, registrations of BEVs […]

Spying while parked? Belgian minister slams Tesla

September 25, 2025

Tesla’s signature ‘Sentry Mode’, an anti-vandalism feature that activates exterior cameras when the car is parked, has come under scrutiny. Belgian lawmakers and regulators question whether the technology violates national privacy laws. Vanessa Matz, Belgium’s minister of digital affairs, told parliament this week that the system, which is designed to monitor the surroundings of a […]

Stellantis halts production at six European plants over weak demand

September 24, 2025

Stellantis is preparing to suspend operations across multiple European plants. Slow demand forces the automotive giant to curb output and recalibrate inventories. The company confirmed temporary shutdowns in France and Italy, while reports in the French business daily Les Échos indicate similar pauses in Spain, Germany, and Poland. At the Poissy plant, west of Paris, […]

ING: ‘Ports and logistics struggle with decarbonization and digitalization’

September 23, 2025

The Belgian port, transport, and logistics sector is in complete transition toward decarbonization, sustainability, and digitalization. According to the new ING Port Study, the sector is embracing change but also faces several challenges. The study examines the factors that accelerate the implementation of greening and digitalization, as well as the barriers that exist. The aim was to gather […]

China ramps up EV exports as sales surge in Europe

September 23, 2025

China is intensifying its efforts in the electric car market. The country has unveiled a new strategy that pairs ambitious domestic sales targets with a sharper focus on exports. The new ambitions coincide with a significant increase in sales from Chinese brands in Europe, where their sales have more than doubled in the past year. […]

Porsche in reverse: EV dream stalls, petrol roars back

September 23, 2025

Porsche is dramatically scaling back its push into electric cars, shelving key models and extending the life of gasoline and hybrid vehicles. The sudden reversal comes after a profit warning and has unsettled investors. One of Germany’s most celebrated luxury brands is in turmoil and intends to fight back by looking to its roots. The […]

Cyberattack on check-in and boarding systems hits European aviation

September 22, 2025

Several European airports, including Brussels Airport, Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Dublin, and Cork, have been disrupted on Friday and in the weekend by a cyberattack on external service provider Collins Aerospace. Even though it’s been a few days, the fallout is still being felt. The attack affected the American aviation company, which supplies software for […]

Port of Antwerp-Bruges tests first autonomous truck in Belgium

September 17, 2025

On Tuesday, Port of Antwerp-Bruges organized the first fully autonomous truck journey on public roads in Belgium. This milestone, operated under the Belgian regulatory framework, showcases how Belgium – and Europe — can take the lead in advancing autonomous freight technology. With this initiative, the port authority wants to emphasise its pioneering role in the field of […]

Dutch-German-Belgian three-country train is late one in three times

September 17, 2025

The three-country train between Maastricht in the Netherlands, the German city of Aachen, and Liège in Belgium was canceled too often last year and ran late 34% of the time. According to agreements between the Dutch province of Limburg and transport company Arriva, this should be no more than 5%. The main reasons for cancellations […]