Climate change is widening the gap between day and night

April 09, 2026

The difference between day and night temperatures – scientists call it ‘the diurnal temperature range’ – in spring is growing, and that is not good news, scientists say. And the trend is confirmed by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In the past, nighttime temperatures increased faster than daytime temperatures, so […]

Five-minute charge, €115,000 price tag, Denza faces EU reality check

April 09, 2026

With BYD’s Vice-President Stella Li taking the stage in Paris on Wednesday to launch Denza in Europe, the setting was as strategic as the product itself. China’s largest carmaker did not opt for a conventional auto show or conference hall, but rented the iconic Palais Garnier, one of Europe’s most emblematic temples of culture and […]

De Lijn tests smart ‘extra eyes’ for tram drivers in Ghent”

April 08, 2026

Following a successful pilot project in Antwerp, De Lijn will also test an advanced driver assistance system for trams in Ghent. The system acts as a digital co-pilot, assisting tram drivers in complex urban traffic situations by helping them identify risks more quickly and prevent collisions. Last year, the driver assistance system project, part of the […]

Three-quarters of former Van Hool employees are already back at work

April 08, 2026

Two years after the bankruptcy of bus manufacturer Van Hool, three out of four employees are back at work. This is according to figures released by Flemish Minister of Employment Zuhal Demir. According to the N-VA minister, the figures show that targeted guidance, outplacement, and training through VDAB, a Flemish government agency that matches labor […]

Ayvens aims to unlock trust in used EVs with battery health certificates

April 08, 2026

Ayvens Carmarket is introducing battery health certificates for used electric vehicles across Europe. This move may seem incremental at first glance, but it could mark a turning point in how the second-hand EV market operates. The initiative comes from Ayvens, one of the world’s largest mobility and leasing companies. Formed in 2023 through the merger […]

Toyota’s new RAV4 reinforces cautious path toward full electrification

April 08, 2026

Toyota has unveiled the sixth-generation RAV4. Toyota Motor Corporation is not just renewing one of its best-selling models; it is reaffirming a BEV-cautious strategy that continues to set it apart from much of the industry. Since its launch in 1994, the RAV4 has grown into one of the world’s most successful SUVs, with more than […]

Zeekr cars get Skoda-like Android infotainment in Europe

April 07, 2026

Zeekr has partnered with German infotainment company 3 Screen Solutions (3SS) to develop a new Android-based infotainment system for its European cars. It will offer an ‘Entertainment Hub’ featuring European content providers and streaming services for watching TV directly in the car. But it might come with ads. And does the layout of the Zeekr […]

Tesla makes a comeback in European sales charts

April 07, 2026

Registrations tripled in France, nearly doubled in Norway. After the worst year in recent memory, Tesla’s sales numbers are moving in the right direction again. The question is whether a cheaper Model Y and surpassing a stumbling BYD again are enough to call this a recovery. A year ago, Tesla was bleeding. Exactly one year […]

ACEA report: growth returns, but Europe’s car industry loses its edge

April 03, 2026

The latest Economic and Market Report for full-year 2025 from ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, paints a cautiously optimistic picture on the surface, but a deeper reading reveals a more unsettling reality for Europe’s automotive sector. While the headline figures point to stabilizing macroeconomic conditions and modest market growth, the underlying data highlights structural […]

Brussels wants to lower the price of CO2 emissions

April 02, 2026

The European Commission wants to limit high energy costs for heavy industry by lowering the price European companies pay to Brussels for their CO2 emissions. It would give entrepreneurs more financial breathing room in times of high energy prices and geopolitical unrest. A growing number of countries, including Poland and Italy, have been pushing for […]

End of the road for Volvo’s go-it-alone strategy as Geely calls the shots

April 01, 2026

Volvo Cars is drawing closer to sister brand Polestar and its Chinese parent, Geely, through a pair of moves that signal the end of the Swedish carmaker’s long-running independence. Volvo has long benefitted from an exclusive position within the Geely group, lending the brand a strong independence to safeguard its Swedish roots. But that privilege […]

Extra Belgian flights, grounded older jets: airlines’ summer dilemma

April 01, 2026

As demand rises, Brussels Airlines will operate additional flights during the summer vacation. It will therefore add approximately 170 extra round-trip flights within Europe, providing 60,000 additional seats. Lufthansa, the group to which Brussels Airlines belongs, is, on the other hand, exploring various scenarios to cope with rising kerosene prices driven by the war in […]

Is the new Citroën 2CV finally coming?

April 01, 2026

With retro design very popular these days and new EU regulations promoting small European EVs, the time may have come for a modern version of the iconic Citroën 2CV. Rumors have it that Citroën wants to surprise everybody at the next Paris Motor Show in October with an entirely new 2CV Concept. Citroen’s new CEO, […]

Geely puts Volvo in charge to fix Lynk & Co’s troubled European execution

March 31, 2026

Volvo Cars will take responsibility for the commercial and brand operations of its sister-brand Lynk & Co in Europe, marking a decisive step in Geely Holding Group’s accelerating strategy to integrate its brands and scale more efficiently on the continent. The move, announced on March 30, gives Volvo Cars control over Lynk & Co’s European […]

Beherman named FUSO importer in Netherlands, completing Benelux push

March 30, 2026

The Belgian family-owned Beherman Group is entering a new phase in its long history, with its subsidiary Beherman Motors appointed as the official importer of Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation vehicles in the Netherlands, expanding its territory to the entire Benelux. By taking over this role from Daimler Truck, the group not only grows […]

Geely integrates European engineering centers

March 30, 2026

The Chinese car manufacturer Geely is restructuring its European development activities by consolidating operations in Sweden and Germany under the new Geely Technology Europe unit. The move is intended to strengthen the region’s role within the group’s global development network. The move comes at the same time as the arrival of Geely-branded cars in Europe. […]

Cupra updates Tavascan with a more accessible base version

March 27, 2026

Cupra has quietly updated the Tavascan and added a new entry-level battery variant. A much larger instrument cluster and a revised steering wheel also join the facelift, but the sleek coupe-SUV silhouette remains firmly intact. The Tavascan serves as Cupra’s flagship model, but it has been struggling to find inroads at customers’ driveways. With a […]

Ford’s new Transit City uses a chapter from China’s playbook

March 27, 2026

With the Transit City, Ford Pro has chosen a strategy as surprising as it is logical: an electric van that draws its cost structure from a Chinese joint venture and its credibility from decades of Transit heritage. In a segment that is slowly but irreversibly going electric, Ford is betting on a combination no pure […]

Europ Assistance barometer: EV skepticism or confusion?

March 27, 2026

A new Belgian snapshot from the Europ Assistance Mobility Barometer seems to confirm a familiar narrative: a majority of Belgians (62%) say they are not yet prepared to choose a fully electric car as their next vehicle. But beyond the headline figures, the survey reveals a more fundamental gap between perception and reality that continues […]

Geely lands core brand in Benelux to take on EU’s mass EV market

March 26, 2026

Chinese carmaker Geely Auto is bringing its core, mass-market brand to the Benelux, explicitly positioning it as the group’s volume player alongside its more upmarket sister brands. The launch, announced in Amsterdam, is not just about two new SUVs, but about how Geely intends to structure its presence in Europe: with Geely Auto targeting affordability […]

3% drop in EU road fatalities, yet progress remains too slow

March 25, 2026

According to preliminary figures from the European Commission, 19,400 people lost their lives in traffic in the European Union in 2025. This represents a 3 percent decrease from 2024, resulting in 580 fewer fatalities. However, progress is “too slow” to meet the 2030 target. “Given the increase in the number of vehicles on EU roads and […]

French-Belgian border hides 34-million-ton white hydrogen treasure

March 25, 2026

In Pontpierre, near Metz, in northeastern France, hydrogen has been tapped in its natural form. Drilling to a depth of more than 3,600 meters has now confirmed the presence of a significant amount. The white hydrogen bubble was discovered three years ago, but has only now been tapped. The hydrogen bubble is said to extend into […]

VW Group plans recall of around 100,000 BEVs

March 25, 2026

The Volkswagen Group plans to recall several electric models based on the MEB platform. According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA or Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), this affects 74,579 units globally of the ID. 3, ID. 4, ID. 5, and ID. Buzz, and ID. Buzz Cargo series, as well as 19,452 Cupra Born vehicles. The issue […]

The real driver of Europe’s EV shift: a €67 billion oil problem

March 25, 2026

The spike in interest in electric vehicles triggered by the Iran war and the resulting oil price surge is real. But treating it as just another short-lived ‘fuel panic effect’ risks missing the bigger shift underway. Europe spends around €67 billion a year importing oil just to keep its cars running. That structural dependency, rather […]

Luxembourg’s R3 Robotics tackles EV recycling nobody has cracked yet

March 24, 2026

The electric vehicle recycling chain faces a problem that rarely makes headlines: safely breaking a complex, high-voltage electric drivetrain apart before any actual recycling can begin. Luxembourg-based start-up R3 Robotics, formerly known as Circu Li-ion, has just made that problem its entire identity. The company announced a formal rebranding alongside a €20 million fundraising. But […]

China’s battery grip tightens: 70% of the global market and rising

March 24, 2026

The numbers are in, and they make for uncomfortable reading if you’re sitting in Seoul, Detroit, or Brussels. Last year, Chinese battery manufacturers controlled 70.4% of the global EV battery market, up 20% from the year before. Basically, all car-producing nations outside of China are losing the battle for battery independence. Gradually, the fears are […]

For the first time, China exports more cars to Europe than it imports

March 23, 2026

The numbers tell a story that would have seemed impossible a decade ago. In 2025, for the first time on record, the value of cars and auto parts shipped from China into the European Union exceeded what the EU exported to China in return. For the global automotive industry, this represents a symbolic and economic […]

BYD targets Germany’s premium crown jewels with Denza’s EU debut

March 23, 2026

Chinese EV giant BYD will officially introduce its premium brand Denza to Europe on April 8 in Paris, using the unveiling of the Z9 GT as both a product launch and a strategic statement. While the Paris event marks the formal European debut, markets such as Belgium are expected to follow only later as part […]

Union says Volvo Car Gent to lose electric 40-series 

March 23, 2026

The Volvo factory in Ghent is facing a difficult stretch ahead. Union representatives leaked to the newspaper De Tijd that production of the EX40 and EC40 is set to move to the new plant in Slovakia. Management is staying quiet, but the technological and economic logic leaves little room for doubt. The news surfaced last […]

Range gap: why European EVs outperform US rivals on the road

March 20, 2026

European-built electric vehicles are often outperforming their American counterparts in real-world range tests. It’s a trend highlighted not only by independent comparisons but also by findings from Consumer Reports, one of the United States’ most influential independent product-testing organizations. Drawing on controlled testing and large-scale owner data, the nonprofit has shown that several EVs fall […]

The all electric i3: how BMW will prove ‘Freude am Fahren’ is not dead

March 19, 2026

For BMW, the electric era comes down to one brutal question: can it prove to the world that an EV can still feel like a BMW and that “Freude am Fahren” is not dead? To make that point, BMW went straight to its core: reinventing the 3 Series, the car that defines everything the brand […]

Dutch drivers flee high prices as Belgium becomes fuel haven

March 19, 2026

Irritation is growing among gas station owners in the border region between Belgium and the Netherlands. Dutch gas stations have seen revenue drop by an average of 10-20% in recent weeks due to the sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. In Belgium, on the other hand, gas station […]

For €26,690, the Kia EV2 is cheaper than expected 

March 18, 2026

At a time when the electric car market is straining under unmet promises, Kia is pushing the price boundary with the EV2. At €26,690 for the base version, it is not the cheapest EV on the market, but for an electric SUV, it’s priced lower than expected. Ordinary households can afford this, at least if […]

Volkswagen’s ID. Cross will start at €28,000

March 18, 2026

Volkswagen has announced an entry price of around €28,000 for the ID. Cross, which will launch in the European market starting in autumn 2026. Unlike the ID. Polo, however, it will initially not be available with the most powerful ‘GTI’ performance level. After journalists were allowed to test-drive camouflaged prototypes of the ID. Polo during […]

Is e-truck domination next on China’s radar?

March 17, 2026

After infiltrating the European market with dozens of electric passenger cars, Chinese manufacturers are now looking to do the same for the truck market. According to Reuters, at least six manufacturers are planning to enter Europe with electric trucks that are up to 30 percent cheaper than European rivals. With the domestic market pretty much […]

Leapmotor posts first annual profit as sales explode

March 17, 2026

Leapmotor, partly owned by Stellantis, has recorded its first full-year profit. Also in Europe, few car brands have grown as fast as the Chinese EV maker. In the final quarter of 2025 alone, Leapmotor delivered over 17,000 vehicles across Europe, compared to just 399 one year earlier. The surge is surfacing in the figures. Leapmotor […]

Is Stellantis seeking more partners in Europe?

March 16, 2026

The global automotive group Stellantis is reportedly reviewing its investments in Europe and engaging in discussions with competitors about potential cooperation and brand stakes. While Stellantis denies rumors of a breakup, it does not refute the alleged search for partners. According to insiders, Stellantis is exploring partnerships with financially strong Chinese companies to support its […]

Cooling EV enthusiasm pushes Renault to range extenders

March 16, 2026

Renault is recalibrating its electrification roadmap. To bridge the gap between internal combustion and a purely electric future, the French carmaker will introduce extended range electric vehicles (EREVs). Most likely together with partner Geely, with a technology focusing on ultra-compact ‘suitcase-sized’ engines that act solely as onboard generators. Will the other European car manufacturers follow […]

ESA launches new low-orbit satellites to improve European GPS system

March 13, 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch a new series of satellites into space starting March 24. The goal is to create a new layer of low-flying satellites that will make the European navigation system more robust, secure, and resilient, including against external attacks. But precision and speed should also improve, which is important for drones […]

Škoda posts record results while Volkswagen Group struggles

March 13, 2026

Czech carmaker Škoda Auto has delivered the best financial results in its history, highlighting a growing contrast within the wider Volkswagen Group and underlining the brand’s resilience in a challenging European car market. The Czech manufacturer reported record revenue of €30.1 billion in 2025, up 8.3% from the previous year. Operating profit rose 8.6% to […]

400 Million ’emergency oil barrels’ buy world another 20 days

March 12, 2026

The war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy markets and aviation. The announcement of a record release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves by the 32 members of the International Energy Agency (IEA), of which the US accounts for 172 million, does not seem to be calming the oil […]

T&E: ‘EV affordability tipping point nears in Europe’ (update)

March 12, 2026

A new analysis from environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) suggests the European electric vehicle market may be approaching an affordability turning point, as prices show early signs of easing after several years of increases. According to the group’s latest EV progress report, the average list price of battery electric cars in Europe fell by […]

Europe goes for small modular nuclear reactors by early 2030s

March 11, 2026

It has been a “strategic mistake” for Europe not to invest more in nuclear energy over the past few decades. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a speech at a nuclear energy summit in Paris. Von der Leyen also announced that the European Commission has a plan ready to […]

Dacia Striker signals Renault’s push to move its budget brand upmarket

March 11, 2026

The new Dacia Striker marks a significant step in Dacia’s transformation, as parent company Renault Group accelerates its plan to move the budget brand into larger, more profitable segments of the European market. Revealed as part of Dacia’s ‘futuREady’ roadmap to 2030, the Striker will be the largest vehicle the brand has ever offered. With a […]

Belgium’s rail strike culture faces yet another three-day test

March 09, 2026

At the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB, a three-day rail strike has started that will last until Wednesday at 10 p.m. Among other things, the unions are protesting the government’s plans to end permanent appointments on the railways and against government measures affecting the pension rights of railway staff. On the first of three strike […]

ACEA pleads for a stronger EU automotive package

March 09, 2026

Against the backdrop of “intensifying global competition, fragile supply chains, and rising protectionism”, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Light-Duty Vehicle Board met last Thursday to assess the conditions required for Europe to maintain its global automotive leadership. “Europe risks losing its edge, both as an attractive place to invest and as an industrial location, […]

VinFast unveils Rolls-Royce rival Lac Hong EV as EU ambitions cool

March 09, 2026

Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has unveiled two ultra-luxury electric vehicles — the Lac Hong 800S SUV and Lac Hong 900S sedan — at a time when the company is quietly scaling back its early ambitions in Europe. The new models, positioned at the top of a newly created Lac Hong luxury brand, mark a strategic […]

T&E: ‘Ferries in Europe emit more CO2 than 6.6 million cars’

March 06, 2026

Ferries in port cities like Barcelona, Dublin, and Naples are responsible for more toxic air pollution (sulphur oxide or SOx) than all the cars in those cities, a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows. Dublin is currently the most polluted port city in Europe for ferry air pollution, followed by Las Palmas and […]

Lotus’ first range-extender gears up for official launch in Eletre X

March 06, 2026

Lotus has unveiled further details of its first-ever plug-in hybrid platform. The technology makes its Chinese market debut in the Lotus For me (a rebranded Eletre built specifically for the local market) and will arrive in Europe later this year as the Eletre X. European customer deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter. The X […]

Elon Musk versus IG Metall union in Tesla Grünheide: 1-0

March 05, 2026

The works council elections at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Grünheide have delivered another blow to IG Metall. The independent list “Giga United” secured an outright majority. Union fighter Elon Musk, who ran a campaign against IG Metall, surfaces as the winner. The voting results leave little room for interpretation. Of the 37 seats on the new […]

EU unveils ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’

March 05, 2026

EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has unveiled the long-awaited ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’. With this industrial strategy, the EU Commission aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, and reduce the EU’s dependence on the USA and China. This will impact numerous sectors, including the automotive industry. Officially, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is presented as a […]

€2.50 diesel on Italian highways puts Europe on alert for fuel price surge

March 05, 2026

A spike in global oil markets is pushing diesel prices higher across Europe, with Italian motorway pumps reaching €2.50 per litre and Belgian retailers warning the surge is putting pressure on fuel supply margins. A dramatic illustration of how geopolitical shocks are quickly reaching European drivers and transport companies. Consumer group Codacons reported that diesel […]

Stellantis confirms Leapmotor B10 production in Zaragoza

March 04, 2026

Stellantis has confirmed that electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor will be produced at its Figueruelas plant near Zaragoza from the second half of 2026, marking a major step in the group’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global EV market. The announcement turns the Spanish plant into the first major Leapmotor production hub […]

Toyota and Stellantis may withdraw from Tesla CO₂ pool

March 04, 2026

Until now, the European CO₂ pool centered on Tesla has been a major conglomerate of automakers, including Ford, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Stellantis. However, for 2026, two major manufacturers, Toyota and Stellantis, may withdraw from this pool, two of Tesla’s largest financial contributors to this scheme. At the EU level, manufacturers can join so-called CO₂ […]

T&E: ‘Made in Europe could cut EV battery cost gap by two-thirds’

March 03, 2026

According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), EV battery cells produced in the EU currently cost about $41-$43 per kilowatt-hour more than those made in China. For a typical 60 kWh family EV, that implies a gross cell cost disadvantage of roughly €2,000-€2,500 per vehicle. Yet the same T&E report delivers a […]

Volkswagen’s electric milestone: 2 million sales

March 03, 2026

Volkswagen’s two-millionth electric vehicle marks a turning point for Europe’s most storied automaker. However, the number is mostly a reminder that the real race has only just begun. There is a certain quiet satisfaction to be found in Lower Saxony these days. While upstart brands dominate headlines with brash promises and record-breaking charging times, Volkswagen […]

BMW and CATL partner for the upcoming EU battery passport

March 02, 2026

Chinese battery giant CATL and premium car manufacturer BMW aim to deepen their existing partnership. In a new letter of intent, the focus is specifically on data exchange: Both parties intend to make progress in cross-border data transfer through pilot projects, with an eye on the upcoming battery passport requirements in the EU. BMW and […]

Volvo adds a cheaper base model to fix sliding sales of EX30 

February 26, 2026

Volvo announced a new entry-level variant of its smallest EV, the EX30. It is expected to start in the low 30,000 euro range in select European markets, well below the current Belgian starting price of 38,990 euros for the 200 kW Single Motor variant. It will be positioned as the cheapest Volvo in the lineup, […]

Stellantis posts dramatic €22.3bn loss in historic 2025 reset

February 26, 2026

Franco-Italian-American carmaker Stellantis Group has delivered one of the most dramatic earnings collapses in modern European automotive history. It reported a net loss of €22.3 billion for 2025 on revenues of €153.5 billion, confirming analyst expectations and placing the group among the largest annual loss-makers ever associated with a French corporate champion. The scale of […]

T&E: ‘EU fleets law could boost EV sales’

February 25, 2026

According to new T&E research, a new EU law to electrify the vehicle fleets of large companies could deliver 57% of the electric vehicle (EV) sales that carmakers need in 2030. While carmakers claim there is insufficient EV demand to meet their 2030 EU CO2 targets, T&E’s analysis shows that an ambitious company cars law […]

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