December 29, 2025
2025 has seen a slew of announcements for high-speed electric vehicle (EV) motors, with several exceeding 30,000 rpm. What is behind this sudden need for speed? A report from IDTechEx discusses the benefits, challenges, and solutions for taking this approach. In an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, a higher maximum rpm has been associated with […]
December 23, 2025
Renault quietly delivered a revealing electric-car demonstration at the UTAC test track in Morocco. It’s an experimental aerodynamic EV test car, the Filante Record 2025, which completed more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge with a standard 87 kWh EV battery while maintaining an average speed of just over 100 km/h. The distance is […]
December 23, 2025
A widespread power outage in San Francisco over the weekend halted dozens of driverless Waymo vehicles at busy intersections. The utility failure was turned into a stress test for autonomous ride services, re-opening the debate about how prepared the technology is for large-scale urban disruptions. Tesla’s Elon Musk was quick to respond to how unaffected […]
December 19, 2025
BMW has crossed a crucial industrial threshold at its Munich home plant. The carmaker has completed what it calls the ‘functional checks’ or ‘warm up’ of newly installed production equipment for the Neue Klasse, effectively dry-running the entire production process without vehicles or components. For Munich, this milestone carries symbolic and strategic weight. The Bavarian […]
December 19, 2025
The promise of solid-state batteries is not waning, even as electric-vehicle adoption faces more headwinds now that the EU has revised its 2035 ban. In both China and the US, progress is tangible, as evidenced by the latest results from companies like QuantumScape and WeLion. Hongqi, a car manufacturer, has committed to bringing the technology […]
December 18, 2025
It sounds like something out of Kafka, but the Tesla that the Zaventem police purchased six years ago is still standing in the garage and has hardly been driven at all. The reason? There is no registration certificate for Belgium because the documents are stuck with a Dutch leasing company. The car will soon be delivered […]
December 18, 2025
China is moving one step closer to a full ban on automatic flush door handles, which have become a commodity on so many electric cars. Following a series of fatal incidents, in which rescuers were unable to access burning vehicles, Beijing has launched a public consultation on a new set of safety rules. These would […]
December 18, 2025
Elon Musk oversees Tesla and Starlink, the company that provides internet access through its satellite system. What if the two were combined to provide Tesla cars with connectivity everywhere they roam? A new patent points exactly in that direction. Tesla has filed a patent application for a vehicle roof assembly constructed from radio-frequency-permeable materials. This […]
December 16, 2025
According to a newly released statement from Smart Europe, the fully electric #2, to be launched at the end of 2026, has entered an intensive real-world validation phase on its entirely new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). The #2, expected to become the spiritual successor to the original Smart Fortwo, arrives at a moment when the […]
December 15, 2025
All main lines of the Belgian rail network, covering 6,399 km, are equipped with the ETCS safety system. This train-speed control system continuously monitors speed and intervenes when a train exceeds the speed limit. The rollout by rail network operator Infrabel, which involved installing more than 48,000 beacons in the tracks and equipping more than […]
December 15, 2025
Geely has unveiled a vast new safety complex in eastern China, a flagship project shaped by the engineering competence of its Swedish subsidiary, Volvo. The Chinese car group wants to leverage its competitive edge and plans to make safety, alongside reliability, a sales argument in an increasingly crowded market. The new facility carries a price […]
December 15, 2025
BMW has quietly drawn a strategic line in the fast-evolving battle over electric-vehicle batteries. With the commissioning of its new battery cell recycling facility in Bavaria, operated with circular-economy specialist Encory, the German carmaker is not only closing the loop on its electric drivetrains but also making a clear statement about which battery chemistry it […]
December 11, 2025
Oslo’s ambition to reshape its transport system around cleaner, more flexible mobility has taken a new step through a partnership with Volkswagen that will bring an autonomous ID.Buzz fleet to the city’s streets from 2026. Once again, the Norwegian capital is positioning itself as an early adopter of technologies that many European cities embrace far […]
December 10, 2025
German luxury carmaker Mercedes has partnered with Chinese software firm Momenta to deploy autonomous S-Class limousines, aiming to differentiate itself from Waymo and Tesla with a premium offering. Mercedes is to enter the commercial robotaxi market with a fleet of autonomous S-Class limousines in Abu Dhabi, as the German manufacturer attempts to carve out a […]
December 09, 2025
When Chinese battery giant CATL announced last week that fully electric vessels capable of open-ocean voyages could be commercially viable within three years, the claim sent a jolt through the maritime world. Batteries have already reshaped personal mobility and are rapidly gaining ground in Europe’s leisure boating market, but scaling them to the demands of […]
December 08, 2025
In the future, Brussels’ Maximilian Park will also serve as a source of heating and cooling for the surrounding buildings. Test drilling will begin today as part of the park’s energy transition in the North District. Be.SHARE, a project for a low-temperature network, aims to drastically reduce CO2 emissions in the district by replacing fossil […]
December 05, 2025
Lexus is officially resurrecting its most hallowed nameplate, but it is compliant with modern times. The screaming V10 engine that defined the original icon is swapped for a battery pack. While expectations are that this model will crown Toyota as one of the first legacy manufacturers to turn to solid-state battery packs, that part of […]
December 05, 2025
It begins with a thud that shouldn’t be survivable. In a video ricocheting across Chinese social media and picked up by YouTube channel Planet Car News, a two-ton palm tree with a trunk thicker than a man’s torso is dropped on a gleaming BYD Yangwang U8L luxury SUV. The impact is violent, the shockwave rippling […]
December 04, 2025
The Tesla Model Y has finished dead last in Germany’s TÜV Report 2026. The world’s best-selling EV recorded a defect rate of 17.3 percent for vehicles aged two to three years. The figure is nearly triple the segment average of 6.5 percent and represents the poorest performance among cars in this age group over the […]
December 04, 2025
To stabilize its shrinking European market share, Ford plans to leverage its most rugged American model. The carmaker is preparing to launch a Europe-exclusive version of the Bronco in 2027, but it will not feature a purely electric driveline. And don’t expect a rival for the upcoming small G-Class and baby Defender. Ford doesn’t shy […]
December 02, 2025
Since December 1st, China has introduced new, stricter regulations to improve the safety and quality of e-bikes, particularly their batteries. With more than 350 million e-bikes, the country has the world’s largest fleet. The stricter safety requirements govern battery safety and are intended to prevent illegal modifications that could reduce the risk of fire. The […]
December 02, 2025
When the Croatian repair network EV Clinic posted an unusually blunt warning on X about ‘catastrophic’ failure rates in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y NMC battery packs built by LG Energy Solution in Nanjing (China), the message rippled quickly across the EV community, picked up by sites like Electrek, ArenaEV, and others. But it […]
December 01, 2025
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has issued a software update for its A320 Neo aircraft. This was prompted by a recent incident involving a JetBlue Airways Corp. aircraft. According to Airbus, this incident showed that intense sunlight can affect critical control data, potentially forcing the airplane into an unexpected dive. Initially, there was talk of a […]
November 28, 2025
Omoda is expanding its European range with a hybrid version of the Omoda 5. The new HEV aims for the likes of the hybrid Kia Niro and the oddball Nissan Qashqai e-Power. It comes with a facelift and the hope of gaining more traction in the Belgian marketplace through a more classic take on electrification. […]
November 27, 2025
Horse Powertrain, the Renault-Geely joint venture backed by Saudi Aramco, has unveiled the production-bound version of its ‘Future Hybrid System,’ signalling a decisive shift from an intriguing idea shown earlier this year to a fully industrialised technology aimed at mass-market deployment by 2027. It’s more than yet another powertrain technology. It signals a shift in […]
November 27, 2025
Students at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) have developed a sustainable electric city car called Aria, which users can repair themselves in some cases. The goal of the study is “to inspire the automotive industry and challenge European policymakers”, as the university team states. The Technical University in Eindhoven (southern Netherlands) is renowned for its […]
November 27, 2025
In the hypercar world, the sky is the limit, yet even in this rarified space, the debut of the Aspark Owl Roadster lands with unusual force as one of the world’s fastest EV roadsters on sale. The Japanese company Aspark has unveiled a convertible version of its extreme electric hypercar, already famed for its 1,900-plus […]
November 27, 2025
BMW is reportedly considering equipping some electric models with range extenders, primarily for the Chinese market. The larger model series are the main candidates, as they are more likely to have the space for an additional powertrain. News agency Bloomberg broke the news on BMW’s plans, citing sources familiar with the company’s strategy. Apparently, the […]
November 26, 2025
In mid-September, Alstom completed the world’s first journey with a shunting locomotive converted from diesel to hydrogen drive in Salzgitter, Germany. But barely two months later, the French multinational, a global leader in rail transport, is pausing further development of hydrogen trains. According to Alstom, the main reasons for discontinuing or pausing the projects are the […]
November 26, 2025
The Volkswagen Group has completed the final expansion stage of its Technology and Innovation Center (VCTC) in Hefei. This will enable Volkswagen to independently develop complete vehicle projects and technologies for the Chinese market. The new operational facilities of the Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) expand local research and development capabilities by combining software […]
November 26, 2025
At last week’s Solutrans trade show in Lyon, Renault Trucks finally pulled the wraps off what it had promised earlier as its spearhead for long-distance electric freight. The new E-Tech T 780 and its payload-focused sibling, the E-Tech T 585, build upon the architecture developed by Volvo Trucks. The new trucks aim at convincing logistics […]
November 24, 2025
AUDI, the China-only EV offshoot of the brand, is preparing to broaden its lineup. At the Guangzhou Auto Show, a second model was previewed. Predictably, the concept previews the addition of an SUV, joining the E5 Sportback. The new vehicle, called the AUDI E SUV Concept, is the second product from Audi’s sub-brand developed with […]
November 20, 2025
South Korean Kia’s PV5 has clinched the International Van of the Year 2026 title, an achievement that marks more than just another trophy in the light-commercial segment. It signals a generational shift in the European van market, one that has long been dominated by established European players and incremental updates rather than step-changes. What makes […]
November 19, 2025
Renault unveiled the production version of the new Trafic E-Tech Electric at Solutrans 2025 in Lyon (18 to 22 November). The all-electric panel van is the brand’s first vehicle based on Ampere’s flexible, scalable SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) architecture. Another first for the brand is the 800V technology, which is being used in a Renault […]
November 17, 2025
The Vilvoorde police court has annulled the fine imposed on mobility expert Johan De Mol (Ghent University) for speeding because a private company co-finances the speed camera. The ruling could undermine the entire average speed check system, especially in Flanders. Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) intends to study the ruling thoroughly and, […]
November 17, 2025
A major investigation in Germany has shed light on long-running concerns that electric cars might expose their occupants to unsafe levels of electromagnetic fields. The research team found that even at peak power demand, the readings stayed far below recognized health limits. Basically, electric cars are on par with trains, trams, and even conventional gasoline […]
November 14, 2025
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company, has launched another New Glenn rocket. On board is a scientific mission to study the planet Mars. The New Glenn has only one flight under its belt. In January, the rocket successfully placed dozens of tons of equipment into orbit around the Earth on its maiden voyage. However, the landing […]
November 14, 2025
In July 2026, the students of the Innoptus Solar Team (KU Leuven) will travel to the United States to participate in the American Solar Challenge. After a strong performance and third place in Australia in August 2025, the Belgian team wants to showcase Belgian innovation in America. For the first time, the Belgians are participating in […]
November 14, 2025
French multinational Air Liquide, a company with a strong focus on innovation and the energy transition, has started up an ammonia cracker in the Antwerp-Bruges port area. This is a pilot plant that cracks ammonia and converts it into hydrogen. According to Air Liquide, this is a world first, and the project will save more than […]
November 14, 2025
A new study by the French Institut Mobilités en Transition (IMT) casts fresh doubt on the future of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), arguing that prolonging their sale in Europe beyond 2035 would harm both household budgets and the continent’s climate ambitions. The study finds that for buyers of new vehicles, plug-in hybrids cost about 7% […]
November 13, 2025
Peugeot has unveiled the Polygon Concept, embodying the manufacturer’s vision for the future. Peugeot claims it’s not a dream car but a compact concept car (under 4 meters) that previews the Peugeots of tomorrow, beginning with the new e-208 arriving soon. According to Peugeot, three qualities stand out: the Polygon Concept aims to be agile, […]
November 13, 2025
EVs are increasingly showing supercar performance, but this might hit a ceiling soon. China is preparing to introduce a sweeping new rule that would cap how quickly cars can accelerate when started, for instance. A new draft issued by the Ministry of Public Security proposes that all passenger vehicles be, by default, unable to accelerate […]
November 12, 2025
Chinese carmaker XPeng has taken another step in the electrification race with the unveiling of the G6 EREV, an extended-range version of its midsize SUV featuring a 55.8 kWh battery that delivers a pure-electric range of over 400 km (CLTC) or 325 km (WTLP). That’s roughly the distance from De Panne to Eupen on pure electricity. […]
November 12, 2025
Yutong, China’s biggest bus manufacturer, based in Zhengzhou, which has supplied electric buses to Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, has built a remotely operated ‘kill switch’ into its vehicles. This mechanism gives the manufacturer digital access to systems for software updates and diagnostics. Still, in theory, it is also possible to disable or influence the […]
November 11, 2025
In Brussels, there has been a noticeable increase in thefts of Poppy shared and rental cars. Exact figures are not available, partly because some cars are recovered before they are reported stolen, and because attempts are often considered vandalism. What is striking, however, is that the thieves are often minors without a driver’s licence. They […]
November 10, 2025
Toyota’s indestructible Hilux, long defined by diesel torque and unshakeable dependability, is stepping into uncharted territory. The ninth-generation, on order as of December, marks the most significant shift in the model’s 55-year history with the arrival of a battery-electric version. Also, a hydrogen-powered model will follow. The fully electric Hilux BEV leads the launch, hitting […]
November 10, 2025
When Chinese electric carmaker XPeng Motors unveiled its new humanoid robot Iron last week, the audience at a Guangzhou tech fair couldn’t believe their eyes. The tall, silver-skinned figure glided across the stage with slow, deliberate female movements — so human that murmurs rippled through the crowd. “It’s just a woman in a suit.” But […]
November 06, 2025
Launched in 1992, Renault Twingo radically transformed the A segment with its bold new vision of the city car. Today, Renault wants to reinvent the electric A segment, with a bold ‘reinvention’ of its former success story. “Contrary to popular belief, the current size of the A segment is not a reflection of low demand: […]
November 06, 2025
The first Brussels ANPR cameras, initially intended for the low-emission zone (LEZ) and average speed checks, have been connected to the national police network. This involves 450 cameras. The integration allows all six Brussels police zones to access live data and footage in real time. Connecting the cameras to the brand-new national police platform ANPR@GPI […]
November 06, 2025
Four companies are joining forces to realize a world first in green hydrogen. On a site in Namur, Belgium, they will build in 2026 the world’s first ‘commercial’ solar hydrogen park based on Belgian Solhyd technology, catching ‘green hydrogen’ directly from the air with sunlight. By choosing Namur, not a sunnier spot like the desert, […]
November 05, 2025
Geely’s Swedish-Chinese subbrand Zeekr has just rolled out a refreshed version with more power, more range, and a surprisingly long list of luxury features of its compact electric SUV, the Zeekr X, a sibling to the Volvo EX30 (Belgium-built )and the Smart #1. It packs a 61.47 kWh LFP battery, offering up to 530 km […]
November 04, 2025
Renault’s electric Ampere division and Stratus Materials have closed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). The aim is to use cobalt-free battery technology in the next generation of electric vehicles. This so-called LXMO technology offers an energy density comparable to that of NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) batteries at a lower price, similar to that of LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries. […]
November 04, 2025
The Spanish carmaker Ebro has unveiled the S900, a large, seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV designed to push it into the same league as Europe’s established players. Once known for its sturdy commercial vehicles, Ebro has re-emerged as an SUV brand, with a bit of help from China. Ebro’s name doesn’t resound widely across Europe (yet?), […]
November 03, 2025
Chinese EV giant Xpeng has begun mass production of a ‘real flying car’ with the first flying body rolling of the assembly line. It’s the first time a major automaker, not a start-up, has crossed that line. Xpeng’s flying-car division, recently rebranded Aridge, announced this week that the first model rolled off the line at […]
November 03, 2025
The Nexperia crisis is entering an easing phase. China has said it will grant case-by-case exemptions from its ban on Nexperia chip exports. This could offer a lifeline to automakers scrambling to secure supplies. In the meantime, industry leaders warn that recovery from the disruption could take months. The Ministry of Commerce said eligible firms […]
November 03, 2025
BMW is one of the first European car manufacturers to receive approval for its driver assistance system (DCAS). The German carmaker can now offer its ‘Motorway Assistant’ for the new iX3 in 60 countries without having to apply for approval in each country. The DCAS regulation was adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for […]
October 31, 2025
Four years after the Japanese carmaker virtually disappeared from the Belgian market, Mitsubishi is back, as we wrote earlier. Test-driving on Spanish roads, the two latest additions to the lineup—the hybrid Grandis and the fully electric Eclipse Cross—there’s one thing that’s immediately apparent. Driving electric is so much more fun. And it makes sense for […]
October 30, 2025
After more than ten years of research and fine-tuning of its pilot plant in Istanbul, Turkish SynPet Technologies has chosen the Port of Antwerp to build its first large-scale plastic recycling plant. The project will represent a 300-million-euro investment. If all goes according to plan, the plant will be operational in 2028 and will process […]
October 30, 2025
The mandatory technical inspection for second-hand motorcycles in Flanders will be abolished in mid-2026, barely three years after its introduction. Pretty unpopular among bike riders, it resulted in 21,000 fewer second-hand motorcycles sold in 2024. Motorcycles will no longer have to be inspected when sold or after an accident, and no periodic inspection will replace […]
October 29, 2025
Among the many concept and production vehicles from traditional car manufacturers present at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, there’s also a booth from… TV and household appliance maker Sharp. The Japanese company has unveiled its second interpretation of an electric car that serves as an addition to the household, rather than just a means of […]
