January 17, 2025
The Brussels urban movement BRAL, together with other civil society organizations, points out a legal error in the ordinance on the postponement of the tightening of the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) in the Brussels Capital Region. Due to a reference to the wrong article, many diesel and gasoline cars will be driving “illegally” in Brussels. According […]
January 17, 2025
In a letter to EU leaders, the newly appointed European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) President, Ola Källenius (also CEO of Mercedes-Benz), outlines the automotive sector priorities to ensure future competitiveness and drive decarbonization. The Mercedes boss came to the Brussels Motor Show to clarify his views on the matter and explain the challenges the European […]
January 16, 2025
Outgoing US President Joe Biden presented a farewell gift this week. He announced sweeping new restrictions, banning Chinese and Russian technology in connected vehicles over national security concerns. The new regulations will prohibit the sale, import, and use of hardware, software, and complete vehicles incorporating such technologies in the US. The White House stated that […]
January 15, 2025
Toyota, the world’s number one car manufacturer, has been revealed as the most prominent auto industry funder of climate deniers in the US Congress, according to a report released last week by Public Citizen. Meanwhile, it is spending a lot of money and influence lobbying against EV regulations. Public Citizen’s report, “Driving Denial: How Toyota’s […]
January 08, 2025
In its latest update of the ‘Chinese military companies’ list, the US Department of Defense (DoD) mentions the Chinese battery giant CATL for the first time, along with Tencent, another Chinese giant in gaming and communications. CATL is the world’s biggest EV battery maker, with nearly 37% market share. It is way ahead of the […]
January 08, 2025
As the 2025 EU emissions targets draw closer, automakers hastily form alliances and pool carbon credits to evade potentially billions in fines. Electric vehicle pioneers like Tesla and Polestar are taking advantage of their zero-emission lineups by selling surplus credits to manufacturers. Hesitating carmakers are allowed to join until the beginning of February. Under the […]
January 06, 2025
Between November 2022 and January 2023, about 600 e-buses were registered in France eligible for an ecological bonus. However, more than half of those buses did not exist: fraudsters used loopholes in the state registration system to scam subsidies for hundreds of fake e-buses. According to Le Monde, up to 10 million euros in public […]
January 06, 2025
In a groundbreaking yet polarizing move, New York City introduced a $9 congestion toll for vehicles entering southern Manhattan during peak hours last Sunday. It’s the first US city to implement such a policy, modeled after examples of cities worldwide. Having been postponed for half a year, the toll is sending ripples all over the […]
January 06, 2025
In 2023, 5,485 motorists, vans, and trucks in Belgium were fined for not respecting sufficient distance from the vehicle in front. Tailgating, however, is a dangerous and antisocial phenomenon. Mobility organization VAB recently surveyed its members about the biggest annoyances they experience in traffic. The top three irritations included people not using turn signals (1), […]
January 03, 2025
Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wants to allow super trucks on Flemish highways within two years. The approval for the longer and heavier vehicles, or LHVs as these trucks that are up to 25,25 meters long and weigh up to 60 tons are officially called, will come on condition that a few strict […]
December 26, 2024
The Government has invited the UK automotive and charging industries to shape the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles. On Tuesday, 24 December, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched a consultation to ask industry views on the 2030 phase-out date for new purely gasoline and diesel cars and make the transition to zero-emission vehicles a success. The […]
December 23, 2024
The long-awaited project around electric flying cabs in Paris will not happen this year. The French Council of State annulled the ministerial decree authorizing the creation of an aircraft take-off and landing platform of 740 m² on the Seine in Paris. French airport operator Aéroports de Paris (ADP), along with Volocopter, the German manufacturer of […]
December 19, 2024
As President Biden’s last days in office approach, his administration has granted California and eleven other states permission to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. This marks one of the most ambitious climate policies in the US, but President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to lift the ban. This has now been made […]
December 18, 2024
The environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) has responded to the increasing pressure of the car manufacturers’ lobby regarding the 2025 EU CO2 emission targets with an analysis proving that the industry can achieve the goals and avoid the fines pending for 2025. The European Commission seems to be on the same line. Last week, […]
December 17, 2024
Electric vehicles are widely regarded as a cost-effective alternative to gasoline-powered cars, but that trend has officially reversed in the Netherlands. According to the latest Elektrisch Rijden Monitor by the Dutch motorists’ association ANWB, it’s now more expensive to drive an EV than a combustion-engined car. The report highlights growing concerns over rising operating costs, […]
December 13, 2024
The tax on the private use of a diesel or gasoline company car – the so-called taxable ‘benefit in kind’, (Voordeel Alle Aard, VAA – will increase in 2025. According to human resources service provider SD Worx, a few euros are added monthly. You ‘get’ a car from work but must pay taxes on its […]
December 13, 2024
The introduction of an annual road tax for new electric cars in Flanders, initially set to take effect on January 1st, 2025, has been postponed. This was confirmed by the cabinet of Flemish Finance Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) to Het Laatste Nieuws. The delay is attributed to the ongoing development of a taxation formula and […]
December 10, 2024
The Doel 4 nuclear reactor is producing power again for the first time in months. Within two days, the reactor will be running at full power. Meanwhile, the Council of State warns of possible damage claims due to tampering with the nuclear shutdown. Doel 4 had been shut down since late August. As part of […]
December 10, 2024
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has spoken out against delaying the EU’s CO2 targets for 2025. At the same time, he continues to argue in favor of remaining open to different technologies but sees electric cars as having the most significant growth potential. In an interview with the German specialized magazine Automobilwoche, Zipse advocates remaining open […]
December 09, 2024
The Brussels Parliament has adopted an ordinance proposal to postpone the taxi sector’s obligation to purchase zero-emission vehicles by two years until January 2027. Green parties denounced the fact that since June, there has been no majority in the Brussels Parliament except for specific files, such as for the two-year postponement of the tightening of […]
December 09, 2024
In Belgium, employers must reimburse their employees with an electric company car for the actual cost of EV charging at home. So far, determining this ‘real cost’ has proved daunting, as electricity prices are ‘blurry’ and vary between employees and among regions, and digital meters aren’t widespread yet. To prevent confusion, the resigning Belgian Minister […]
December 02, 2024
Stockholm’s ambition to establish the world’s first urban zero-emission vehicle zone in its upscale shopping district has hit a roadblock. Originally slated to take effect by the end of the year, the initiative is now on hold as Sweden’s County Administrative Board examines appeals filed by five companies opposing the measure. In a surprise move, […]
November 27, 2024
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a proposal to revive the state’s electric vehicle rebate program in response to former President Donald Trump’s pledge to eliminate the federal EV tax credit. However, the proposed plan includes a controversial exclusion of Tesla models, the state’s leading EV manufacturer. Elon Musk labeled the move as “insane.” As […]
November 27, 2024
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term as US president, his campaign rhetoric quickly transforms into aggressive trade policies. The president-elect has reignited fears of wide-ranging trade wars, confirming his plans to impose substantial tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. Cars and automotive parts assembled in this region could face excess duties of […]
November 26, 2024
From December 1st, the American ride-hailing service Uber will also start offering its services throughout Wallonia, just as it already does in Flanders and Brussels. New regulations in Wallonia will make expansion possible. In February, Uber had already launched its UberTaxi service, a classic stand-up cab service in several cities in Wallonia. The price is […]
November 26, 2024
German carmaker Mercedes is ‘reinventing’ braking on electric cars by ditching the classic wheel brake disks and moving the braking system into the electric drive unit at the front or rear axle. This system is more efficient, quiet, and virtually maintenance-free for the car’s lifespan, and brake dust is kept inside without the need for […]
November 20, 2024
The Brussels ombudsman office wants MIVB/STIB to curb noise pollution caused by defective wheels on M7 subway trains. The appeal comes after an investigation following a complaint from a resident of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert/Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe about noise pollution from the metro. According to Ombuds Brussels, the MIVB/STIB, the future Brussels government, and the public institution Brussels Environment must […]
November 20, 2024
Tesla shares soared by over 7% following reports that U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump’s administration plans to prioritize federal regulations for self-driving vehicles. Bloomberg reported that Trump’s transition team has identified autonomous vehicle policy as a critical focus for the Department of Transportation. In a single trading session, Tesla’s market value was boosted by $70 billion […]
November 19, 2024
The Danish government will introduce an emissions tax on livestock farming by 2030, making Denmark the first country in the world to do so. Although New Zealand announced a similar law in 2022, it was withdrawn after widespread farmer protests. The aim is to make agriculture more sustainable. Denmark is a big dairy and pork […]
November 18, 2024
According to the traffic safety institute Vias, traffic accidents in Belgium cost eleven billion euros annually. The institute calculated that every road death costs seven million euros and every seriously injured person costs 700,000 euros. Vias’ study was based on the number of accidents in 2022. VIAS added up the cost of suffering caused by […]
November 14, 2024
Engie and lime producer Carmeuse are terminating the Columbus project, an industrial carbon capture and use (CCU) plant at Amercoeur near Charleroi, for “economic and regulatory reasons.” The project had a total investment cost of more than 300 million euros. 187,000 tons of CO2 With the Columbus project, French energy company Engie and Carmeuse, in […]
November 12, 2024
E-bike manufacturer Ouxi will launch a mini fat bike with a lower frame and smaller wheels next month. The Cooryda C80 Pro Mini seems to be an exact copy of the regular fat bike but in pocket size. It has the same robust appearance, but the manufacturer focuses on 10- to 14-year-olds. The children’s version […]
November 11, 2024
Tensions are rising over next year’s new EU CO2 emission targets for the auto industry. Backed by Germany, France is pushing the European Commission to postpone the targets by one year. However, the Brussels administration maintains a firm stance. Without delay, car makers will need a significant uptick in electric car sales next year. However, […]
November 07, 2024
The new Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder warned that the number of EV premium requests has already surpassed 11,700, doubling the budget initially foreseen by predecessor Lydia Peeters (Open Vld). De Ridder (N-VA) wanted to take a decretional decision to abolish the premium as soon as possible. This decision was voted positively on Wednesday […]
November 06, 2024
On Sunday, the new French Economy Minister Antoine Armand pleaded to postpone the fines for car manufacturers exceeding the EU CO2 targets. A spokesman for the European Commission responded on Monday that such initiatives are premature. “Talking already about a change in the Commission’s position on these matters is really premature,” he said in Brussels. […]
November 05, 2024
Fret SNCF, the cargo arm of the French national railroad company SNCF, will cease operations in 2025. The freight division will be replaced by two new companies: Hexafret for freight transport and Technis for locomotive maintenance. The transformation also involves a 10% reduction in jobs. The changes are the result of proceedings initiated against the […]
November 04, 2024
Starting today, car traffic in the city center of Paris will be restricted even further with the introduction of a car-free zone, a so-called “zone à traffic limité” (ZTL). The measure is intended to reduce noise and harmful emissions, improve road safety, and create more space for cyclists and pedestrians. In addition, the new zone […]
November 01, 2024
Norway is revising its climate targets for vans, with a proposed delay of the deadline for all new van sales to be zero-emission from 2025 to 2027. The shift seems necessary as adoption moves much slower than the high sales penetration of battery-electric cars. Even in zero-emission Walhalla, vans stick to burning fossil fuels. The […]
October 30, 2024
The European Commission has made the higher import tariffs on Chinese EVs effective ‘by law’ from Thursday after the official publication of it. Negotiations with Chinese government failed so far, but the Commission is aiming for deals with individual manufacturers now on a minimum price for cars and quotas for their imports. In return, the […]
October 28, 2024
As tensions escalate over European Union tariffs on electric vehicles, Bloomberg reports that China is pressing its automakers from the backroom to halt their expansion plans into Europe. Beijing allegedly advises Chinese car manufacturers to stop pursuing new production sites in the EU and avoid signing further agreements while negotiations with Brussels are ongoing. In […]
October 23, 2024
The Lower House in the Netherlands wants to postpone introducing emission-free zones for company cars and trucks until 2029. However, on January 1, 14 municipalities, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, wanted to introduce these zones despite resistance from the political Hague and most business owners. Still, there is little chance that the introduction can be stopped. […]
October 23, 2024
European environmental lobby group Transport & Environment has published a study with the Clean Cities Campaign that the supply of electric vans will be enough by 2030 to introduce zero-emission zones for freight in every European capital. But a few asterisks remain. The EU’s more stringent ambient air quality directive (AAQD), which comes into effect […]
October 22, 2024
Britain’s financial watchdog has fined Volkswagen 5.4 million pounds or about 6.5 million euros. The fine was issued because the German car group’s finance arm confiscated cars from vulnerable people with little warning. Volkswagen Finance must also compensate 110,000 affected customers with 21.5 million pounds or about 25.8 million euros. According to the Financial Conduct […]
October 18, 2024
A survey (among 3,540 Flemish drivers) by mobility organization VAB revealed that cyclists riding in the dark without lights on and car drivers who do not use their indicators are Flemish motorists’ biggest annoyances in traffic. The organization, therefore, pleads for stricter punishment for some violations and refresher courses for drivers. Other drivers’ most annoying […]
October 18, 2024
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse’s latest stance against the sales ban on combustion-engined cars by 2035 might reignite the discussion surrounding a political revision on the EU level. According to the top executive, keeping the combustion engine running is the best remedy for remaining competitive in the face of mounting Chinese competition. President of the European […]
October 17, 2024
According to figures from Transport for London (TfL), more than 1,400 vehicles have already been seized by bailiffs in London for non-payment of Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fines. Since August last year, virtually all of London has been an environmental zone, the world’s largest pollution charging zone. That means users of polluting cars must pay […]
October 16, 2024
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has published a study on the CO2 reduction requirements of the ten largest car manufacturers to comply with the EU’s fleet limits for 2025. On average, manufacturers must increase their BEV share by a maximum of twelve percentage points, from 16% in 2023 to around 28% by 2025. […]
October 15, 2024
Amnesty International reports in a new report that car manufacturers BYD, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai score the worst on human rights in the production of their electric cars. According to the Human Rights Organization, mining potentially exposes communities to exploitation, health risks, and environmental damage caused by the rapid expansion of mines to extract metals such […]
October 15, 2024
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said on Monday at the Paris Motor Show that he is not ruling out future job cuts. “I am not ruling out anything,” Tavares told French radio station RTL when asked whether he intended to cut jobs. Tavares was in the French capital for the Paris Motor Show, which runs until […]
October 11, 2024
Antwerp has a new shared scooter provider. After Poppy and Lime, Bird was the third platform operational in the city, but the latter’s permit recently expired. The city started looking for a new provider and issued a license to the Swedish Voi. Voi was founded in Stockholm (Sweden) and pioneered e-scooters in Europe. The company […]
October 10, 2024
Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB must pay the state a fine of 416,666 euros. In 2023, NMBS/SNCB was insufficiently punctual, canceled too many trains, and experienced too many minutes of delays. The fine results from an alarming report that is part of the public service contract between the state and the NMBS/SNCB. If NMBS/SNCB does […]
October 09, 2024
According to a new online survey by VSV (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde), one out of five youngsters feels forced to answer calls or messages while driving. Using a cell phone while driving is legally prohibited unless the device is in a suitable holder. A new campaign and additional police checks should raise awareness about distractions in […]
October 08, 2024
The business newspaper L’Echo writes that there is a good chance that the measure requiring all new cabs in Brussels to be emission-free by January 1st, 2025, will be postponed for a year. The main reason would be that there are not enough charging stations in the Brussels Region, while the high price of new […]
October 08, 2024
Last Friday, the 27 EU member states voted on the Commission’s proposal to seriously increase the import tariffs on EVs produced in China. We already commented on this last week. Meanwhile, the Chinese have reacted, and the NGO T&E has commented interestingly. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has opposed the European Union’s additional tariffs on […]
October 07, 2024
The Brussels parliament has postponed for two years the tightening of the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) on January 1st, 2025. The Liberals, PS, Les Engagés, Team Fouad Ahidar, and Vlaams Belang voted in favor; the Greens and DéFi against, while Vooruit, N-VA, and CD&V abstained. Urban movement BRAL calculated that postponing the ban on the most […]
October 03, 2024
From October 1st, you can renew your driver’s license A and B via BelDrive, FPS Mobility’s online platform. The platform should simplify the process. The European Union has decided that everyone must apply for a new driver’s license by 2033. From then on, everyone must have a bank card-format driver’s license, which is valid for […]
October 03, 2024
The additional round of the Zero-Emission Trucks (AanZET) subsidy program for 2024 in the Netherlands was almost entirely allocated in just one day. Of the €22.2 million budget, €21.4 million was applied for, as companies feel the pressure with several Dutch cities introducing zero-emission zones in 2025. According to the Ministry, a new round of […]
October 01, 2024
The Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) reports that about 72% of Walloon motorists do not know how to correctly apply the ‘safety corridor’ rule or the emergency lane, even though it has been in the Belgian highway code for four years. The organization is launching an information campaign to remind road users of this principle. […]
October 01, 2024
A group of fifty companies and organizations from the automotive, clean tech, transport, and energy ecosystem that calls itself ‘Industry for 2035’ urges the European Union not to give in to the rising pressure from some car manufacturers and stay firm on car CO2 standards for 2026 and beyond, including the ICE ban from 2035. […]
September 30, 2024
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has won her battle: the planned 50 km/h speed limit will be introduced on part of the Paris ring road tomorrow and will apply everywhere there from October 10. New French Transport Minister François Durovray “regrets the decision, which will affect millions of Île-de-France residents.” But Durovray, who threatened to scrap […]
