November 20, 2023
Industrial start-up Verkor officially laid the foundation for its cutting-edge Gigafactory in Dunkirk (France). The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, attended the inaugural ceremony. The facility aims to produce high-performance electric batteries, for which it received a substantial investment of 659 million euros approved by the European Commission. Verkor’s Gigafactory, slated for operation by […]
November 17, 2023
Amazon has announced its foray into the online vehicle sales arena, initiating a partnership with Hyundai, which is set to start in 2024. Customers will be able to browse and purchase Hyundai vehicles directly on Amazon.com. The service is restricted to the US for the time being. On the opening day of the LA Auto […]
November 17, 2023
Brupass and Brupass XL tickets are now also available digitally in the MIVB/STIB, NMBS/SNCB, and TEC apps, and from the beginning of 2024, also at De Lijn. They’re the first digital tickets that allow travelers to travel on the four public transport networks in Brussels and its outskirts. For MIVB/STIB, this is an additional novelty […]
November 17, 2023
ABB E-Mobility, part of the Swiss/Swedish ABB Group, has acquired the Swedish start-up Vourity. The latter’s cloud-based technology is designed to simplify payment at charging stations for electric cars with various payment options. ABB is also securing essential technical expertise with the take-over. The acquisition of Vourity enables ABB to integrate the payment terminal with […]
November 17, 2023
The premium electric car brand HiPhi from Chinese manufacturer Human Horizons has unveiled the HiPhi A, a 960 kW/1 287 hp four-door, four-seat electric hypercar. However, it will take some time from the premiere at the Guangzhou Auto Show to the start of production. According to the press release, the HiPhi A should be able […]
November 16, 2023
Opel has officially started taking orders in Belgium for the highly anticipated Astra Sports Tourer Electric, ahead of the Peugeot e-308 Electric. Its price is lower than a comparable version from the plug-in hybrid series. However, as the roomier cargo space, compared to the five-door, raises the bill by 2 000 euros, it overshoots the […]
November 16, 2023
ChargePoint is pushing the boundaries for fast charging in the US. It has inaugurated a cutting-edge platform, the Express Plus Power Link 2000, capable of delivering speeds up to 500 kW. Mercedes is the first customer under the umbrella of a previously announced collaboration for the rollout of a branded fast-charging network. It’s somewhat of […]
November 16, 2023
Porsche has dug up some €250 million for upgrading its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to build the next 718-generation, the fully electric 983-codenamed Boxster and Cayman. That will we done on the same assembly line as its current 982 siblings with a boxer engine or other two-door models like the classic 911. This will be […]
November 16, 2023
As a prequel to its Capital Market Day around Ampere, organized on Wednesday, November 15th, in the afternoon by the Renault Group, Renault’s electric arm is already uncovering its plans for the years to come. These include seven EVs on the market by 2031, one of them a small EV, called the Twingo ‘Legend’, to […]
November 15, 2023
Toyota has expanded its European commercial vehicle line-up with the Proace MAX, a derivative from Stellantis’ Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroën Jumper/Opel Movano quartet. It features six body configurations and up to 420 all-electric range. On the other side of the world, the Japanese manufacturer has revealed a HiAce passenger van with a hydrogen combustion engine. In […]
November 14, 2023
Travelers can now test and help improve new features of the Belgian public rail operator NMBS/SNCB’s app before the features are integrated into the official app. They can test those new functions via the app ‘NMBS Lab’. That application is like the official NMBS/SNCB app but without the ability to buy tickets. Users can already […]
November 10, 2023
As a convinced defender of road tolls to fight traffic congestion (and pollution), Stef Proost now suggests ‘peak hour rights” to cure the still-increasing daily congestion at peak hours on Belgian roads. Professor Emeritus Stef Proost (University of Louvain) is an economics professor who has become an expert on mobility problems and their economic and […]
November 10, 2023
Polestar, Volvo and Geely’s luxury electric vehicle subsidiary, has released its latest financial results and unveiled new strategic initiatives during the much-anticipated Polestar Day event in Santa Monica, California. Guess who’s building Polestar’s latest model, the 4? Polestar Day is a platform for the company to present its technology strategy and innovations to media, investors, […]
November 10, 2023
Denver-based start-up Solid Power announced it had shipped its first solid-state battery cell ‘A-samples’ to German carmaker BMW for formal automotive validation. BMW is to produce solid-state battery cells in its own pilot plant in Germany based on the design of technology partner Solid Power. A first prototype car with these batteries is expected by […]
November 09, 2023
Audi’s Györ plant in Hungary has kickstarted electric motor manufacturing for the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). These cutting-edge electric motors will debut in the Audi Q6 e-tron and, later on, in forthcoming new models like the A6 e-tron and A4, which will be battery-only, including future Porsche cars. Audi is in full pace to commence […]
November 08, 2023
Cars that are highly ‘self-driving’ will not be allowed to drive on Belgian roads for now. Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) remains interested in self-driving cars, but there is still too much uncertainty regarding safety. Among others, his Flemish colleague Lydia Peeters, the French-speaking liberals MR, and the mobility organization Touring are unsatisfied with the […]
November 07, 2023
French carmaker DS Automobiles has announced it would integrate the generative artificial intelligence model ChatGPT into its cars. The AI will enhance the brand’s DS Iris voice assistant, allowing a more conversational experience for the user. Currently, the integration of ChatGPT to DS Automobiles infotainment systems is still in its six-month pilot phase. During this […]
November 07, 2023
Swedish-Chinese EV manufacturer Polestar has signed an agreement with South Korean battery manufacturer SK On to supply battery packs for the upcoming Polestar 5 flagship model. The four-door GT is set to launch in 2025 with SK On’s ‘ultra-long’ nickel-based battery cells. The Polestar 5 is the upcoming Porsche Taycan rival from Geely and Volvo’s […]
November 07, 2023
According to sources quoted by the Reuters press agency, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has told employees at the Grünheide gigafactory near Berlin (Germany) that he plans to install a second production line, aside from that of the Model Y, to build the long-expected ‘affordable’ Tesla under €25 000. Tesla declined to comment, and the ‘source […]
November 06, 2023
Shane Chen, the inventor of the Hoverboard, a two-wheeled self-balancing scooter that became popular in the mid-2010s, has devised a similar solution for cars. A two-wheeled approach would simplify steering suspension and improve efficiency, according to Chen. But how does it work? It may look a bit silly, but the Shane – named after its […]
November 06, 2023
It’s a sign of the times. Besides the iron-strong profits of the third quarter, Ferrari’s results unveiled that 51% of sales have a plug-in hybrid driveline. It’s the first time in the brand’s history that electrification has outperformed gasoline-only versions. Ferrari further acknowledged that development work on its all-electric model is progressing ahead of schedule. […]
November 06, 2023
Quantron AG, a spin-off of Germany’s Haller Group, will help Ford Trucks on a fast track to put its F-Max trucks to be built in Turkey on a fuel cell hydrogen diet. Both parties signed a letter of intent to share Quantron’s know-how in energy management systems, e-axles, high-power batteries, fuel cells, and tank integration. […]
November 03, 2023
Volvo Cars is launching a new business unit for energy-related products and services. Under the umbrella of ‘Volvo Cars Energy Solutions’, the carmaker bundles technology and services for a comprehensive e-car ecosystem. At the start, there is a V2G pilot project in Gothenburg. ‘Volvo Cars Energy Solutions’ bundles technology and services for a comprehensive electric […]
November 03, 2023
Toyota Motor Corp. raised its full-year outlook Wednesday due to the windfall from a weaker yen, as it reported record earnings for the first half of the fiscal year (2023-2024) on solid post-pandemic vehicle sales in all major markets. At the same time, Toyota is switching the focus of its hydrogen fuel-cell technology development from passenger cars […]
November 02, 2023
Back in 1983, there was no shortage of visionary ideas at Honda as the company marketed a tiny but unique two-wheeler called the Motocompo, which grew into a cult object. It was a foldable scooter that the owner could fit in the trunk of his car and use for urban runabouts long before the ‘last […]
November 02, 2023
It made it into Time Magazine’s list of ‘Best Inventions of 2023’, the Moonwalkers ‘electric shoes’ of US startup Shift Robotics that enable you to walk almost three times faster than usual, up to 11,3 km/h without effort. It’s not gliding like on rollerskates, but actual walking with the speed assist – comparable to pedal […]
November 02, 2023
For 2023, the Japanese renamed their Tokyo Motor Show to the Japan Mobility Show. Strangely enough, we’ve never seen so many sports car concepts in a row for a long time. We had to go back almost twenty-five years to see such an abundance. It was in 1989, when the Tokyo Motor Show moved to […]
November 01, 2023
For a specific time already, Volkswagen’s software division Cariad has been behind schedule. The new solution for the problem is striking: instead of catching up with more staff, there is a threat of large-scale job cuts and further delays, says a media report. According to reports by the German publication Manager Magazin, new Cariad boss […]
October 31, 2023
In a new auction of the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM), the support mechanism to ensure electricity supply in Belgium from 2025, several new battery projects have received support. The temporary lifetime extension of the old Vilvoorde gas-fired power plant is also receiving support. All the 22 projects that participated will receive subsidies, reports system operator […]
October 31, 2023
French carmaker Renault and equipment manufacturer Valeo have come together to create the next-generation electric motor. Nicknamed E7A, this wound motor doesn’t require any rare earth in its construction. Thirty percent more compact than the unit currently powering the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the all-in-one E7A motor can produce up to 200 kW and is […]
October 30, 2023
Scientists from Chalmers University in Gothenburg have developed a breakthrough method for recycling used battery packs, not by complex and dangerous chemical additives but by activating a substance found in rhubarb, white beans, or paprika. The researchers have ties with Volvo and Northvolt. “Until now, no one has succeeded in finding the right formula for […]
October 30, 2023
Cruise, the robotaxi subsidiary of General Motors, has lost its permit to deploy its self-driving cars in California with immediate effect. The decision from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) follows after investigating a pedestrian accident. Waymo, the competitor to Cruises, can still operate paid driverless rides. To re-install public faith in self-driving technology, […]
October 30, 2023
Australian hydrogen vehicle start-up H2X has partnered with Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer KTM to develop lightweight body and chassis elements for H2X’s hydrogen fuel cell van. The ‘Origami’ modular chassis allows the H2X ‘Darling’ to have multiple body options. We first heard from H2X in October 2022, when it tried to homologate its […]
October 30, 2023
The Innoptus Solar Team of the Belgian University of Louvain has won the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge for the second time. On top of that, the team also won the innovation award for the rotating fin on the top of the solar vehicle. The ‘Infinite’ three-wheeler accomplished the race from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia […]
October 27, 2023
Stellantis has bought a stake of 20% in the Chinese start-up for electric vehicles Leapmotor. Beyond reinforcing its grip on the Chinese market, the car giant has also stepped into a joint venture for export to nearby Asian countries and Europe. The deal is worth 1,5 billion euros. The news was rumored already since summer. […]
October 27, 2023
British – but Indian Tata-owned – carmaker JLR Group (former Jaguar Land Rover) announced on Thursday it is going to prep its Defender plant in Nitra, Slovakia, like the factories of Halewood and Solihull to produce electric vehicles. JLR wants to launch nine new EVs by 2030 as part of the company’s Reimagine Strategy. In […]
October 27, 2023
BMW is now producing the first battery cell samples, which it will use in the New Class models from 2025. Production occurs at the manufacturer’s new Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf, Germany. Operations at BMW’s competence center for battery cell manufacturing east of Munich have been underway since May. The facility spans an […]
October 26, 2023
To boost profitability outside Europe, Renault announced the launch of eight new models by 2027. Spearheading the new strategy is the already unveiled Kardian, a compact urban crossover based on the platform of the Clio and the Sandero from its budget brand Dacia. After rewriting its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi, which divided the global […]
October 26, 2023
The ‘love affair’ between Japanese carmaker Honda and American General Motors for developing together a line of ‘affordable’ electric cars under $30 000 ends abruptly. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the automaker scraps the plans after a year-long evaluation proving a ‘changing business environment’ makes them unviable. “After extensive studies and analysis, we have come […]
October 25, 2023
According to reports in the media, the next generation of the Audi A4 will also be launched purely electrically from the end of 2025. The A4 e-tron should be available as a saloon and estate – with a similar orientation to the current combustion engine model, which will remain in the range for the time […]
October 25, 2023
At the Japan Mobility Show, Honda and Isuzu are showcasing their jointly developed longe range hydrogen truck, called ‘Giga Fuel Cell’, for the first time. It’s a low deck 8×4 rigid truck, 12 meters long and with 25 tons capacity for intercity transports with a range of up to 800 kilometers, on one tank filled […]
October 24, 2023
Japan has had something with hybrid cars for over twenty years, with Toyota being the world’s most prominent technology advocate. So it’s pretty surprising it took the Japanese motorcycle industry so long to produce the world’s first hybrid motorcycle, the Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid, which is to arrive in 2024. Kawasaki calls it a ‘strong […]
October 24, 2023
Volvo Cars opened its largest software test center in Gothenburg, Sweden. The site is also set to expand further, more than doubling its capacity over time. The center measures 22 000 m2. Volvo says it is “the new flagship in our network of development centers and tech hubs worldwide”. Volvo Cars also operates software test […]
October 23, 2023
As of 2025, Toyota will equip its battery-powered electric cars with the NACS charging port in the US. The news follows in the slipstream of BMW’s announced switch, putting increasingly more pressure on the remaining automakers sticking to CCS. The list of carmakers joining the standard introduced and used by Tesla keeps growing. After Rivian, […]
October 19, 2023
General Motors and Honda are deepening their collaboration. Through its subsidiary for robotaxis, Cruise, both partners will start offering commercial driverless taxi rides in Tokyo as of early 2026, the first of its kind on the island. The news comes at a moment when the American Association for Highway Safety (NHTSA) started investigating pedestrian accidents […]
October 19, 2023
BMW joins the list of automakers that will adopt the Tesla-developed NACS charging standard in the US and Canada. The technical switch is adopted cross-brand, so Mini and Rolls-Royce are also joining. The connector will be built in as from 2025. Over the past weeks, several automakers agreed to synchronize with the NACS standard in […]
October 18, 2023
It sits and feels like a Porsche, is utterly powerful, and blazing fast on the water, yet silent as a sailing boat, but it will cost you more than twice the price of the most expensive Taycan. We’re talking about the Frauscher x Porsche 850 eFantom Air that was presented at the beginning of this […]
October 18, 2023
Nissan is presenting three EV concept cars ahead of the Japan Mobility Show 2023, which will take place next week. Each concept is represented by a symbolic character to which they have been tailored. The Hyper Tourer is an electric minivan with striking styling and solid-state batteries, the Hyper Adventure is an electric off-roader outfitter […]
October 17, 2023
Belgian shipowners’ family Saverys puts its money where its mouth is in taking the forefront of greening the world’s tanker business. Exmar, a leading player in transporting liquefied gas products like LPG, butane, propane, and ammonia, has ordered the world’s first two gas tankers that can run on the ammonia they transport. Two 46 000 […]
October 17, 2023
Sweden´s largest energy storage system, made with reuse batteries with an output of 2.8 megawatts, was commissioned on Monday in Gothenburg. BatteryLoop, the subsidiary of Swedish Stena Recycling, specializing in connecting used EV batteries, used batteries from Mercedes-Benz EVs for its stationary energy storage system. The storage system is to power a new sustainable district […]
October 16, 2023
Japan’s number one car manufacturer will exhibit the two new Toyota concepts at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 (October 28th to November 5th) with a booth themed “Let’s Change the Future of Cars – Find Your Future.” In this first announcement of models to be exhibited at the booth, Toyota reveals some design details for […]
October 12, 2023
Chairman of the Vingroup, Pham Nhat Vuong, announced a present for his automotive brand VinFast. It was gifted the battery-making arm of the group, VinES, at no extra cost. This must leverage the group’s competitiveness in the wake of current market challenges. VinFast Auto is set to acquire 99,8% of the shares of VinES but […]
October 12, 2023
Following the introduction of VW’s new 210 kW (286 hp) electric motor on the ID.7, more and more MEB platform-based models are getting this more efficient and powerful drivetrain. The Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs are next in line, raising their driving range up to 556 km, while the price remains the same. More power […]
October 12, 2023
The Flemish entrepreneur Guido Dumarey has bought the ZF transmission plant near Lyon, which produces transmissions for buses and trucks and industrial vehicles, with a yearly turnover of € 110 million. The amount of the investment has not been disclosed. ZF Bouthéon employs more than 300 people and will now be called Dumarey Powerglide Bouthéon. […]
October 11, 2023
German battery start-up High-Performance Battery (HPB) claims to have reached a breakthrough in battery technology by lifting its solid-state technology to production readiness. It’s one of the biggest hurdles of these promising battery packs. While nothing technological seems to be holding back solid-state, ramping them up from laboratory prototypes to commercial level is particularly challenging. […]
October 11, 2023
Hydrogen gas (H2) can be used as fuel for cabs and other cars in Brussels without any problems. That is the conclusion reached by D’Ieteren’s Taxis Verts and Colruyt’s Virya Energy after a one-year pilot project involving more than 55 000 km of driving. According to the two initiators, the zero-emission technology could, in the […]
October 10, 2023
BYD has brought a whole fleet of new electric buses to Busworld in Brussels, which runs from 7 to 12 October. The highlights include a new B12 model with a Blade battery within the chassis and a BYD-UNVI DD13 double-decker bus. Chinese manufacturer BYD is not only present in the European car market, with models […]
October 10, 2023
Giant Chinese battery cell producer CALB has unveiled a new battery with an impressive estimated lifecycle at RE+ 2023, the energy solution exhibition in Las Vegas. Named 314Ah, referencing its capacity, the new cell can withstand 15 000 full charge cycles. According to CALB, it’s the equivalent of 25 years. Moreover, the Chinese battery expert […]
October 10, 2023
The Volkswagen Group’s new battery subsidiary PowerCo and the Belgian materials technology group Umicore have established a joint venture for cathode and pre-material production in Europe. The JV is called Ionway. From 2025, it will supply PowerCo’s European battery cell factories with key materials from the Ionway factory in Poland. By the decade’s end, the […]
October 09, 2023
Volvo Group and Renault Group have signed a binding agreement to create a joint venture with the goal of creating a new generation of electric vans. These will be built on a modular platform with 800 V batteries, with production expected to start in 2026. Logistics company CMA CGM is also planning to join the […]
