March 27, 2020
On January 1st, 2020, Flanders counted 3 814 public charging stations for electric vehicles, of which 90 fast-chargers. Ghent is a forerunner with 296 public charging points. Antwerp and Mechelen have more than 100 public charging stations on their territory. Three municipalities Meanwhile, 297 of the 300 Flemish municipalities are equipped with at least one […]
March 26, 2020
Authorities worldwide have to make sure that essential cargo flights remain operational. According to the international organization of airline companies, IATA, cargo flights are essential to fight the coronavirus. The organization knows that several planes with vital means and devices on board were not allowed to take off due to ‘bureaucratic processes’. According to IATA, […]
March 25, 2020
The Dutch Ministry of Waterways and Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat, RWS) is proud to announce that 300 of the 4 000 new traffic signs along the Dutch highways already are ‘bio-based’. They’re no longer made of environmentally unfriendly aluminum. They’re produced out of a waste product of rice. Sustainability Since the recent introduction of the 100 […]
March 25, 2020
Since last week, bicycle stores are only allowed to do urgent reparations. Still, the sector hopes that the corona crisis will increase the popularity of the bike. Contamination Since the corona outbreak, the few people in the streets go on foot or use the bicycle for their necessary trips. Trains and buses are almost empty. […]
March 24, 2020
Flemish Minister of Mobility, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), has asked the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (Agentschap Maritieme Dienstverlening en Kust, AMDK) to summon a task force. This ‘Task Force Nautical Chain’, as the new working team is called, has to safeguard the supply chain of all Flemish harbors. It has to make sure […]
March 23, 2020
Apart from the hesitant reopening of plants in China, the entire car industry is heading for a ‘lockdown’ all over the world. We already gave several updates in the past, here is the latest update on the state of the world’s car industry at this moment. Europe In Europe, there were already a lot of […]
March 23, 2020
Mobility organization, Touring, wants to do its part in the corona crisis and is offering medical workers, police and emergency personnel free roadside assistance. “Medical staff is performing an act of heroism,” says Danny Smagghe of Touring. “We want to make sure that they get to work at any time. That is why we’ve decided […]
March 20, 2020
Irish bicycle start-up, Modmo, has announced the production of its first e-bike, the Saigon. Similar to competitors like the Belgian Cowboy bikes, Modmo’s creation is electric, app-driven, and sold online. Presales have started with delivery expected in September 2020. With the Saigon, Modmo claims to have designed ‘the bike that will replace your car for […]
March 20, 2020
Lime, the platform of shared e-scooters, is removing its popular vehicles from the streets. With this measure, the company hopes to help diking in the spreading of the coronavirus. The black and green scooters will disappear from the streets in several European and American cities until further notice. “We’re putting our services on hold to […]
March 19, 2020
If there is one positive thing about the coronavirus, it’s the effect on the environment. Air quality has improved in China, Italy, and even Belgium. Since the end of January, nitrogen dioxide levels in the air in China have decreased by 35%. Crystal clear water Same story in Italy, since the country was put in […]
March 17, 2020
On Tuesday, the Swiss scooter brand Qooder shows its electrically powered versions based on the existing range of two or three-wheeled scooters. The manufacturer responds to the needs of the commuter. The latter is looking for a zero-emission scooter that performs neatly and doesn’t shy away from a piece of ring road or highway. Electric […]
March 17, 2020
Where the Chinese car industry is slowly starting up again, the European car industry is rapidly closing down because of the coronavirus and supplying problems. At this moment, the ‘Southern’ manufacturers with a lot of factories in the south of Europe are closing down, but the rest is following at a rapid pace, everywhere else. […]
March 16, 2020
One of the charms of an electric car is the absence of (motor) sound. Nevertheless, manufacturers think that a lot of customers will miss them. So they pay composers to create new sounds for the car. “We can’t ignore the fact that if you want to distinguish yourself, you can’t do it with design alone, […]
March 16, 2020
The worldwide corona crisis forces companies to diversify. Since the breakout of the epidemic, the Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD – Build Your Dream – has started the production of mouth caps and disinfecting hand gels. According to news organization Reuters, the company produces five million mouth caps and 300 000 bottles of disinfecting gels […]
March 13, 2020
Co.Station, the shared workspace at the parvis of Saint-Gudule in Brussels, has just launched a mobility ecosystem called co.mobility. It aims to bring out “from October 2020, concrete mobility solutions, particularly in terms of smart applications and MaaS (Mobility as a Service), but also new services and infrastructures. The objective of developing an integrated mobility […]
March 13, 2020
BMW introduces an eDrive Zone application, which allows its plug-in hybrid cars to switch to electric mode automatically in the city. Drivers who play the game, win free minutes of electric recharging for their car. The company has chosen Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium to launch the application. In Belgium, seven ‘eDrive […]
March 12, 2020
Tesla is going to build the Cybertruck, and the American EV manufacturer is looking for a new location in Central USA. The latter was ‘tweeted’ by its CEO Elon Musk. Specialists are tipping Nashville, Tenessee as a possible winner. The Cybertruck will be the sixth Tesla model, and this electrically powered pickup will make a […]
March 12, 2020
With a very good start of the year, manufacturers foresee an increased share of electric cars for 2020. However, experts say that the beginning of the year isn’t relevant due to stock and registration manipulation. According to them, the second quarter will give better visibility of what’s to come. In France, sales of electric cars […]
March 11, 2020
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are increasingly installed in cars. They can help the driver, but they can get too intrusive for some and, above all, they’re expensive. Some manufacturers ask themselves if this isn’t a bridge too far, advancing too quickly. Today’s driver assistance systems are foreboding the autonomous car of tomorrow. But lane-keeping […]
March 11, 2020
Shared electric scooters pollute more than the modes of transport they replace. That’s the conclusion of a study led by researchers at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The reason is their insufficient life span, combined with the high impact of production. The scientists investigated the use of these electric two-wheelers in Brussels. A shared […]
March 11, 2020
In 2019, almost 40% more electric bikes were stolen in the Netherlands. This is, of course, a direct consequence of the booming sales. While those bikes are also more expensive, the financial damage rose even more. “We’ve lost millions of euros extra,” says Bert Gelling from ANWB, the biggest bike insurer. Last year, 420 000 […]
March 11, 2020
Q8, the company of the same name as the gas stations, has launched a new parking app. The app guides drivers to available parking places in the inner city of Antwerp. Thanks to the use of mobile data, the app can find a suitable location in real-time as close as possible to the driver’s destination. […]
March 10, 2020
Many car manufacturers are struggling. Lately, their reaction to the different threats differ. In this article, we talk with Maxime Picat, since 2016 EVP at PSA and Operational Director for Europe. Our rendezvous was scheduled for Geneva, but we finally talked on the phone. Of course, Maxime Picat couldn’t hide being exalted by the fact […]
March 10, 2020
Izivia is taking 77% of its Corri-Door highway public rapid charging network out of service due to safety issues with terminals’ casings. 189 out of 217 charging points will be shut down. Although Izivia didn’t count more than one charge every two days, charging requirements are expected to increase as France’s EV sales grew by […]
March 10, 2020
The growing concerns about the coronavirus are causing Kaskaesque scenes in aviation. Airline companies like KLM and EasyJet see themselves forced to fly with half-empty planes to secure their rights to fly. ‘Historic rights’ Anywhere in the world, airlines are confronted with unsold last-minute tickets, annulments, and passengers not showing up. Last week, International Air […]
March 10, 2020
The number of damaged speed cameras in Flanders has increased over the past few years. In 2016, there were 39 of them, and the number went up to 49 in 2017, 57 in 2018, and 68 in 2019. In 2019, 61 of the 68 damaged speed cameras were out of order. In 22 cases, the […]
March 09, 2020
The number of bicycle path kilometers has been decreasing over the years: in 2017, about 143 km of new bicycle paths were installed, in 2018, hardly 60 km. “Pitiful results,” concludes MP Annick Lambrecht (sp.a). “If we want to convince Flemish cyclists to use the bike more often, we have to guarantee safe and comfortable […]
March 09, 2020
At the canceled Geneva show, Renault was ready to show the Morphoz concept car. As the name suggests, the vehicle can change according to the needs of its passengers. It’s Renault’s vision on personal and shared mobility for 2025 and beyond. Morphoz sits on Renault’s future, a modular electric platform CMF-EV that will be used […]
March 06, 2020
Last year, 2019, was an excellent year for Belgian group D’Ieteren with a total increase in profit of 39,8%. That growth is being carried by an 86% profit increase for Belron, worldwide glass, and windscreen specialists. D’Ieteren hopes for a further 25% global increase for 2020. “All is green at Berlon, with a 10,1% sales […]
March 06, 2020
Due to a decision of the Constitutional Court, the two nuclear power plants – Doel 1 and 2 – might be closed earlier than expected. If there is no new law and no environmental impact assessment by the end of 2022, both power plants have to close down. As a consequence, there might be shortages […]
March 06, 2020
Due to being a star at the canceled Geneva Motor Show, Fiat launched last week in Milano, its third generation of the Fiat 500, the fully electric version being the highlight. FCA has mobilized opinion-makers like Leonardo di Caprio and illustrious brands like Armani, Bvlgari, and Kartell to support the launch. The first by showing […]
March 06, 2020
The international aviation federation, IATA, estimates that the coronavirus will cost the sector at least 63 billion dollars (56 billion euros). When the virus spreads further, this amount can go up to 100 billion euros. These figures only relate to passenger flights. Canceled flights A lot of airline companies try to compensate for the decreasing […]
March 06, 2020
On Thursday, Volvo inaugurated its brand new battery assembly plant in Ghent, the first for Volvo. Belgian Geert Bruyneel, responsible for Global Production Operations at Volvo, had traveled from Göteborg to comment on the important investment. “Sustainability is as important as safety at Volvo,” says Geert Bruyneel. “That’s why we are on this electrification journey. […]
March 05, 2020
The highest level of French Justice, the Court of Cassation, announced on Wednesday that Uber has a subordination relationship with its workers and, therefore, their self-employed status is judged as fictitious. The ride-hailing company isn’t forced to change any of its workers, new or older, statuses. “The self-employed status is due in particular to the […]
March 04, 2020
Almost ten years go, BMW was a pioneer in electromobility with two models, the i3 and i8. After years of silence, the first car of the new EV era will be launched in 2021. It’s a 3 Series-sized sedan aiming directly at competitors like a Tesla Model 3 or a Polestar 2. The small i3 […]
March 04, 2020
With Toyota-Lexus importer Louwman, the Chinese electric carmaker, Byton, has found a major Dutch importer for its SUV M-Byte. After MG’s electric SUV, this is the second Chinese car brand to come to Europe with affordable electric models. 45 000 euros Byton has a design center in Munich (Germany), and production and development facilities in […]
March 04, 2020
This year, the city of Mechelen will invest almost two million euros in shared cars, cargo bikes, and scooters. “We want to become the forerunner when it comes to shared mobility.” As of April, inhabitants of the city who turn in their license plate will be rewarded with a mobility budget. Mechelen already is one […]
March 04, 2020
The second full-electric VW in the ID. range, finally called ID.4, will be an SUV. The product version of the ID. Crozz show car will be launched in the second half of this year. This BEV will be sold in Europe, China, and the US. Just recently, VW CEO, Herbert Diess, announced that the popularity […]
March 03, 2020
Renault’s daughter, Dacia, released the first news of its Spring concept, meant to be shown in a world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The Dacia Spring Electric Showcar wants to be the cheapest EV on the market, available in 2021. In September 2019, former CEO Thierry Bolloré promised us the most affordable small electric […]
March 03, 2020
Managing Director at Espaces-Mobilité, Xavier Tackoen, wonders why shared mobility isn’t taking off, especially for cars. He points out that shared mobility is still a niche in spite of being seen as the Holy Grail that would save urban mobility. He points the finger to placement, information, and the lack of help from public authorities. […]
March 03, 2020
UCLouvain’s spin-off company, Xylowatt, announced it received an ‘Efficient Solutions’ award from the Solar Impulse Foundation for its Notar reactor. The machine uses wood residues to produce clean, renewable gas without coal tar or other residues. The Belgian company is working on optimizing renewable energy to limit fossil fuel use. “We received the award in […]
March 03, 2020
The decision to bring the maximum speed on the Dutch highways down to 100 km per hour will cost the state 19 million euros. That’s the estimation made by the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat, RWS). Earlier estimates expected an investment of about 7 million euros. The Dutch recently decided to reduce the […]
March 03, 2020
The first figures about the car market in 2020 indicate a hesitation in car sales, to be confirmed. Hybrid cars, on the contrary, are fighting back. Not so long ago, they were declared dead. Now, it becomes obvious that they probably will be the preferred link to electrification for a lot of people. In France, […]
March 02, 2020
The 60 members of the Car of the Year jury, coming from 23 European countries, have elected the new Peugeot 208 as The Car of the Year 2020. It won the title with a considerable lead on the Tesla Model 3 (2nd), and the Porsche Taycan (3rd), two full-electric cars that took too many points […]
February 28, 2020
On Thursday, PSA-daughter Citroën launched Ami, the production version of Ami One, a prototype it showed in Geneva last year. The manufacturer doesn’t like you to call it a car; it’s a ‘moving object able to transport two people in an urban environment’. At Citroën, they describe their Ami as ‘disruptive urban mobility’. It’s small; […]
February 28, 2020
The e-bicycle is the goose that lays the golden eggs for the Dutch cycling sector. In 2019 alone, a record number of 420 000 new e-bikes were sold in the Netherlands. In the meantime, pedal-assisted bikes represent 70% of the total sales in bicycle shops. Belgium is the European front runner when it comes to […]
February 28, 2020
The Dutch railway company, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), is going to provide shared cars in the train stations spread over the country. The cars will be blue and yellow, just like the shared bicycles NS already offers in many cities. This way, the vehicles will be recognizable as cars from NS. Today, NS is still busy […]
February 27, 2020
French car manufacturer Renault has announced that it will add a full-electric version to its smallest car range, Twingo. The Twingo Z.E. will have the city as its favorite playground. At last, Renault has decided for the obvious. Its recent Twingo shares practically all technology with the Smart Forfour. This Daimler product is already two […]
February 27, 2020
Does the Norwegian constitution allow drilling for oil in the Barents Sea? That is the question that Greenpeace Norway and the climate youngsters of ‘Natur og Ungdom’ (Nature and Youth) want to have answered by the Norwegian Supreme Court. That is why they’ve taken the matter to the highest jurisdictional authority of the country. They […]
February 27, 2020
The Japanese electronics concern, Panasonic, wants to bring its cooperation with electric car manufacturer Tesla to an end, some anonymous sources reported to the press agency, Bloomberg. Both companies already have a joint solar panel factory for two years now, but it still isn’t running on full capacity. Loss-making departments According to the sources, Panasonic […]
February 26, 2020
Volkswagen Group CEO, Herbert Diess, has caused a certain turmoil with his statement that shortly, SUVs will lose part of their popularity. The cause? Electrification. Last year, VW still thought that half of the cars sold would be SUVs in 2025; now, the big boss apparently sees a change. This is remarkable, given the fact […]
February 25, 2020
VW wants its own battery technology and strategy. That’s why it’s joining with Northvolt to build a giga-factory in northern Sweden and another one in German Salzgitter. In doing so, VW is showing it wants to be a free-rider in the battery competition. Car manufacturers are all aware of the importance of batteries. To be […]
February 25, 2020
The Dutch consultant KPMG had warned about this last week: black EV charging station Saturday. After all, people who are on winter sports with Tesla are suffering from a new kind of traffic jam, namely at the charging stations. On social media, films appear of long rows of Tesla cars at charging points of the […]
February 25, 2020
Zity will replace Moov’in as the Renault-backed free-floating car-sharing service in Paris. The French car manufacturer is changing its partner in the French capital and chooses the Spanish company Ferrovial to deploy its car-sharing service. Moov’in Paris, the electric car rental service set up in 2018 with the car rental company Ada, is, therefore, ceasing […]
February 25, 2020
The French PSA daughter, DS, manufacturer of cars with a certain ‘French chic’, launches DS 9, a ‘grand sedan’ reminiscing to the times of the original (Citroën) DS. In fact, it’s the successor of the beautiful but fairly unsuccessful Citroën C6. DS 9 is a real sedan, with three different volumes and strong, elongated lines. […]
February 24, 2020
Touring Club de Belgique, the national road assistance provider, is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Time to look ahead, the world is changing rapidly, and high business dependence on car ownership may be a hindrance in the future. Will Touring become a mobility club like its Flemish competitor VAB? Until today, road assistance is the core […]
February 24, 2020
Tesla has restarted the cutting of trees on a 92-hectare site where the first European plant of the electric car manufacturer will be built. Several environmental organizations had opposed the felling of trees, but the German judge swept away the objections. First European plant The American carmaker is in a hurry to get its colossal […]
February 21, 2020
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation announced the development of a Connected Shift System based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Both are the most important members of the South Korean-based Hyundai Motors group. The Connected Shift System can predict the oncoming road and traffic conditions and act on the shifting pattern of the […]
February 20, 2020
As a part of its ‘Destination Zero’ mission, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) showed Project Vector, a concept car that wants to integrate into smart city infrastructures of the future. Project Vector wants to be an advanced, flexible, multifunctional electric vehicle platform, ready to drive autonomously when needed. The idea is to be of service for […]
February 20, 2020
Ferdinand Dudenhöffer is a renowned car expert in Germany, director of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) of Duisburg University. He is a close follower of the car market (especially in Germany) and sees the diesel engine slowly fading away. The industry has admitted to this too. A lot of car manufacturers have severely reduced […]
