Rental and mobility company Leasys moves (softly) toward electrification

October 18, 2021

Leasys, a car rental and mobility branch within the Stellantis Group, has unveiled details about its electrification strategy for the near future. The starting point for the company is to turn their short-term rental fleet electric while pushing zero-emission mobility across its services along the line. The electrification will be a step-by-step process, financed by […]

Bpost to order 1 200 extra electric vans

October 05, 2021

Belgian bpost has ordered 400 new electric vans and will launch a tender by the end of this month for 800 more to be delivered before the end of 2022. The financial newspaper De Tijd broke the news on Saturday. Spokeswoman Veerle Van Mierlo told the newspaper the order is spread over different brands (Renault […]

Citroën presents autonomous ‘Skate’ concept

September 30, 2021

Under the name ‘Autonomous Mobility Vision’, French car manufacturer Citroën presents a concept of the future’s multifunctional and autonomous city vehicle. For this, it has created a partnership with Accor and JC Decaux, named Urban Collëctif. The common aim of the manufacturer, the hotel chain, and the giant of public billboarding is to optimize mobility […]

Bpost opens state-of-the-art e-fulfillment center in Willebroek

September 30, 2021

Active Ants, a subsidiary of the Belgian bpost group, has opened a brand-new e-fulfillment center in Willebroek. In this new state-of-the-art warehouse, people and robots are working together to pack thousands of parcels for webshops. The bpost group continues to grow (+3% compared to 2020) and, despite the record year 2020, e-commerce has not reached […]

TotalEnergies to install 11 000 fast-charging stations in China

September 29, 2021

TotalEnergies has launched a joint venture with China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) to roll out an electric vehicle charging network on Chinese soil. This will involve more than 11 000 fast-charging units providing 60 to 120 kW charging capacity. TotalEnergies is investing heavily in green mobility, as the group participates in all areas. Last week, […]

German-American ViaVan to provide customized transport in Flanders

September 13, 2021

The Flemish government had signed a contract with the private German-American company ViaVan to operate the Flemish mobility center. This center, a kind of umbrella taxi center or combi-mobility center for the whole of Flanders in the context of basic accessibility, must provide tailor-made transport in Flanders. It will replace some of the buses of […]

Brussels taxi sector ‘ready to hire 600 Uber drivers’

September 13, 2021

Waiting on the Brussels Region’ Taxi Plan, the sector has come up with its own proposals regarding the operating conditions of chauffeur-driven cars. According to the three associations, a distinction between the two jobs must be made clear, with taxis on one side and private chauffeurs such as those by embassies and VIP events on […]

Flanders wants to boost shared mobility in towns and cities

September 10, 2021

Flemish Minister of Home Affairs, Bart Somers (Open Vld), wants to encourage Flemish cities and municipalities to focus more on electric shared mobility. That is one of the conclusions of a study day together with, among others, the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) and Autodelen.net in Mechelen on Thursday. The target? 13 200 […]

Flanders: 220 proposals for 6 000 semi-public charging stations

September 10, 2021

The Flemish government has received 220 proposals following a project call for semi-public charging stations in the private domain. These represent about 6 000 normal charging points, 90 rapid chargers, and 270 ultra-rapid chargers. This was announced by the Minister for Mobility and Public Works concerned, Lydia Peeters (Open VLD). The call was launched in […]

MoveBrussels MaaS app ready by the end of 2022

September 09, 2021

Brussels public transport’s CEO, Brieux de Meeûs, has confirmed in an interview: the operator’s new Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app will be ready by the end of 2022. MoveBrussels will allow commuters to plan their itinerary, book tickets, e-scooters, or taxi journeys, and pay with their smartphone. The app has been undergoing tests since […]

ACEA: ’10 EU countries don’t have a charging point per 100km’

September 09, 2021

There is a serious lack of electric charging points all along the road networks in most EU member states. New data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) have been confirming this. The findings show that 10 countries do not even have one single charger for every 100 kilometers of key roads (includes motorways, state, […]

ALD Automotive invests in Belgian MaaS start-up Skipr

September 07, 2021

Born out of D’Ieteren‘s mobility start-up incubator Lab Box, Skipr sees ALD Automotive enter its capital with a 17% stake. Specialized in managing alternative mobility solutions for professionals, the Belgium start-up welcomes the arrival of one of the worldwide leaders in leasing and company car management. The initial focus will be on developing the Belgian […]

Free-floating operators diversify into retail and long-term renting

September 06, 2021

Hit by the pandemic and still searching for a profitable business model, free-floating services seek other revenue sources. American Bird is spreading its wings by selling some of its products in addition to renting them. French Zoov-Smoove is also diversifying by a new long-term bicycle renting solution at 69 euro per month. While they weren’t […]

Cleverpod launches smart electric micro delivery vehicle

September 02, 2021

The Italian-developed Cleverpod CP01 is a compact three-wheeler with an electric drive system and a 450-liter loading space, with a range of 330 to 390 km. Starting price is $5 500 (€4 640). Its main USP is its 5G connectivity and the batteries that can be easily detached and charged separately. According to the manufacturer, […]

‘UK should recruit native workers to solve lack of truck drivers’

August 30, 2021

British transport companies should better recruit British drivers to solve the lack of drivers in the country instead of drawing drivers from abroad. The British Ministry of Economics calls on British employers to invest in native staff. The United Kingdom suffers from a severe lack of drivers. Transport companies have difficulties with the distribution of […]

Renault presents ride-hailing Limo at IAA Münich

August 30, 2021

At the motor show in Münich, Renault’s mobility arm, Mobilize, will reveal its first product. It’s called the Limo, and it’s an all-electric, D-segment-sized sedan that will be made exclusively available through subscription. But whereas similar formulas, like Lynk&Co, aim at private customers, the Mobilize Limo should be regarded as a response to the ride-hailing […]

Porsche goes into two-wheelers with new brand Cyklaer

August 27, 2021

Porsche Digital is expanding its product portfolio together with bicycle manufacturer Storck. In addition, both will address new digital business models in urban mobility with their joint brand Cyklær. In addition, Porsche’s digital subsidiary is developing an e-bike together with Storck and with the help of component manufacturers Greyp and Fazua. The first Cyklaer The […]

LeasePlan’s Happy Charger Disk to encourage courtesy

August 24, 2021

Europe has the ambition to dispose of one public charging station per ten electric cars, but we’re far from that target, and EV drivers face waiting times to find a free charging station more often. That is why LeasePlan launches the Happy Charger Campaign, a kind of etiquette subscription to improve courtesy when charging. In […]

Lease bikes gain popularity too

August 18, 2021

Bicycles are gaining in popularity, and by now, almost half of all new bicycles sold are electrically assisted. Moreover, since e-bikes are increasingly used for commuting, it is fiscally interesting for many users to lease the bicycle instead of buying it privately. In 2020, almost 600 000 new bicycles were sold in Belgium, increasing by […]

ACM and Magna sign MoU on production of City One

August 18, 2021

Adaptive City Mobility GmbH  (ACM) is targeting mass production of the ACM City One in 2024. The Munich-based company and contract manufacturer Magna have signed a memorandum of understanding to sell 208 000 vehicles. ACM founder and CEO Paul Leibold plans to present the City One for the first time at the IAA trade fair, […]

IKEA introduces free ‘Pändelbuss’ to and from Antwerp

August 17, 2021

On Wednesday, IKEA will start a free shuttle bus service between Wilrijk and the Antwerp city center. ‘Pändelbuss’ is a test project collaborating with Autocars De Polder that will last at least three months. The Swedish conglomerate hopes this will attract more visitors and take car traffic off the road. The shuttle bus will stop […]

Alcomotive chooses Arval as leasing partner

August 10, 2021

Alcomotive, the distributor of the automotive brands belonging to the Belgian Alcopa group, chooses Arval as the sole partner for its leasing activities for its six brands in the six European countries it is active in. As a representative of (Asian) brands that are not very well established yet in the leasing/fleet business, Alcomotive was […]

German Finn.Auto buys 500 Aiways 5

August 10, 2021

The Munich-based car subscription provider Finn.Auto has just bought some 500 units of the Aiways U5, a Chinese-made electric SUV. The first 150 vehicles will be delivered to Finn.Auto over the next three months. Finn.Auto says it plans to offer the U5 on a flexible subscription basis with immediate effect. This should support sales for […]

Berg-Meeswijk ferry over river Meuse operational on 30 August

August 09, 2021

The restoration works of the car ferry connection between Meeswijk (Maasmechelen, Belgium) and Berg (Urmond, the Netherlands) have to be finalized by the end of August. Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) announced this on Friday. According to Minister Peeters, “the car ferry connection between Belgian and Dutch Limburg is too important for […]

NMBS/SNCB on the look-out for Fairtiq app testers

August 04, 2021

The Belgian national rail, NMBS/SNCB, is looking for 10 000 travelers to test a new app that automatically registers the traveled journey and charges the cheapest ticket. An idea of Swiss start-up Fairtiq. The ‘FTQ Lab’ sales system makes traveling by train easier: the app registers a user through the smartphone’s built-in GPS when approaching […]

Allego goes IPO via merger

July 30, 2021

Dutch charging infrastructure operator Allego has announced its IPO. Through a merger with Spartan Acquisition Corp., a listing on the New York Stock Exchange is planned for the fourth quarter of 2021. In the process, a carmaker (Fisker) will also join the company. Allego is choosing the path of a merger with an already listed […]

TotalEnergies takes over Blue Charge network in Singapore

July 29, 2021

France’s petrochemical company Total, recently renamed TotalEnergies, has scored an e-mobility deal in Singapore. Its compatriot Bolloré will hand over what it claims to be the largest EV charging network in the city-state, Blue Charge. TotalEenergies still has an image closely linked to oil and gas, but it’s very obvious it wants to expand as […]

VW and Europcar go for second marriage

July 29, 2021

Fifteen years after their peaceful separation, Volkswagen and Europcar have united again. The board of Europcar has approved Wednesday the €2,9 billion offer (inclusive debts) of a consortium led by Volkswagen. Volkswagen is the biggest partner in the bidding consortium, but there is also the British fund Attestor Limited and the Dutch Pon Group. Attestor […]

Tesla opens up superchargers and gives details about charging rates

July 28, 2021

Tesla will make its global network of superchargers accessible to non-Tesla drivers in the future. The American car and battery manufacturer has also just announced that the charging rates will be variable depending on how busy it is. At the most recent Tesla earnings call – where the results for the second quarter of 2021 […]

Clear Channel wins 10-year advertising contract for Belgian train stations

July 28, 2021

Clear Channel, the American advertising company, recently signed an agreement to exploit the advertising space in the Belgian train stations. With this 10-year contract, the company will become the national leader in the field of digital out-of-house ads. Clear Channel says it wants to support the national rail, NMBS/SNCB, and improve the traveler’s experience. Train […]

IDRO: Benelux facilitates cross-border electromobility

July 19, 2021

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg set up a joint venture to stimulate cross-border electric driving and charging. The Benelux IDRO, as the joint venture is called – the ID Registration Organization – will give service providers and charging operators in the Benelux ID codes to facilitate the billing. Employing these unique ID codes, operators and […]

Antwerp: taxis and shared vehicles now included on city route planner

July 08, 2021

The multimodal route planner for Antwerp’s urban mobility project ‘Smart Ways to Antwerp’ has been given a few extra applications. From now on, the website and app also show you taxis and various shared vehicles as possible means of transport to get to your destination. “As far as I know, we are the only one […]

Audi switches to agency model for sale of electric models

July 02, 2021

The agency model for sales of electric cars is becoming a rising star. Audi has confirmed that it will follow to adopt the model for its e-trons as of 2023, following in the footsteps of sister company Volkswagen that already went through this struggle with its dealers for the cars in its ID range. The […]

Car hire can be expensive this summer, if you can find one at all

July 02, 2021

Renting a car may be complicated this summer after months of pandemic pause, especially in most tourist areas. As a result, there is not only the risk that rental companies may be short of cars, but prices have also doubled or tripled in some European countries compared to other years. This trend in the agencies […]

BMW Group Belux donates 23 cars for technical education

July 01, 2021

The car world is on a tipping point with the energy transition and the autonomous car appearing in the (far?) future. But the technicians who are supposed to work on this new technology are also challenged. BMW Group Belux lends a hand by donating 23 BMW and Mini cars to technical schools. “Car technology is […]

MisterGreen expands to Denmark with 300 Teslas

June 24, 2021

The Dutch lease company, MisterGreen, specialized in leasing Tesla cars, is expanding its activities to Denmark. By doing so, the company will be the first pure electric lease company in Scandinavia. The target of Mistergreen is to realize more than 10% of the turnover of Tesla in Denmark within five years. It will increase its […]

Mobilize (Renault) presents future projects

June 18, 2021

Mobilize, Renault’s new mobility brand, has just presented its upcoming projects for the next few years. With Duo, Bento, and Hippo, the business unit is presenting, among other things, three fully electric shared mobility vehicles for transporting people and goods. Renault first mentioned Mobilize when it presented its ‘Renaulution’ strategy. The new business unit develops […]

Avere and EV Belgium continue together

June 16, 2021

EV Belgium is the new name of the cooperation between AVERE and EV Belgium. It now unites users of electric vehicles and companies that provide services within this growing sector. Both organizations join forces to make electric driving more attractive. Until now, there were two organizations in Belgium. On the one hand, there was AVERE, […]

BMW and Daimler sell their joint venture Park Now to Swedish EasyPark

June 02, 2021

The deal, which was already announced on the 9th of March, has now come to a full close and approved by relevant antitrust authorities. The exact amount of money involved in the transaction remains a matter of discretion, but BMW and Daimler have sold their joint venture Park Now to the Swedish EasyPark Group. Park […]

Charging infrastructure divides Flemish authorities

May 25, 2021

The recent decision in Belgium about the electrification of company cars has emphasized the problem of infrastructure. Charging infrastructure is a regional matter. The Flemish Minister of domestic governance, Bart Somers (Open VLD), has launched a facilitating plan, but not everyone is happy with it. Compared to certain other countries, e.g., the Netherlands, the charging […]

SkyCharge: mobile EV charging service in East Flanders

May 12, 2021

SkyTechnics, one of D’Ieteren’s major subcontractors for installing EDI charging stations based in Nazareth near Ghent, is launching a mobile EV-charging service under the brand name ‘SkyCharge’ to get stranded EV drivers with an empty battery back on the way. A SkyCharge van equipped with a mobile 9.6 kW AC charger can deliver a 1 […]