May 12, 2020
Due to the coronavirus health crisis closing 40 of its 45 plants, French OEM specialized in plastics for the automotive sector, Novartis, has gone in receivership. The company that accumulated 400 million euros of debt to finance its spectacular growth since 2012 now needs €115 million to overcome this low period and ensure a production […]
May 11, 2020
Flemish Mobility club, VAB, expects a significant increase in battery and particulate filter problems in cars in the coming days and weeks. A survey carried out by VAB among more than 10 000 motorists shows that they hardly used the car during the lockdown. Few rides, short distances 7% of the cars remained stationary all […]
May 11, 2020
Connected cars collect information about their driver’s whereabouts, and make it possible to analyze their way of life. This makes them a possible threat to personal privacy, says the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). In addition to location data and driving behavior, biometric data is also collected. Fingerprints to start a car, for example, or […]
May 08, 2020
The Périer-D’Ieteren family, a shareholder of the SPDG holding controlling D’Ieteren Auto, has become the most important investor in Sweetwood Ventures. A fund that invests in Israelian startups via Israelian venture capital funds. Sweetwood Ventures, with Manuel Sussholz (ex-Goldman Sachs) as co-founder, has recently raised 70 million dollars (65 million euros) in Europe. Half of […]
May 07, 2020
Swedish carmaker Volvo is aiming to offer in the XC90 from 2022 on Level 4 fully autonomous driving on highways without the need for the driver’s attention. Key is affordable LiDAR technology from Florida-based tech start-up Luminar, in which Volvo did ‘a strategic investment’ back in 2018. LiDAR, an acronym for ‘light detection and ranging‘ […]
May 05, 2020
On Monday, Chinese electric vehicle and battery manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dream) announced it will come to Norway this year with its second-generation ‘Tang’ SUV to start its quest for conquering the rest of Europe. Later on, end of 2020, a whole series of commercial battery-electric vehicles (BEV) will follow from electric vans over 7,5 […]
May 04, 2020
Chinese car manufacturer Xiaopeng, unveiled the Xpeng P7, what it likes to position as a severe challenger for Tesla’s Model 3. Not only the design closely resembles the existing Tesla products, but also the X-pilot function (autonomous driving function) has a lot in common with Tesla’s AutoPilot. Musk even calls it ‘a pale copy’. Xiaopeng […]
April 30, 2020
The city of Antwerp is the first to implement the new data standard the Flemish government has developed for smart mobility or ‘Mobility as a Service (MaaS)’. The standard was developed together with the mobility sector, research institute Imec, and ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems), an NGO facilitating the transition to sustainable mobility. ‘Mobility central’ The […]
April 29, 2020
European airplane manufacturer, Airbus, and British jet engine builder, Rolls Royce, announced that they pull the plug of the E-Fan X project, a hybrid plane that should have made its first test flight in 2020. The demonstration plane should prove it is possible to replace one or more traditional engines with an electric one to […]
April 27, 2020
Bram Schot (58), the former CEO of Audi, has left the company this month and considers his options. Meanwhile, he analyses the current situation and thinks about the future. He talked openly to the Dutch newspaper Trouw. Schot was the successor of Rupert Städler at Audi in 2018 and led the company through a difficult […]
April 24, 2020
The American car manufacturer, Ford, is focusing on making its cars as quiet as possible. Noise is one of the underestimated problems with cars and vehicles in general, within as well as outside these vehicles. A test carried out by Ford showed that occupants in the new Ford Kuga PHEV experience interior noise levels that […]
April 24, 2020
The Amsterdam airport of Schiphol started testing this week the TaxiBot, a semi-robot with hybrid diesel-electric propulsion to bring an airplane to and from the runway. By not having to use the airplane’s jet engines, 50 to 85% of fuel savings are achieved. And a proportionally CO2 reduction, as well as a 60% reduction of […]
April 23, 2020
Dutch grid manager TenneT is launching its ‘Equigy’ platform to use the batteries of thousands of electrical vehicles (EVs) as a storage backup to balance the grid. For the owner of an electric car, this could mean an opportunity to ‘earn’ 15 000 free driving kilometers per year, TenneT calculated. The platform, called ‘Equigy’ as […]
April 22, 2020
English/Indian car manufacturer Land Rover will accelerate the hybridization of its portfolio by offering two of its most popular models as PHEVs. The Land Rover Discovery Sport and the very popular Range Rover Evoque will share the same underpinnings. P300e The PHEV version of both models will be called P300e. Underneath there are some significant […]
April 21, 2020
The German automobile group Volkswagen (VW) reached an ‘amicable settlement’ with some 200 000 VW owners in the dieselgate scandal in Germany. Compensation amounting to 620 million euros will be paid, VW announced on Monday. Compensation With this settlement, Volkswagen intends to end the dieselgate legal fight in Germany by paying out damages to the […]
April 21, 2020
The truck division of German carmaker Daimler and the Swedish Volvo Group are setting up a 50/50 joint venture to bundle their efforts in the development and production of hydrogen-driven fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles. Both companies announced on Tuesday signing a preliminary non-binding agreement. The agreement foresees that Daimler will consolidate all its current […]
April 20, 2020
The Belgian energy transition is delayed because the federal government is hesitating to decide. In principle, Belgium will have to close its nuclear power stations in 2025. To be able to do so, gas-fired power stations will have to be built, but the approvals are lacking. Gas-fired power stations According to Elia, the operator of […]
April 20, 2020
Chinese electric carmaker, Aiways, announced it was granted seven patents in Europe and China for its charging robot CARL. The latter is an autonomous unit you can summon with an app to find your car to recharge your batteries, without human intervention. Earlier, Volkswagen also showed a similar mobile charging robot, but this one is […]
April 16, 2020
The British government has given the green light to start construction works on the UK’s second high-speed line (HS2) connecting London with the north of the country, despite the current corona lockdown. The firms of the consortiums involved in phase one of the project will have to comply with the social distancing measures when starting. […]
April 09, 2020
Japanese carmaker, Honda, is joining forces with American General Motors to develop two electric vehicles based on GM’s new Ultium battery pack and its flexible EV platform. GM is delivering the underpinnings. Honda will focus on the body and interiors of the cars that will get its nametag. The new electric Honda models will be […]
April 08, 2020
Polestar shows the technical details behind its Precept concept car, the vision of the young, totally electrified Volvo/Geely daughter on the future of the car and mobility. The car itself was meant to be a star at the (canceled) Geneva Motor Show and launched online instead end of February. “People ask me what’s the future […]
April 06, 2020
On Friday, the French government published a ministerial decree that creates a legal framework for electric car conversions. ICE cars, buses, and trucks over five years old, and two and three-wheelers over three years old can now be retrofitted with an electric powertrain. The love for classic cars won’t die with the rise of electric […]
April 06, 2020
Flemish Minister of Mobility, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), announces 21 new average speed checks along regional roads in Flanders. The average speed checks, representing an investment of 3 million euros for about 55 km of regional roads, are being ordered now and will be installed by autumn 2020. In addition to the cameras of local […]
April 02, 2020
The e-bike market has been growing steadily for years. The market represented 9 million units last year. That is why the Belgian company E2 Drives also focuses on this growth market by developing innovative technology with an automatic gearbox. Interesting technology E2, founded by Arthur Deleval and Simon Godfrind, tries to position itself in the […]
April 02, 2020
The team of engineers of the Brussels University (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VUB) that is currently working on prototypes of ventilators can count on the help of Audi Brussels for the production process. L’Echo writes this, and the news is confirmed to Belga by VUB professor Mark Runacres. It is not yet clear when the production […]
April 01, 2020
With the coronavirus health crisis, the Belgian economy has been put on the back burner. Eight task forces have been set up to focus on rescuing it after the crisis, with aviation getting first dibs. As Belgian aeronautical companies, airlines and airports are on tick over, the sector notes that it will take months to […]
April 01, 2020
The corona crisis is hitting Dutch fast-charger company Fastned hard. Demand for charging electric cars along the highways in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK where Fastned is active, has dropped with 70% since mid-March. Last year, Fastned’s turnover rose by 178% to €4,5 million. The growth was ‘fueled’ by the increased number of electric […]
March 31, 2020
On Monday, the organization announced in a press release that the 2020 Paris Motor Show, ‘Mondial de l’Automobile’, would be canceled “in its current format”, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Alternative solutions for the October event are being studied. The future of the event’s Movin-On and Smart City exhibitions is not on the table. “In […]
March 31, 2020
The premium German car manufacturer, BMW, is showing the first virtual insights into the powertrain system of its hydrogen car, i Hydrogen Next, first shown at the Frankfurt Motorshow IAA. The system is one of the alternative powertrain systems BMW is further developing, considering the different markets and customer requirements all over the world. “We […]
March 31, 2020
The Belgian network provider, Proximus, will be the first operator in Belgium to introduce a ‘light’ version of 5G. The new mobile network will be introduced on Wednesday. Apart from the introduction, the telecom operator is also planning to accelerate the roll-out of its glass fiber network, the company announces in a press release. Network […]
March 30, 2020
Four out of five Flemish companies in the renewable energy sector are already facing the consequences of the corona crisis. Another 16% expect an impact on the work within the month. Only the companies that install heat pumps feel the crisis a little more limited. All this is evident from a survey by the Organisation […]
March 27, 2020
German technology group and automotive supplier, Bosch, has developed a rapid corona test, together with Randox Laboratories Ltd. in the UK. It will take only 2,5 hours to diagnose the coronavirus. Currently, a coronavirus test in Germany takes four to five hours and the additional sample transport time. The test will be available in Germany […]
March 26, 2020
Japanese carmaker Toyota is working with its commercial vehicle subsidiary Hino Motors on a heavy-duty fuel cell truck based on the next generation Mirai. With two of the Mirai’s fuel cell stacks, the 12 meters long and 25 ton heavy Hino Profia FR1AWHG will have an estimated cruising range of 600 km. That is “in […]
March 25, 2020
Medical equipment manufacturers are organizing to meet the demand for respirators to face the Covid-19 pandemic. But since their capacity is not sufficient, others, such as car manufacturers, are coming to their aid. Insufficient production capacity US medical device company, GE, has increased its equipment manufacturing capacity and strengthened its teams. It now produces 24 […]
March 24, 2020
Giant ocean seaweed farms operated by underwater drones to produce biofuels that can be used in aviation or road transport. It sounds like science fiction, but it is a scientific experiment funded by the US government. Giant farms of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) of several hectares in the middle of the ocean would be brought to […]
March 23, 2020
Because the price of electricity is currently very low, it is more interesting to buy electricity abroad than to invest in your wind turbines or solar power. Unfavorable situation “It is not attractive to invest in a new wind energy project or a solar roof. It doesn’t look good for the coming years either,” says […]
March 23, 2020
French oil giant, Total, is buying itself into floating wind parks in the Celtic Sea, the area between the south coast of Ireland and the most westerly tip of the UK, Land’s End. It announced taking an 80% participation in the floating Erebus project of British Simply Blue Energy Ltd. Total didn’t specify how much […]
March 19, 2020
In their two years of service, the TEC’s new hybrid buses have shown unexpected premature wear of electrical components. This reliability issue caused chained reactions that grounded part of the fleet due to a lack of spare parts. Walloon Mobility Minister, Philippe Henry (Ecolo), has mixed views on the new hybrid buses that now equip […]
March 18, 2020
A Belgium start-up based in Zedelgem near Bruges has developed a patented rooftop ‘docking station’ and a matching elevator and smart box system to allow any type of drone to deliver packages in crowded areas. Drone-Future is going to Cambodia to test its prototypes and hopes to get the attention of the world’s most prominent […]
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
Autoconcern Volkswagen has been summoned by the Dutch Diesel Emissions Justice Foundation because of the diesel scandal. That’s what the Dutch press agency ANP writes. In addition to Volkswagen, the foundation, which is committed to all registered European victims, also sues cheating software developer Robert Boch, importer Pon, and individual Dutch dealers in court in […]
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 12, 2020
Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation, Hilde Crevits (Cd&V), has decided to attribute 7,3 million euros from the European Fund for Regional Development (Europees Fonds voor Regionale Ontwikkeling, EFRO), to three Flemish projects. Manufacturing economy The major part of the budget – 5,2 million euros – goes to a campus for the manufacturing economy in […]
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 10, 2020
American researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst (MA) have found a way to let a natural protein produce electricity using the moisture of plain air. Their ‘Air-gen’ – an air-powered generator – as they call it, can deliver pure ‘clean’ electricity on a non-stop 24/7-base, without needing any wind or solar energy. When […]
March 10, 2020
In 2019, 304 people died in Flemish traffic, the highest number since 2016. What is striking is the increase in the number of pedestrians killed, from 32 to 44. The explanation may lie in the rise of SUVs and pickups. This is what the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Science (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV) reports on […]
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 09, 2020
More and more companies are offering their employees electric company cars, pushing them away from the combustion engine. “We are coming to a turnaround,” leasing companies say. “It is happening.” Lower TCO Although in terms of price tag, electric cars are, on average, 10 000 euros more expensive than models with a classic combustion engine. […]
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 05, 2020
The city of Antwerp has bought a scan-car that can automatically scan the number plates of parked vehicles, and detect whether they are vehicles with a resident’s card or parking ticket, or vehicles parked without paying. The scan-car should make it possible to check the considerably extended zone of paid parking in the city last […]
March 05, 2020
Dutch buyers of new electric cars will receive a 4 000 euros subsidy as of this summer. Those who buy a used car are eligible for 2 000 euros. That is what Stientje van Veldhoven, Dutch Minister for Environment and Housing (D66), wrote in a letter to the House of Representatives on Wednesday. 250 million […]
March 05, 2020
American carmaker, General Motors, is launching a $20 billion (€18 billion) ‘electric offensive’ spread over all its brands. Spearhead is its third-generation EV platform and GM’s proprietary Ultium battery, promising ranges above 400 miles (643 km). “We believe in an all-electric future, and we will bring all the power and assets of GM to the […]
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 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
German carmaker Volkswagen will no longer develop new cars on compressed natural gas (CNG). According to its Chief of Development, Frank Welsch, in the German newspaper Handelsblatt, it’s more trouble than it’s worth as sales figures are low. VW expects them not to increase dramatically anymore and wants to bet entirely on the electric car. […]
March 02, 2020
Brussels public transport operator, Stib/Mivb, is starting the 6 to 9 months test phase of its new Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app. The company will recruit 2 000 testers to develop its new program that will allow users to get access to all public transports, Villo, and Billy Bikes shared bicycles, Cambio shared cars, […]
