September 23, 2022
The Hopium Māchina, the French premium hydrogen sedan, is one step closer to production. CEO Olivier Lombard has announced that his company will construct a manufacturing facility in the North of France. Hopium has chosen Vernon, in the region of Douains, to erect its first plant. Once operational, the production lines will be capable of […]
September 23, 2022
With the launch of the G9, Chinese EV maker XPeng is trying to make up for a difficult year. The detailed specifications unveil a high-end SUV with a charging capability that dethrones the Porsche Taycan as the fastest in the world. In August, XPeng Motors showcased a new 480 kW ultra-fast supercharger so that, in […]
September 22, 2022
ElectricBrands, best known for their funky XBUS, brought three new vehicles to IAA Transportation in Hannover. The XBUS S, Evetta Cargo, and NITO C+S are all compact electric vehicles designed for business use but with a friendly touch. The German start-up ElectricBrands first came into the spotlight with two compact electric vehicles based on iconic […]
September 22, 2022
Who says a birthday cake can’t be spicy? Celebrating 50 years of its R5 icon, Renault pulls the veils of the R5 Turbo 3E, a commemorative concept car following in the footsteps of the iconic Turbo series. This all-electric sports version, limping between the real and virtual world, will be showcased to the public at […]
September 21, 2022
Maxus has expanded its European model range with three new electric models: the T90 pickup truck, the MIFA 9 minivan, and the 7,5-ton Electric Light Truck. With this expansion, the Chinese manufacturer enters both passenger and heavier commercial vehicle markets. Maxus, part of the Chinese conglomerate SAIC and imported by Astara Western Europe in Belgium, […]
September 21, 2022
Quantron has presented its QHM FCEV Heavy Truck at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, a MAN TGX-based hydrogen truck that boasts driving ranges of up to 1 500 km. That would make it the longest-range hydrogen truck on the market, with delivery expected in 2023. The Quantron QHM FCEV Heavy Truck uses two 120 kW […]
September 20, 2022
Bosch has developed an electric motor that can be used for vans and small trucks. By integrating the inverter into the motor housing, the powertrain becomes more compact but, above all, more efficient so that the autonomy of electric vehicles improves. The efficiency of electric vehicles is too often measured by the performance and storage […]
September 20, 2022
BMW has yet to officially confirm which models it will build on the all-electric New Class architecture, but a blogger in close contact with in-house sources leaked on an internet site that a 1 Series and 2 Series are in the making, together with an iX4. However, the enthusiast’s channel also says that the current […]
September 20, 2022
Iveco shows off its hydrogen and electric future for vans and trucks at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, thanks to partnerships with Hyundai and Nikola. Both the Daily light commercial vehicle and the Nikola Tre zero-emission truck will be available with either batteries or a hydrogen fuel cell. Back in March, Hyundai and Iveco announced […]
September 19, 2022
Daimler Truck has unveiled a ‘concept prototype version of the Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul at the IAA Transportation in Hannover. It previews the design of the long-haul electric truck, which will enter production in 2024 and boasts ranges of up to 800 km. The truck won the “2023 Truck Innovation Award” at the show, a prize […]
September 19, 2022
For two decades, enthusiasts of the kind have been waiting for it. The neo-retro concept (Microbus released in 2001) that was initially presented with a strong gasoline engine has finally reached its production stage, and even in 2022, the flag more than ever covers the load because neo stands for a 100% electric drive, while […]
September 16, 2022
An American Tesla-hacker called Green has unveiled that Tesla embeds special codes in its software related to the official crash tests conducted by safety organizations. It is not precisely confirmed what this special code accomplishes, but reportedly, it is related to the automatic driving functions, not the barrier tests themselves. The news broke when Green […]
September 16, 2022
A recent Greenpeace East Asia (GPEA) report ranking global car manufacturers on their environmental credentials has placed Toyota at the bottom of the list. According to the study, the Auto Environmental Guide 2022 discovered that fossil fuels still power 499 out of every 500 Toyota models sold worldwide. General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen performed best […]
September 15, 2022
In March, Opel showed the ElektroMOD study based on the classic Manta. From then on, there was much speculation about whether a derivative production model would follow. Today, the brand announces with the Blitz that GSe will become a sub-brand for the more dynamic electric models. Opel wants to push electrification in all segments so […]
September 15, 2022
“American manufacturing is back. Detroit is back. America’s back.” US president Joe Biden opened the floor of the Detroit Motor show during the press day with strong vigor. To promote his electrification strategy and support the manufacturing workers as part of his re-election program, Biden attended to get Detroit back on the map as one […]
September 15, 2022
MG Europe has officially ‘unveiled’ its newest electric car for Europe in 20 countries, the MG4 and opened the configurator on its EU website. But except for the UK prices released earlier, the rest of Europe will have to wait for an official announcement. The Belgian importer, former Alcopa Group and now Astara Western Europe […]
September 15, 2022
Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has unveiled its Urbino 18 articulated hydrogen bus, a second zero-emission model with a fuel cell, which complements the existing Urbino 12. It adds space for up to 140 passengers while keeping the same 350 km estimated range, thanks to the addition of three extra hydrogen tanks. The Solaris Urbino 18 […]
September 14, 2022
Honda has planned to thoroughly decarbonize its Motorcycle Business to the point that it should be carbon-neutral from 2040. Ten electrically powered two-wheelers will be launched worldwide in the next three years. Despite this electrification, the development of thermal engines will also go on. The Japanese manufacturer is serious about the electrification of its motorbikes, […]
September 14, 2022
Volvo Trucks is starting series production of the fully electric range of its popular heavy trucks, the Volvo FH, Volvo FM, and Volvo FMX, able to handle a total weight of 44 tons Gross Combination Weight (GCW). The production will start in the Tuve factory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and next year at the factory in […]
September 14, 2022
They already exist in plug-in hybrid versions, Peugeot’s 308 sedan and the 308 SW estate, but now the French carmaker is announcing the fully electric version of both for mid-2023. Peugeot says it will be the first BEV estate of a European manufacturer and promises ranges of +400 km (WLTP). The PHEV version today only […]
September 13, 2022
DAF Trucks has started deliveries of its zero-emission, battery-electric LF truck, aimed at use in urban areas. The first one goes to Dutch logistics service provider Nabuurs, delivering beer to hospitality establishments in Groningen for the AB InBev brewing company. AB InBev wants to reach a net zero carbon footprint in its supply chain globally […]
September 13, 2022
Renault is getting ready to sell electric vehicles in Latin America starting next year. The list comprises Megane E-Tech Electric, Kangoo E-Tech Electric, and Master E-Tech Electric coming to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. More countries will follow shortly. Meanwhile, it has already introduced the Kwid E-Tech Electric, the rest of the world’s version of […]
September 12, 2022
Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) has unveiled a new electric vehicle platform specifically for hypercars called EVR. It is designed for a peak power of 1 650 kW and enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km/hour in less than two seconds. Williams Advanced Engineering unveiled the architecture at the Cenex LCV (Low Carbon Vehicle Show) in […]
September 12, 2022
Thanks to the Bolt, Chevrolet has positioned itself as a pioneer in e-mobility. Now joining the line-up is the Equinox EV, a crossover debuting in the compact category with a price point that blushes the competition. With the Bolt, Silverado EV, and Blazer EV, Chevrolet already has several all-electric cars in its range. The Equinox […]
September 12, 2022
The motor show in Detroit, officially known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will now take place in September and is following a new concept. The media day is next Wednesday, on the 14th of September, and after some professional days, the show opens to the public from 17 to 25 September. Being […]
September 09, 2022
Jeep is finally getting serious about its EV strategy. The American SUV brand unveiled not one but three BEV models as part of an all-electric offensive that starts in 2023. The company says it will have four all-electric SUVs in its European and North-American showrooms two years later but remains tight-lipped about the fourth model. […]
September 09, 2022
BMW will introduce its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023. The German premium car manufacturer will replace raw materials of animal origin with innovative, bio-based materials for steering wheel surfaces, among others. The fully vegan interiors will be available for both BMW and MINI models as of 2023. BMW wants to increase sustainability […]
September 09, 2022
The BMW Group is set to launch a new era of e-mobility from models of its ‘Neumodels e Klasse’ using newly-developed round battery cells optimized for the new architecture. “The newly-developed sixth generation of our lithium-ion cells will bring a huge leap in technology that will increase energy density by more than 20%, improve charging […]
September 08, 2022
Austrian start-up Aviloo has developed a unique certified health check for batteries of second-hand EVs, measuring with 100% accuracy how much the battery has degraded from its new state. German ADAC and its Dutch peer ANWB, among others, are convinced of the quality and offer the Austrian test to their members. But you can access […]
September 07, 2022
The Dutch government participates in Lightyear. This is done through a consortium, Invest-NL, founded by the Dutch government. Lightyear raises capital of €81 million; it is not known precisely how significant the Invest-NL share is. Lightyear is a Dutch start-up established in 2016 and wants to build electric cars that can be charged through the […]
September 07, 2022
The Flemish axial flux electric motor developer Magnax has closed a new financing round of € 20 million. The money will be used to accelerate product development, enlarge the engineering team and expand support for customers and partners. “In the EV space, e-Motor technology is evolving rapidly,” says co-founder Daan Moreels. OEMsrecognizeg the very interesting […]
September 06, 2022
Nissan presented on Tuesday its all-new ‘electrified’ X-Trail, the fourth generation of its successful SUV, which sold seven million worldwide. And it inherited Nissan’s self-willed e-Power drivetrain it first introduced in the Note in Japan and later in the Qashqai in Europe. Available from November with prices ranging from €45 300 to €55 350. ‘Self-willed’ […]
September 06, 2022
British niche builder Ariel has jumped on the electric bandwagon. But, as can be expected from the brand that previously stupefied the automotive business with the mind-blowing Atom, it chooses an entirely different path once again. As a result, the Hipercar looks spectacularly awkward, and a gas turbine assists its battery pack as a range […]
September 05, 2022
In a YouTube video dubbed ‘Roaring in California’, Italian sports car brand Maserati has unveiled the GranTurismo Folgore alongside some preliminary specifications. Together with the pure electric Grecale, this 2+2-seater will kickstart Maserati’s electric offensive as of next year but will probably come sooner than the compact crossover. The final design of the Gran Turismo […]
September 02, 2022
Taiwanese electronics producer Foxconn, well-known for its collaboration with Apple, has unwrapped its first car. The Luxgen N7 is a seven-seater, all-electric crossover debuting on Asian markets in October. However, technical details remain sparse. Foxconn’s automotive branch is called Foxtron and showcased three concepts a year ago, featuring a crossover (Model C), a sedan (Model […]
September 02, 2022
There were few doubts Polestar’s electric roadster would appeal to many: the 500 limited edition versions of the Polestar 6 LA Concept are ‘sold out’ in less than a week. Later this year, reservations for the regular version will open. Finally, hostilities broke off after three years, and the way is cleared for Polestar in […]
August 31, 2022
With a new boss, Klaus Zellmer, taking the wheel in July, Czech VW-daughter Škoda molts old notions and gears up its (electric) vision: a new modern design language, a new logo, and what it calls ‘a comprehensive corporate identity update’. The Škoda Vision 7S concept presented Tuesday evening, a full electric seven-seater EV with a […]
August 31, 2022
Hyundai recorded 37 446 pre-orders for its new Ioniq 6 on the first day of the reservations in South Korea. This is significantly more than was the case with the Ioniq 5 on the first day of its pre-sales launch (23 760) and more than ever before in the manufacturer’s history. Hyundai presented the Ioniq […]
August 31, 2022
The French government seems to be persevering in its plans to subsidize electric vehicle leasing. Thanks to government support, all-electric vehicles could become available for as little as €100 per month. The news came up after a television appearance by Budget Minister Gabriel Attal. Such an EV leasing scheme would also follow an election promise […]
August 30, 2022
Scottish EV start-up Munro Vehicles has developed an electric all-terrain challenger for the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Class. The company has started taking pre-orders for its first offroader but is predominantly betting on the North-American market for its business model, where it has found a partner for deliveries as of next year. Scotland’s first […]
August 30, 2022
Smart having become half Chinese doesn’t put Brabus off getting its hands on the recently launched #1. The tuning company, which is traditionally affiliated with Mercedes and its sub-brands, has used some of its mojos to lift the compact cross-over to a new and sportier level. The upgrades on the outside are overtly visible, but […]
August 30, 2022
In light of the recent events and their impact on the energy market, we chatted with Grégoire de Pierpont, CEO of Enerdeal, an installer of solar energy systems at the industrial level. “Our company has existed since 2009 and is mainly active in Belgium and Luxembourg but also in Africa. We install medium to large […]
August 29, 2022
Ford is reopening US order banks on Tuesday for the Mustang Mach-E with updated prices and features. Ford had put an order freeze on all variants of the current model year of its all-electric Mustang Mach-E in the United States. Problems with the supply chain, the overwhelming demand, and the possible overheating of battery connections […]
August 29, 2022
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is launching three models on the European market this year, including in Belgium. NMN was allowed to drive them on a closed test track, so we can get a first impression of what these models have to offer. BYD is no unknown player in the automotive world. A few days ago, […]
August 29, 2022
Tesla added a base version of its Model Y (Standard Range) in Europe at starting prices of €49 990 (Belgium), way cheaper than the cheapest Model Y currently available in the US, presently listed at $65 990 (€66 352). Only the Long Range AWD version and the Model Y Performance are listed in the US. […]
August 29, 2022
Kia has started the final test program of the EV9. It has announced its world premiere for the first quarter of 2023. Test drives with camouflaged prototypes are currently taking place in Namyang, South Korea. Last year, at the LA motor show, Kia showed the first concept of the EV9; now, the production version is […]
August 26, 2022
Opel has announced that a van-sized camper based on the battery-electric Zafira-e Life will be launched next year. The ‘Crosscamp Flex’ presented at the Caravan Salon from 27 August to 4 September is still a prototype. The camper was built based on an Opel Zafira-e Life with a 75 kWh battery pack. Opel does not […]
August 26, 2022
Stern, the Dutch daughter of Hedin Mobility Group, will distribute and service the electric cars of Chinese Hongqi in the Netherlands, starting with the flagship SUV E-HS9 in Q4 of this year. Stern currently already offers Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Nissan, Ford, Volvo, Peugeot, Land Rover, Kia, and Opel in its 65 dealerships. Hongqi is the premium […]
August 25, 2022
The Mexican government has founded a state-owned company to extract and market lithium. According to a decree by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the raw material is to be produced and distributed exclusively by Litio para México (lithium for Mexico). The company aims to start operations in six months at the latest. According to the […]
August 24, 2022
During a three-day visit to Canada, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz has tried to realize as many deals as possible in the domains of raw materials and energy production with the North American country. In his wake, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz signed agreements with the Canadian government to secure access to crucial battery raw materials […]
August 24, 2022
Chinese BYD (Build Your Dreams) has big ambitions for Europe. It plans to launch three fully electric models (Han, Tang, and Atto3) in the European and Belgian markets before the end of the year. And BYD will be able to bring these models to consumers quickly because it builds not only cars but also batteries, […]
August 23, 2022
Noiselessly to your final resting place, leaving this world without a carbon footprint. It’s possible with an all-electric hearse, like a converted Tesla Model S or Mercedes e-Vito. Still, the most affordable is probably this Nissan Leaf Hearse converted by Wilcox Limousines. This leading British family coachbuilder, established in 1948, converted a standard 68 kW […]
August 22, 2022
At Monterey Car, Week Bentley removed the wraps from the Mulliner Batur. The two-door coupé gives some clues about Crewe’s design for its electric future. However, it’s nostalgia in a grand package under the hood, featuring the company’s most powerful edition of the W12 combustion engine. Luxury brand Bentley will become all-electric in 2030. This […]
August 22, 2022
While still struggling with pushing out only 6 000 to 7 000 cars this year of the forecasted 20 000 Lucid Air sedans for 2022 from its brand new factory, the American start-up is presenting the Sapphire. More muscle, more power, pushing beyond 200 mph (320 kph), the ‘future is faster,’ Lucid claims while forcing […]
August 22, 2022
During a presentation of its financial results, Chinese auto group Geely said it would raise its electrification ambitions. The company wants 50% of its sales to be electric next year. Geely, the parent company to Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co, and Lotus saw sales sliding back by 9% during the opening half of 2022. Covid-19 […]
August 19, 2022
The new VW ID.Buzz has popularity written all over its nose. Having opened the car configurator in May 2022, the German car manufacturer has already sold most of this year’s planned output. With already 1 000 orders, Belgium is growing a solid and dedicated fan base for the electric flower power van. It shouldn’t be […]
August 19, 2022
The Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) will again be canceled in February 2023. On Thursday, the organizers mentioned geopolitical and economic uncertainties as the main reason for many brands’ strong hesitation or complete refusal to participate. So instead, the organizers now focus on the first Doha edition and put all their hopes on a Geneva […]
August 18, 2022
Dodge starts offering a plug-in hybrid version of the Hornet in its home country. At the same time, it announced the lifecycle end of Charger and Challenger models with an all-electric concept hinting at how a zero-emission future will look like for the much-coveted genre of the muscle car. The plug-in version of the Hornet […]
August 17, 2022
Nothing is officially confirmed yet, but the rumors circulating for some time now are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that’s beginning to take shape: Hyundai is working on two small electric cars under €20 000 to replace the current i10 with a combustion engine in the A-(mini) segment. The intention to launch a small electric […]
August 17, 2022
The brand with the star will further expand its range of electric models. An SUV derivative of the recent EQE saloon will follow and be officially unveiled on 16 October 2022, but Mercedes-Benz is showing the first pictures of the interior of its EQE SUV as an appetizer. Like the EQE, this newcomer will be […]
