A fast-charger every 25 km on Flemish motorways by the end of 2025

May 24, 2024

By the end of next year, EV drivers will be able to access 130 (ultra) fast-charging points on Flemish motorways. Actually, there are already 95 of them available. “With this, the Flemish government will meet its target of installing every 25 km charging infrastructure along or close to motorways by the end of 2025,” says […]

Jeep upgrades Avenger with 4×4 driveline

May 23, 2024

Jeep expands the Avenger range with the 4xe, an all-wheel-drive version that benefits from hybrid propulsion. The brand aims to enlarge the success story of its smallest model by offering a version that sits closer to its heritage. Initially, the Jeep Avenger debuted as an electric vehicle (EV) in mid-2023 and was crowned Car of […]

Updated VW Golf 8 has two new PHEV variants

May 23, 2024

In some countries, Germany, for example, there is a renewed interest in plug-in hybrids. From its facelifted eight-generation Golf, Volkswagen now proposes two PHEV variants with electric ranges of up to 140 kilometers. In January, Volkswagen presented its facelifted Golf 8 to the public and announced a new PHEV generation simultaneously. VW first unveiled what […]

Bricklin 3EV: extravagant but affordable electric three-wheeler

May 22, 2024

The Bricklin 3EV is a new and extravagant vehicle sprouted from the mind of American businessman Malcolm Bricklin and his company Visionary Vehicles. It is a front-wheel-drive, three-wheeled electric car with body-on-frame construction and a mid-mounted battery. Malcolm Bricklin is mainly known for the SV-1, a strange gullwing-door coupé that has been dubbed one of […]

Hino and Hexagon Purus launch Tern electric truck brand for US

May 22, 2024

Japanese truck manufacturer Hino Trucks (Toyota) and Norwegian zero-emission powertrain and storage specialist Hexagon Purus have joined forces to create Tern, a new zero-emission truck brand aimed at the US market. Their first RC8 model was unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas. The Tern RC8 is a short-haul battery-electric truck that […]

DS brooding on new retro-style flagship?

May 21, 2024

Stellantis’ premium subsidiary, DS Automobiles, is considering launching a radically designed electric sedan with unique styling and excellent aerodynamics. As part of its efforts to further distance itself from and position itself above Citroën, DS is looking to launch a radical new electric sedan later this decade. Featuring retro styling inspired by the legendary Citroën […]

Renault/VW deal on small, affordable EV is on the ropes

May 21, 2024

According to insider information, VW and Renault have abandoned their talks about a possible cooperation for small electric cars. Around a month ago, there were already indications that the negotiations to jointly develop EVs at target prices of less than 20,000 euros were stagnating. Rumors persisted for months that the Franco-German cooperation on small cars […]

Callum Skye is now ready to order

May 21, 2024

The small but sporty EV off-roader designed by Ian Callum, the Callum Skye, is now ready to order. The Callum Skye is the first EV from Ian Callum, the iconic British car designer’s own design and engineering firm after he left Jaguar, where he was heading design for decades. The car will be revealed at […]

ABB unveils new, user-friendly 400 kW charging station

May 16, 2024

ABB E-Mobility has presented its new A400 HPC charging station. According to ABB, it is characterised by particularly high reliability and user-friendliness. It offers two connections with 200 kW continuous charging power each or up to 400 kW for a single vehicle. The new product is an alternative to ABB’s HPC charging stations from the […]

Renault Horse signs first deal with outside vehicle manufacturer

May 16, 2024

Horse, Renault’s department for the further development of internal combustion engines, will sell 2.0-liter turbodiesel engines to Habas, one of Turkey’s largest companies, for use in light-commercial vehicles. The company has signed its first major contract with an outside company with an agreement to provide turbodiesel engines to the Turkish conglomerate Habas. The Renault turbodiesel engine […]

NIO shows the world its first ‘affordable’ Onvo L60

May 16, 2024

On Wednesday, Chinese premium carmaker NIO officially showed the world its first model of a completely new ‘affordable’ line, the Onvo L60. It is directly targeted to compete in China with Toyota’s RAV4 and the Tesla Model Y for 219,900 yuan (€27,890), which is 30,000 yuan (€3,820) cheaper than the latter. According to NIO founder […]

BMW partners with Parkopedia on providing better public charging info

May 16, 2024

Parking service provider Parkopedia has expanded its partnership with BMW Group to provide EV drivers with additional EV Point of Interest data, enabling them to make more informed decisions about when and where to charge their vehicles. The new partnership is designed to provide EV drivers with photos and ratings for charging locations alongside Parkopedia-provided […]

Renault concentrates on public transportation for autonomous driving

May 15, 2024

Renault is adjusting its strategy toward autonomous vehicles. Regarding individual vehicles, Renault Group concentrates on the L2 or L2+ level for the moment. However, when it comes to public transportation, Renault Group sees the relevance of offering real autonomous vehicles. CTO Gilles Le Borgne said Renault Group would not aim for so-called SAE Level 3 […]

Kia spruces up its EV6 after three years

May 15, 2024

South Korean carmaker Kia has decided to spruce up its EV6 fully electric cross-over three years after its introduction. That car got the ‘Car of the Year 2022’ title, beating the Renault Mégane E-Tech and its sister brand Hyundai Ioniq 5. New ‘eyes’, a quieter and smoother ride, 19 km more range, and faster charging […]

Stellantis to sell Chinese Leapmotor in EU from September

May 15, 2024

The Stellantis Group and Chinese electric car manufacturer Leapmotor have finalized the establishment of their joint venture and announced that Leapmotor International would commence operations in Europe in September 2024. The market launch in Europe will initially start in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, and Romania. Both sides have announced that […]

China’s Avatr 07 extended-range EV to rival Tesla’s Model Y

May 14, 2024

Avatr, the joint venture between the Chinese state-owned manufacturer Changan and CATL, with Huawei as a major supplier, has unveiled its third model: the 07, a mid-size extended-range electric SUV. It follows the larger Avatr 11 SUV and Avatr 12 sedan and should rival the Tesla Model Y with a low price tag. With a […]

BYD launches Sea Lion 07 on upgraded e-Platform EVO 3.0

May 14, 2024

China’s biggest EV maker, BYD, has launched the Sea Lion 07, the first of a new Ocean-array SUV model product line. It is built on an upgraded e-Platform EVO 3.0, offering a ‘higher level of integration, stronger powertrain, and charging performance’. In China, the Sea Lion will cost 189,800 yuan (€24,220) and is targeted—once again—against […]

Mercedes changes electrification course

May 14, 2024

Mercedes-Benz is apparently putting the brakes on investment with a change of course. According to a media report, it is no longer developing its electric platform ‘MB.EA-Large’. From 2028, the Stuttgarters actually wanted to electrify the new generation of their largest saloons and SUVs based on this architecture. The German newspaper Handelsblatt cites four insiders […]

VW persist with EV plans for ID.1 and new Golf

May 13, 2024

The VW ID.1 could arrive as the final VW e-up! successor later this decade. Volkswagen has begun initial planning but faces challenges in bringing the new electric city car to the market. The slowdown in EV sales is not one of them. Meanwhile, after confirming the launch of an all-new Golf EV, Volkswagen has started […]

Hyundai to launch new Nexo in 2025

May 13, 2024

Despite slumping sales for hydrogen cars worldwide, Hyundai is set to introduce an all-new version of its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Nexo, by the second quarter of 2025. This is the first major update since the model’s debut in 2018. Introduced in early 2018, the Nexo has remained on the market without […]

New Lancia Ypsilon has arrived in the Belux

May 13, 2024

With Lancia’s comeback in the Benelux, Stellantis is introducing three premium brands. The new fully electric version (a mild hybrid follows later) can be ordered now in Belgium for € 34,500. According to Milosz Tomanek, the Vice President of premium brands at Stellantis Belux and the MD of Lancia, Lancia is the epitome of Italian […]

NIO celebrates 500,000th EV and preps sub-brand Onvo launch

May 10, 2024

Chinese automaker NIO has celebrated the 500,000th car, an ES8, rolling off the production lines of its F2 plant at NeoPark in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province. With that milestone, it confirms its position as China’s leading premium EV brand in the market for cars above 300,000 yuan (€38,500), the number one […]

Ford is modifying electrification strategy in Europe

May 10, 2024

Ford Europe is reportedly flirting with the idea of adjusting its electrification strategy in the region as BEV sales have been slow to take off. Originally, the European arm of Ford Motor Company said it would only sell battery-electric models by 2030, but that commitment could soon change. Ford Europe has followed the lead of […]

Volkswagen California is back with plug-in hybrid drive

May 09, 2024

Volkswagen has introduced the new T7 generation of its California campervan, based on the latest Multivan. It has grown in size and features several firsts for the model, including dual sliding doors and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Last year, Volkswagen presented a concept version of the new California at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, teasing the […]

Land Rover upgrades Defender to meet emission standards

May 09, 2024

Four years after its introduction, Land Rover has revised its iconic Defender. In addition to minor cosmetic tweaks and new packs, the drivelines have been reshuffled to comply with Euro 6e emission standards. The Defender’s facelift has been surrounded by rumors, such as the introduction of an all-electric version, which is not happening, and the […]

Nissan introduces electric long-wheelbase Townstar Evalia

May 08, 2024

The Nissan Townstar is the first of the Kangoo-Citan-Townstar trio to get a long-wheelbase version with up to 7 seats. The Townstar Evalia is available with either a gasoline engine or a fully electric drivetrain, which remains the same as in the short-wheelbase variant. Both the Renault Kangoo and the Mercedes Citan/T-Class/EQT announced a long […]

Is Fisker going under? (Update)

May 08, 2024

Dark clouds seem to be accumulating above Fisker’s future. Magna, the company contracted to build the Fisker Ocean in Austria, says in its Q1 2024 financial report that it assumes no more will be built. Fisker has been looking for opportunities to save itself for a while already. Now, the company hired to build its […]

Mercedes-Benz Trucks takes eActros 600 on 13,000-km test tour

May 07, 2024

This summer, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is taking its electric long-hauler eActros 600 on the manufacturer’s longest test run yet. The battery-electric truck will travel over 13,000 km through more than 20 European countries to gather real-world data and to send a message that electric long-haul transport is possible today. As Mercedes-Benz Trucks gears up for series […]

EX30 is pushing healthy Volvo sales

May 07, 2024

Volvo Cars reported global sales of 65,838 cars, up 27% compared to the same period last year. The sales increase was primarily driven by a strong performance in Europe as well as the company’s fully electric small SUV, the EX30. The company’s electrified models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, grew 53% compared […]

BMW also readies Mexican plant for its ‘Neue Klasse’

May 06, 2024

BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí is gearing up for production of the ‘Neue Klasse’. Construction of a local high-voltage battery assembly has now begun, along with expansion projects for the body shop, assembly, and logistics areas. A total of €800 million will be invested in expanding the Mexican production site. The ‘Neue Klasse’ will […]

XPeng G6 arrives in Europe

May 06, 2024

Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng is now accepting orders for its third model in Europe. The electric SUV G6 is initially available in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and it is cheaper than a Tesla Model Y. In Belgium, the Xpeng starts at €42,990 (190 kW, RWD, 435 km WLTP range), the same […]

Renault targets families with new ‘adaptable’ Symbioz seven-seater

May 06, 2024

Renault has completed its C-segment E-Tech Hybrid vehicle offerings of the Arkana and Austral with the new Symbioz, a 4.41 m long seven-seater with a sliding bench seat that adjusts for trunk space or leg room and folds to create a flat floor if needed. It’s a modern interpretation of the Renault 16, launched in […]

Boss says Opel is still working on electric Manta resurrection

May 02, 2024

Good news for nostalgics waiting for the ‘electric comeback’ of Opels’s 1970s icon, the Manta. Although Stellantis first said in January 2024 to ‘freeze’ the plans for a launch in 2025, now Opel brand boss Florian Huettl said in an interview with German car magazine Automobilwoche that the project ‘is making progress’. According to Huettl, […]

BYD presents Ocean M compact car in Beijing, probably also bound for EU

May 01, 2024

BYD presented its new Ocean M electric car concept at the Beijing Motor Show. The production version of the hatchback will launch on the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2024 at a price between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (some 19,300 to 25,800 euros). It is not yet known whether BYD will also bring […]

Hongqi launches convertible EV at Beijing Auto Show

April 30, 2024

Chinese luxury brand Hongqi brings out the big guns at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show with new models and concept cars. The brand is officially launching the EH7 Convertible, a new open-top version of the EH7 electric sedan launched a month ago. The sub-brand of Chinese FAW Group also showcased three concept cars. The E702 […]

BMW prepares China plants for its ‘Neue Klasse’

April 30, 2024

BMW will invest $2.8 billion in its plants in Shenyang, China, to prepare for the production of electric cars from its ‘Neue Klasse’ (New Class) model family. BMW and the province of Liaoning, where the BMW plants are located, have signed a letter of intent to this effect. More or less a year ago, BMW […]

Tesla Model 3 Performance makes a comeback

April 29, 2024

After a brief absence since the launch of the updated Tesla Model 3 Highland, the sporty Performance model is now back and better than ever, thanks to a new motor, improved aerodynamics, and better suspension. And the price is quite reasonable, too. The facelifted Tesla Model 3 range is now complete. After initially launching the […]

Mazda and Toyota launch EVs for the Chinese market

April 29, 2024

Japanese independent car manufacturer Mazda has shown its second full-electric vehicle, the EZ-6, at the motor show in Beijing. It was developed with partner Changan and is only intended for the Chinese market. The same goes for Toyota. The world’s number one car manufacturer presented two new BEV models for the Chinese market at Auto […]

Dieselgate: Continenal fined for 100 million euros

April 26, 2024

Automotive supplier Continental has agreed to a 100 million euro fine imposed by prosecutors for its involvement in the notorious dieselgate emissions scandal. The fine was due to a “negligent breach of supervisory duties”, meaning the company undertook too little to inspect responsibility and managers for the supply of engine control units and related software […]

BMW facelifts i4 and 4 Gran Coupé, i4 gets fourth drive variant

April 25, 2024

BMW presents a slightly revised version of the 4 Series Gran Coupé and its electric sister, the i4, at Auto China in Beijing. The i4 not only has fresh design accents but also an additional drive variant. The new drive system is the i4 xDrive40. Until now, the i4 has only been available as an […]

Volkswagen on the attack in China with ID. Code study

April 25, 2024

The motor show in Beijing starts today, but Volkswagen already set the tone for the trade fair yesterday at its Group Media Night. What VW CEO Oliver Blume and his board members presented on stage was akin to a declaration of war. In China, the largest global market for cars, it is not only the […]

New electric Aceman aims to be Mini’s bestseller

April 25, 2024

At the Beijing Motor Show, Mini unveiled the Aceman, a compact crossover that skillfully bridges the gap between the smaller hatchback and the larger Countryman. Built in China exclusively as an electric model, the Aceman marks a pivot in Mini’s design ethos. With a starting price of 36,500 euros, it is eligible for the Flemish […]

Electric Range Rover is coming

April 25, 2024

The first images of Range Rover’s fully electric SUV have been revealed, showing a modern take on the iconic SUV. Range Rover’s first electric SUV is being tested ahead of its upcoming debut. Can Range Rover’s new EV compete with competitors like Porsche and other luxury automakers? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) continues to see strong […]

Volvo Ghent shuts down temporarily to reshuffle production

April 24, 2024

Volvo Cars’ Ghent plant will temporarily lay off its workers for four days next week. The reason is not the lack of interest in electric cars but simply the need to adjust the production lines. The small electric SUV EX30 has to be slotted in. Meanwhile, the compact SUV has been awarded the Red Dot […]

Tesla’s profit drops 55% but confirms affordable models

April 24, 2024

Tesla is riding a rollercoaster. Its falling delivery numbers from the first three months of the year have slashed revenue in half, forcing workforce cuts around its global operations. To heal the wound, the company announced that it would produce affordable models at the beginning of next year, despite several previous reports claiming it was […]

Mercedes launches electric G-Class in Beijing

April 24, 2024

The German premium car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has revealed its electric version of the iconic G Class off-roader at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in China. It won’t be called the EQG but rather ominous the G580 with EQ technology. The all-new electric G-Class remains true to the model’s character, retaining its angular silhouette, including all […]

Smart shows Concept #5 in Beijing

April 23, 2024

The Smart Concept #5 is the brand’s most spacious and versatile vehicle to date. It will be presented to the public on 25 April at the opening of the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in China. The presentation of the series production model of the third vehicle in the smart product portfolio is planned for the […]

New Opel Grandland unveiled as BEV, PHEV and MHEV

April 23, 2024

Opel has presented its new flagship SUV: the next-generation Grandland. It shares its STLA Medium platform with the Peugeot E-3008, with the choice between fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid drivetrains, but it gets a more traditional shape and fancy lighting. The new Opel Grandland has been expected for some time, as it is […]

Chery to build cars in Spain (Update)

April 23, 2024

Chinese car manufacturer Chery wants to build cars in Spain, specifically in the former Nissan plant in Barcelona. It will be Chery’s first production facility in Europe. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sees the partnership between Chery and Ebro-EV Motors as a ‘symbol for the reindustrialization’ of Catalonia and Spain as a whole. This brings […]

Tesla lowers prices (again) to regain market share

April 22, 2024

After posting its worst quarter results in five years, Tesla is lowering its pricing in China, the US, and Europe to fight its way back in the sales charts. This is part of a series of measures to defy the declining market for battery-powered vehicles. Customers can now save around 2,000 euros on most models. […]

Mercedes’ updated Sustaineer collaborates with cargo bikes

April 22, 2024

The Mercedes concept van for sustainable logistics has been updated to enhance the efficiency of its battery pack. It also introduces an integrated solution for last-mile delivery, linking the van to cargo bikes from Onomotion. This aims to reduce waiting times and relieve traffic infrastructure. Mercedes-Benz Vans debuted the Sustaineer in 2022 to showcase sustainability […]

German court might force Volkswagen to drop ID. badge

April 19, 2024

The claims over unjustified name use on car models come in waves. The latest in the line is Volkswagen, which faces a court case from a former supplier over its ID badge. Identytec, a logistics hardware and software provider, is appealing to the court. For over 15 years, the company has used the abbreviation of […]

Ghent police tests 112 interventions with Volkswagen ID.4

April 19, 2024

The police zone of Ghent has started testing the feasibility of electric drivelines for intervention vehicles. As of today, one anonymous and one striped Volkswagen ID.4 are patrolling the streets of the city, not only to monitor safety but also to gather feedback on operational viability. ‘Politiezone Gent Conceptcar EPV’ reads a sticker on the […]

CX-80 is Mazda’s new flagship in Europe

April 19, 2024

Yesterday, Mazda launched its CX-80 in Europe. This seven-seater is the second of two new models for Europe from the company’s Large Product group, after the CX-60. It is the most spacious car in Mazda’s European portfolio and will be the company’s new flagship on the old continent. “In this latest evolution of Mazda’s unique […]

New Citroën C3 Aircross also as a hybrid and BEV

April 18, 2024

Citroën unveils the first images of the all-new C3 Aircross, which shares the same design identity as the C3 hatchback and ambitions to shake up the market with a very competitive pricing positioning. Both models are based on the same Smart Car platform, allowing powertrain flexibility and cost efficiency, Citroën claims. The new C3 Aircross […]

Belgian lease car users see Chinese market share grow

April 18, 2024

78% of the Belgian users who drive a company car via the leasing company ALD Automotive/Leaseplan are convinced that the Chinese car manufacturers will have a growing share of the Belgian car market in the future. GfK surveyed 2,211 lease car users at the request of car leaser ALD Automotive/Leaseplan. The respondents were questioned about […]

Swedish dealer holding Hedin to import XPeng in Belux

April 17, 2024

The Swedish dealer holding Hedin, which has been active in Belux since 2018, will start to import the Chinese brand XPeng. The first units of the momentarily available P7 sedan and the large G9 SUV should be delivered before the end of summer. The prices in Belgium aren’t known yet, but normally, they will be […]

Maserati GranCabrio Folgore takes open-top EVs to the next level

April 17, 2024

Whereas most electric convertibles on the market today are compact city cars with modest performance, the Maserati GranCabrio turns up the dial to 11 thanks to its three-motor drivetrain with over 800 horsepower on tap. And there’s still space for four people, too. The arrival of the all-electric Maserati GranCabrio Folgore is not a surprise. […]

Denza Z9 GT also comes to Europe

April 17, 2024

Chinese car brand Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, recently revealed the first glimpse of a new model. The registration application in China has now provided unveiled images and initial information, such as the model’s name. It is mandatory to be included in the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) vehicle […]

Renault Espace to become an MPV again?

April 16, 2024

Renault seems to be considering a purely electric edition of the Espace. The car would be an MPV again, like the original one, and it would also have a retro look like some of the manufacturer’s new EV products lately. Renault could offer a competitor to the VW ID.Buzz and others with an electric, seven-seater […]

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.