March 30, 2022
On Tuesday, French automotive equipment manufacturer Plastic Omnium announced its ambition to get into battery production. The industrial group specialized in automotive body parts – and, more recently, hydrogen – is in exclusive negotiations to purchase Actia’s Power division to design and manufacture onboard batteries. The French group has also purchased an equity stake in […]
March 30, 2022
Theion, a global battery manufacturing start-up of lithium-sulfur cathode technology, announced the upcoming commercial availability of its Crystal Battery for applications, beginning with the aerospace sector. At the same time, it mentioned the appointment of Dr. Ulrich Ehmes as CEO. Dr. Ehmes has a long track record of industrializing battery production at companies like Swiss-listed […]
March 30, 2022
In its ongoing transformation into a global performance car brand, Lotus has launched its first product, which is considered a milestone for the company. “The all-new and all-electric Lotus Eletre is a striking and progressive Hyper-SUV – the first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs,” says the press release. “It takes the core […]
March 29, 2022
Chinese CATL, the biggest battery manufacturer in the world, has announced that it will launch a new generation of its cell-to-pack battery (CTP), internally called Kirin. The company says it is ready for mass production and that its battery outperforms by 13% Tesla’s next-generation pack with 4 860 cells. The news was ushered out at […]
March 29, 2022
Data from thousands of Dutch Mercedes drivers will be used to gather information on the status of roads and help to identify hazardous traffic spots. Mercedes has won a two-year contract with the Ministery of Transport and Public Works, making the info from its cars on the road readily available for the authorities and subcontractors. […]
March 29, 2022
Two Belgian bike manufacturers, Ellio and Ahooga, are joining forces. The first is a small start-up from Louvain producing a two-wheel-drive speed-pedelec; the second is a more extensive and somewhat older Brussels (Uccle) start-up building electric city bikes. Today, they’re launching a joint project, a speed-pedelec from Ellio with the hipster design touch from Ahooga. […]
March 24, 2022
Several demo cars of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen are traveling around Europe to gather support (financial and other) from all kinds of instances. BMW sees FCEVs as an exciting alternative for BEVs in the far future, and this move illustrates BMW’s belief in the technical solution. Last week, we talked with Jürgen Guldner, Vice President […]
March 23, 2022
The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR) has developed a ‘groundbreaking’ new concept of a lightweight plug-in fuel cell vehicle combining a 48 kWh rechargeable battery and a 45 kW fuel cell to offer a 1 000 km range. New letter words to learn: PFCV, PFCEV, PHFCEV? The Interurban Vehicle (IUV) […]
March 22, 2022
On Monday, automotive group Volkswagen unveiled an agreement with Chinese partners to secure battery production in Asia. Together with Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan group, the German giant will create two joint ventures to strengthen its position. The first one will be specialized cobalt and nickel production, while the second one will be in raw material […]
March 18, 2022
By 2026, more than 600 of the 700 traffic lights installed along the regional road network in Wallonia will become smart traffic lights. The intervention should ensure that buses are given priority at intersections and that traffic flows more smoothly. On Thursday, the Walloon Government approved a contract to modernize traffic lights, announced Walloon Mobility […]
March 18, 2022
Trucks that draw their electricity from overhead wires on the highway are a way to make road freight transport independent of fossil fuels. Interim results of a study by the Flemish Institute for Logistics (VIL) show that trucks under electric catenary are a “feasible and profitable climate solution”. Every euro invested in this climate solution […]
March 17, 2022
Volvo has agreed with coffee chain Starbucks and supplier of charging infrastructure Chargepoint to install 60 high-speed stations at 15 locations from the American beverages company. Constructions begin this summer. The joint project aims to cover a 1 350-mile route from Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle to Denver, with high-speed charging stations available every 100 miles. […]
March 17, 2022
Audi took the wraps from the A6 Avant e-tron concept as a prelude to its annual media conference. The station wagon is the second concept hinting at Audi’s electric future in the mid-size executive class, sharing most of its technology with the A6 Sportback e-tron unveiled in Shanghai last year. The message? Audi is not […]
March 16, 2022
Hyvia, the joint venture of Renault with American fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power, has started serial production of fuel cells in its factory in Flins, Yvelines in France. The Flins factory near Paris will produce some 1 000 fuel cell systems annually. With the 50/50 joint venture, Renault and Plug Power want to capture a […]
March 16, 2022
British Enso is the first tire manufacturer to receive a B-Corp certification, a much sought-after approval by companies who want to develop in a more sustainable way. In this case, tires are especially suited for EVs with lower fine particles output and promising longer ranges. Enso claims that regular tires aren’t optimized for electric vehicles […]
March 16, 2022
Mercedes has opened its order book for the EQE, the electric equivalent of the E-Class that rests on the new EVA platform that it shares with the larger EQS. The EQE 350+ can be bought on the German market from €70 626 and should be at the dealerships by the end of April. At the […]
March 16, 2022
“The profitability of EVs, a source of anxiety among car manufacturers for long, will be comparable to that of ICE cars sooner than expected,” said Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz in an online press meeting on Tuesday. The Volkswagen Group benefits from increasing economies of scale and is “optimistic about attaining the same profit margins earlier […]
March 14, 2022
ElectricBrands AG, the German manufacturer of a kind of modular EV minibus called XBUS, is a new player entering the Belgian market in 2023. The compact and electrically powered four-wheeler is available as a passenger car, van, camping car, and is affordable at a starting price of €17 672. Importer for the Benelux is Dutch […]
March 11, 2022
When traveling to Mazda’s EU headquarters in Frankfurt for the CX-60 reveal, we talked with Joachim Kunz, Senior Management Development & Engineering, and Jo Stenuit, Design Director. They’re both impregnated by the need for Mazda to stay Japanese and to offer an alternative to classic premium. In a multi-solution approach. “At Mazda, we’re bound to […]
March 10, 2022
Michael Fux has just received his Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. This is the first example to go to the US. The manufacturer came to life again in 2019, when it showed a prototype of the Carmen at the Geneva Motor Show. Now, the first car, a special version of the Carmen, has been delivered. The […]
March 10, 2022
The all-electric spiritual successor to the iconic T1 Bulli doesn’t fail to wow. With intelligent safety systems, bidirectional charging, a spacious interior, and good fast-charging, the ID.Buzz will shake things up in a class still modestly waking up to electrification. Deliveries of the ID.Buzz are only scheduled for autumn, but Volkswagen already removed the blindfolds […]
March 09, 2022
This autumn, Renault will launch the Austral. This SUV will hit showrooms in autumn by sharing styling elements with the recently launched Mégane E-TECH. In addition, it will be launched with three different hybrid powertrains. This successor to the Kadjar, like its predecessor, shares its platform with the Nissan Qashqai. It should be noted, however, […]
March 08, 2022
Aston Martin has started a development partnership with Britishvolt on electric car batteries. The aim is to maximize the performance of special cylindrical high-performance cells developed by Britishvolt in Aston Martin’s electric cars and industrialize modules, packs, and even battery management systems. Britishvolt does not disclose the financial scope of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) […]
March 07, 2022
Volvo is today showcasing a wireless charging solution for its electrically powered vehicles. In addition, a small fleet of Volvo XC40 electric taxis will use a wireless charging solution using induction technology in their car parks in Gothenburg, Sweden. To be clear, Volvo will not be offering a wireless charging solution for production models tomorrow […]
March 07, 2022
Volkswagen has announced that it is realigning the focus and working methods of Technical Development (TD) to shift towards electromobility and digitalization. According to Chief Development Officer Thomas Ulbrich, this will also have a massive impact on future electric cars such as the Trinity. Ulbrich’s motto for the R&D department he heads is now ‘software […]
March 07, 2022
After Airbus in Europe took the lead on developing airplanes burning hydrogen instead of kerosene, American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is also looking into hydrogen-fueled propulsion technology for commercial aviation. End of February, it got a $3,8 million grant from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to develop these engines. The HySIITE project will […]
March 07, 2022
Japanese companies Honda and Sony plan a ‘strategic alliance’ to develop and sell electric cars. The partners aim to launch a joint venture this year, with sales of the first electric model planned for 2025. The two Japanese companies have stated that the new company will develop and sell “battery electric vehicles with a high […]
March 04, 2022
The two most important members of the Hyundai Group, Hyundai and Kia, have (separately) presented their strategic roadmap for 2030. In total, they want to sell more than 3 million BEVs by that year. To achieve the higher sales targets, further development of the electric vehicle platform E-GMP, which relies on batteries with higher energy […]
March 03, 2022
After a number of its four-cylinder diesel engines getting an XTL (X-to-liquid) sticker on their fuel hatch in 2021, Audi has certified its V6 diesel engines up to 210 kW (286 pk) for using sustainable HVO fuel. But actually, nothing has changed technically, as most modern diesel engines can run this renewable fuel. HVO stands […]
March 03, 2022
Polestar, the Chinese EV car manufacturer and part of Geely Auto, has revealed a new concept car that redefines sports roadsters for the electric age. Named Polestar O2, the hard-top convertible is Polestar’s vision of “open-top performance and a thrilling driving experience – with all the benefits of electric mobility”. And this Polestar O2 gets […]
March 02, 2022
With the symbolic presentation of the first fully electric Jeep to hit the markets next year, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has paved the way for the group to sell only 100% electric passenger cars in Europe by 2030. We may expect a fleet of 75 different BEV models, and he hopes to sell five million […]
March 01, 2022
Together with its commercial vehicle subsidiary Hino and partner Isuzu, Toyota plans the development of a hydrogen bus model using the fuel cell stack from the Mirai. The three companies have agreed to begin studying and planning this zero-emission route bus, which, according to Toyota, has its part to play in the conversion of Japan […]
March 01, 2022
Daimler Trucks has delivered its first seral-produced eActros trucks to clients in Germany. DB Schenker, a division of German rail operator Deutsche Bahn that focuses on logistics, got the first one in Leipzig. Logistics service provider Dachser in Stuttgart also got the keys to an eActros 300. Both were part of the initial test program. […]
February 28, 2022
Last year, Harley-Davidson’s electric sub-brand Livewire sold around 400 units. Humble beginnings. But according to the brand’s latest statement, these numbers will rise dramatically over the coming years. 2026 should bring a watershed moment for Livewire with sales reaching 100 000 units annually. Expectations are that those numbers will grow to almost 190 000 in […]
February 28, 2022
The Swedish battery start-up, Northvolt, steps up its plans to become Europe’s leading manufacturer of battery cells and packs. In Borlänge, the company has signed a letter of intent to acquire the Kvarnsteden site from paper manufacturer Stora Enso. Northvolt will convert the plant to make cathode materials for battery production and manufacture cells. Northvolt […]
February 23, 2022
Belgian household services provider Ekoservices has just added 15 Citroën Amis to its fleet of company cars. The service provider is making a statement because, as a local assistance supplier, a small electric vehicle with a maximum speed of 45 km/hour is a remarkable choice. At Citroën, they describe their Ami as ‘disruptive urban mobility’. […]
February 23, 2022
BMW might have gathered its fame on the back of driving pleasure, with its first all-electric limousine i7 in the pipeline, and a paradigm shift toward an immersive interior experience in the automotive industry, the company is putting a larger accent on well-being on board. Planned for launch later this year, the i7 is undergoing […]
February 22, 2022
It is one of the most eagerly anticipated EVs of this year. In the wake of its full unveiling next month, Volkswagen has released some specific details on the ID.Buzz, the 100% electric resurrection of its iconic hippie bus or Bulli. The final prototypes are touring in camouflage print across Europe at this moment. However, […]
February 21, 2022
One of America’s most iconic cars, the gull-winged Delorean DMC-12, whose career was short-lived, but gained immortality with Micheal J. Fox in Back to the Future, is coming back as a fully electric car. A group of Texas entrepreneurs around Stephen Wynne who acquired the rights to the brand in the nineties is ready to […]
February 21, 2022
Jeep is launching the fifth generation of the Grand Cherokee 4xe on the European market once again. This new Grand Cherokee was launched in the USA at the beginning of this year and will also make its debut in Europe before spring. Gasoline-guzzling V6 and V8 engines remain in the US for the time being, […]
February 18, 2022
Sales of electric vehicles, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrids, rose by 109% last year, according to research by analyst company Canalys. Demand for electric cars is gaining strong momentum globally, but the growth of more than 109% shows a very different face from one region to the other. Where electric vehicles represent 15% of the […]
February 18, 2022
At the Kyndryl data center – a spin-off of IBM’s data infrastructure branch – in Bastogne, the ‘largest active battery’ of the Benelux has delivered already 16 000 megawatt-hours of backup energy since the startup in December to Belgian high voltage grid manager Elia. Grid managers like Elia continuously monitor the grid to keep supply […]
February 18, 2022
For its Polestar 5, the Geely-daughter and exclusive manufacturer of EVs will use a new chassis made of bonded aluminum in the Polestar 5 announced for 2024. The Swedish brand hopes to avoid the previous disadvantages with a specially developed manufacturing process. Bonded aluminum has a lot of advantages, the most important being lightweight and […]
February 17, 2022
Renault launches the all-electric Megane today, but in fact, it is an entirely new model that has nothing to do with the existing Mégane that has been in the showrooms for about five years now. The Megane E-TECH ELECTRIC is entitled to a brand new platform and benefits from ten years of EV experience that […]
February 17, 2022
The East Flemish concrete producer De Bonte will mass-produce green cross ties – green in both senses of the word – made from sulfur concrete. Sulfur is a waste product of the chemical industry. The result is a solid and environmentally friendly construction material. On Wednesday, the company officially inaugurated a new production line in […]
February 15, 2022
Ahead of the Superbowl, AB InBev’s daughter Anheuser-Busch has set up a showcase of delivering its first-ever zero-carb Bud beer to pubs and restaurants in Los Angeles with a zero-emission Nikola Tre fuel cell semi and BYD electric trucks. The Nikola truck powered by hydrogen picked up a load of beer from the Van Nuys’ […]
February 14, 2022
On Friday evening, a VW ID.3 caught fire in an underground parking in the center of Brussels. The firefighters managed to contain and extinguish the fire. Nobody got hurt. It turns out not to be the first case with an ID.3 in Europe, and Volkswagen is investigating. It’s not clear whether the Belgian wreck will […]
February 14, 2022
Mercedes has unveiled a new type of wall box in its portfolio that will come to market as of April. It’s a connected device so that users can command it through their smartphone while it can also be updated over the air. In a bid to make the charging experience at home more convenient, the […]
February 11, 2022
At the TRANSfarm, a site near Leuven meant for up-scaling technologies developed at the Louvain University, the Belgian SolHyd research project is readying a 350 m2 production space for its hydrogen panel. The panel, now cast into an attractive industrial design by Comate Engineering & Design, can generate up to 250 liters of hydrogen from […]
February 10, 2022
Renault Group, Valeo, and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive join forces to develop and manufacture a new-generation automotive electric motor in France. They claim that it is unparalleled worldwide, offering more power on less energy without the use of rare earth elements. The three partners will combine their know-how to design a unique electric powertrain system. They […]
February 10, 2022
Truck specialist RAM wants to bring an all-electric pickup to the market by 2024. To avoid a me-too product, the company has created ramrevolution.com, a digital platform for harvesting useful feedback from customers and potential buyers. The company says it wants to revolutionize the pickup, once again. That task is not a walk in the […]
February 09, 2022
The Japanese business newspaper Nikkei announces that Nissan plans to stop the further development of internal combustion engines. However, a slight exception is made for the North-American market, where the development of specific ICE engines could still be continued for a while. Meanwhile, Nissan has also upgraded its financial prognosis for the current booking year, […]
February 09, 2022
By 2024 DS Automobiles will be fully dedicated to electric models. In the wake of that shift, the company is experimenting with technology and design solutions. As a cross-over between a Formula E and a road car the E-Tense Performance is such a testbed. Contrary to many concepts, the E-Tense Performance is road-worthy and will […]
February 09, 2022
Alfa Romeo has finally lifted the curtain on its compact SUV, Tonale. In many ways, this is the little brother to the Stelvio, but despite being smaller, it carries a lot more weight on its shoulders. As the first electrified Alfa, it must compensate for the poor sales performance of the Stelvio and its saloon […]
February 08, 2022
A consortium of German heavyweights led by BMW is working on developing a flat tank for storing hydrogen at 700 bar that can be mounted in a car’s underbody like batteries for a BEV as an alternative for today’s bulky H2 tanks. A solution should be ready by the end of 2022. Today, these cylinders […]
February 08, 2022
Increasing numbers of offenses against payment of road traffic tax have been identified with foreign number plates and trader number plates. This is shown by figures from the Flemish Tax Administration (VLABEL). Offenses with commercial plates account for 20%, while fraud with foreign number plates accounts for 11%. Matthias Diependaele (N-VA), Flemish Minister of Finance, […]
February 08, 2022
Mercedes is extensively realigning its business. After a change of name, with Daimler AG turned Mercedes-Benz Group AG at the beginning of this month, the firm is speeding up on the launch of two all-electric SUV versions of the EQS and EQE. The models are expected by the end of the year. Both cars are […]
February 08, 2022
The German car manufacturer and VW daughter Audi wants to make more money per car sold. The consequence is that it has to abandon producing smaller models and concentrate on the higher level cars. In an interview with the German economic newspaper Handelsblatt, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann declared that the VW Group has recently redefined […]
February 07, 2022
On Tuesday, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton will present the European Chips Act. It embodies the ambitious plan of the European Union to leverage the research in and production of its chip industry. Though not yet approved, the Union wants to invest 42 billion euros in the sector, doubling its presence on the global market […]
February 07, 2022
The Energy Observer, the experimental zero-emission catamaran of French entrepreneur Victorien Erussard that circumnavigated the globe twice, gets a commercial successor in what has to become one of the world’s first fully-electric cargo ships, powered with hydrogen and fuel cells and Aerowings. The Energy Observer 2 will be 120 meters long, 22 meters wide, and […]
