September 29, 2025
Lufthansa plans to reduce its administrative workforce by approximately 4,000 by 2030. Most of the jobs will be lost in Germany. The jobs will become redundant because processes “will be digitized, automated, and consolidated,” says the German airline group. Brussels Airlines expects a “limited impact”. At the same time, the group also announced “the largest […]
September 29, 2025
After the construction of a large gas-fired power plant encountered permitting issues, Engie developed the country’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on its historic site in Vilvoorde, on the outskirts of Brussels. The 320 battery modules each contain dozens of battery packs, storing large amounts of electricity. Located north of Brussels, the Vilvoorde site has […]
September 29, 2025
China will require exporters of pure electric cars to obtain government licences as of next year. This will lend Beijing full authority over which models leave its borders and which companies are allowed to compete abroad. The decision aims at controlling the ongoing price wars. However, from a diplomatic perspective, it provides Jinping’s administration with […]
September 29, 2025
Anyone in Belgium who charges their electric company car at home will receive reimbursement from their employer for the charging costs. Since January, a flat-rate amount has been applied because the actual price is virtually impossible to calculate. This flat rate, which reimburses the cost of charging electric company cars at home, will decrease from […]
September 29, 2025
Smart has officially launched pre-sales in China for its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the #5 EHD (Electric Hybrid Drive). It marks a significant shift for a brand once committed to being BEV-only. Prices start at 189,900 yuan (some €24,000), and deliveries are expected before year’s end. The Smart #5 EHD had already been listed in […]
September 29, 2025
Shortly after Stellantis announced temporary closures, competitor Volkswagen is also reducing production at several of its German electric car production sites. Sales of fully electric cars remain too weak. While the August statistics showed a spark of hope for electric cars, with an uptick of 30%, absolute sales numbers still fail to match production. Currently, […]
September 29, 2025
Last week, BMW was one of the few major carmakers present at Climate Week NYC, attempting to convince the audience of the automotive industry’s efforts toward a sustainable future by spotlighting its Neue Klasse iX3 as a milestone in circularity, efficiency, and lifecycle CO2 reduction. At the same time, on the opposite side of New […]
September 26, 2025
Thanks to an agreement with the Flemish Brabant municipality of Linkebeek, the legal issues surrounding the expansion plans for the Brussels-Nivelles line as part of the Regional Express Network (GEN) have been resolved. Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engages) and Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel, signed an agreement yesterday with the first alderman […]
September 26, 2025
A new type of electric vehicle charger is appearing on the streets of New York, as the metropolis draws inspiration from Europe to enhance its infrastructure. Unlike most of its chargers, these can’t be found at eye level. Instead, the “Voltpost Air” dangles more than three metres above the ground. It’s an unconventional attempt to […]
September 26, 2025
Good news for owners of trendy Cowboy bicycles: the brand and the bicycles will continue to exist. French bicycle group Rebirth is set to acquire 80% of the Brussels-based bicycle company and will invest 15 million euros to get the manufacturer of connected e-bikes back on track. Cowboy, which lost 20 million euros last year […]
September 26, 2025
China announced on Wednesday at the United Nations climate summit that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent by 2035, a figure the European Union considers insufficient. It was Chinese President Xi Jinping who presented the climate goals during a video address. It is the first time that China, currently the world’s […]
September 26, 2025
German Bosch, one of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide, announced that it has to axe 13,000 jobs, mainly in Germany, as “structural and personnel adjustment measures are unavoidable” to close a structural cost gap of €2.5 billion globally. Bosch states that “particularly its Mobility locations in Germany” will be affected by these cuts, which are […]
September 26, 2025
European drivers are buying electric cars at record levels this year, even as the continent’s overall car market shows signs of stagnation. The latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reveal battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) expanding their foothold across the region. Gasoline and diesel models face a steep decline. In August, registrations of BEVs […]
September 26, 2025
Today, we all rely heavily on our mobile phones in an emergency. It’s the first thing you reach for to call for help. But what if, in a total blackout, all the cell towers go down as well? Then even a small EV like the Renault R5 E-Tech Electric can be a guardian angel. Austrian […]
September 25, 2025
The Dieselgate ‘nightmare’ continues to haunt Volkswagen. Disadvantaged Volkswagen customers in France can still claim compensation five years after being informed that cheating software had been installed in their cars. This was ruled by the Court of Cassation, France’s highest Court. Previously, the limitation period for civil lawsuits related to the Dieselgate scandal was five […]
September 25, 2025
According to a 2025 report from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research (PIK), ocean acidification has now exceeded a safe boundary for ecosystems. It is the first time it is placed in the ‘danger zone’. This also means that seven out of the nine ‘planetary boundaries’ have now been crossed. This concept of ‘planetary boundaries’ […]
September 25, 2025
The French government has designated the French company TotalEnergies and the German RWE to build a large wind farm off the Normandy coast – the largest renewable energy project ever in France. RWE and TotalEnergies had been prequalified and are collaborating on the project’s design, development, and execution. TotalEnergies will act as operator. The project, […]
September 25, 2025
The Yangwang U8 has been lavishly heralded for its outstanding off-roading capabilities, with its wading potential almost comparable to that of a sailing vessel. One customer thought the flooded streets during Super Typhoon Ragasa would prove an appropriate demonstration. However, he has now been accused of damaging stores and houses in the process. An adventurous […]
September 25, 2025
There is no longer any legal obstacle preventing the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB from awarding the contract for the definitive allocation of hundreds of new AM30 trainsets to the Spanish company CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). After the Council of State rejected Siemens Mobility’s appeal against the order by German train manufacturer last […]
September 25, 2025
Tesla’s signature ‘Sentry Mode’, an anti-vandalism feature that activates exterior cameras when the car is parked, has come under scrutiny. Belgian lawmakers and regulators question whether the technology violates national privacy laws. Vanessa Matz, Belgium’s minister of digital affairs, told parliament this week that the system, which is designed to monitor the surroundings of a […]
September 25, 2025
Van Mossel, a major player in the automotive sector and acting as a dealer for 32 car brands, is proud to announce the official opening of its brand-new Used Cars Center in Lokeren. “This impressive branch is immediately the largest indoor used car center in Belgium, with a range of more than 300 carefully selected […]
September 24, 2025
ACEA, the European car manufacturers’ federation, remains cautiously optimistic about its economic outlook, with the European economy expected to grow by 1.1% in 2025, followed by a rise to 1.5% in 2026 amid trade tensions and the United States’ tariff changes. Inflation is forecast to ease from 2.3% in 2025 to an average of 1.9% […]
September 24, 2025
EDF, Europe’s largest electricity company, is negotiating with Engie and the Belgian government about a potential takeover of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, aimed at keeping both plants operational longer, specifically until 2045. This is according to La Lettre, a French online newspaper that mainly reports on politics, business, and the media […]
September 24, 2025
It’s a different way of promoting the green transition, in this case, in pink. The Sindh province in Pakistan, in the southeastern region of the country, has recently launched a bold new initiative aimed at transforming mobility for women. Female students and employees can now utilize a fleet of pink electric scooters at no cost. […]
September 24, 2025
Getting a 4/10 on your report card and still receiving a financial bonus of more than 400,000 euros? That is the outcome of the annual performance report by the Federal Public Service Mobility for the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB. In 2024, NMBS/SNCB achieved its targets for five of the 12 performance indicators, while scoring […]
September 24, 2025
Stellantis is preparing to suspend operations across multiple European plants. Slow demand forces the automotive giant to curb output and recalibrate inventories. The company confirmed temporary shutdowns in France and Italy, while reports in the French business daily Les Échos indicate similar pauses in Spain, Germany, and Poland. At the Poissy plant, west of Paris, […]
September 24, 2025
A pilot project has been launched in Antwerp, in which public transport company De Lijn will use AI driver assistance systems on trams to help prevent accidents in the future. The system, developed by the Ghent technology company Otiv, was presented on Tuesday, September 23rd, in Antwerp, in the presence of Minister of Mobility Annick […]
September 24, 2025
Volvo Cars is pressing reset on its digital platform after a rocky start for its flagship battery-powered SUV EX90. The Swedish automaker has unveiled sweeping upgrades to the 2026 model year, including a jump to 800 V architecture. It also outlined plans to build extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in the US, as it seeks to rebuild […]
September 24, 2025
The Zeekr 001, which we first drove in 2023, was never a weakling to begin with, but now it’s had another dose of steroids. In China, the updated version for 2026 is presented with a power boost from 400 kW (544 hp EU specs) to 680 kW (912 hp) for the two-motor version. This makes […]
September 23, 2025
The Belgian port, transport, and logistics sector is in complete transition toward decarbonization, sustainability, and digitalization. According to the new ING Port Study, the sector is embracing change but also faces several challenges. The study examines the factors that accelerate the implementation of greening and digitalization, as well as the barriers that exist. The aim was to gather […]
September 23, 2025
The Flemish government wants to collect an additional 50 million euros annually from speed trap fines. This is one of the mobility consequences of the September Declaration, the moment when the Flemish government proposes the 2026 budget. In addition, the Diependaele government is increasing the CO2 tax for trucks. The kilometer charge is expected to […]
September 23, 2025
For the first time in the history of Deutsche Bahn, a woman will become chair of the board of the German national railway company. That honor goes to Evelyn Palla, who previously headed Deutsche Bahn’s regional train division. In the German business world, it remains relatively rare for women to hold the top position in […]
September 23, 2025
The recent car-free Sunday, on September 21st, once again proved that air quality is improving and noise pollution is decreasing, especially along Brussels’ busiest roads. The sound pressure dropped by 99 percent compared to a regular Sunday. The measuring stations on the E40 in Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe and the E411 in Oudergem recorded sound pressure levels of 50 […]
September 23, 2025
China is intensifying its efforts in the electric car market. The country has unveiled a new strategy that pairs ambitious domestic sales targets with a sharper focus on exports. The new ambitions coincide with a significant increase in sales from Chinese brands in Europe, where their sales have more than doubled in the past year. […]
September 23, 2025
Porsche is dramatically scaling back its push into electric cars, shelving key models and extending the life of gasoline and hybrid vehicles. The sudden reversal comes after a profit warning and has unsettled investors. One of Germany’s most celebrated luxury brands is in turmoil and intends to fight back by looking to its roots. The […]
September 23, 2025
In June 2025, Chery, China’s largest vehicle exporter, announced a second model in Belgium, alongside the Omoda 5 (ICE and EV), the flagship SUV, the Omoda 9 SHS. Now it’s here to order, priced at €52.900 for those cautiously entering the world of electric driving to soothe their eco-consciousness, but secretly like to keep their […]
September 22, 2025
Chinese MG, although a forerunner in Europe when it comes to EVs, is going for the path of least resistance to make a little money on the side, feeding on the current anti-EV attitude of a certain (general) buyer public. It’s called the HS Hybrid+. This one, offered in two trims, Comfort (from €34,285) and […]
September 22, 2025
Several European airports, including Brussels Airport, Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Dublin, and Cork, have been disrupted on Friday and in the weekend by a cyberattack on external service provider Collins Aerospace. Even though it’s been a few days, the fallout is still being felt. The attack affected the American aviation company, which supplies software for […]
September 22, 2025
According to a new study by the Federal Planning Bureau, Belgium should build 8 new nuclear power plants by 2050 to make its electricity supply climate-neutral. In the most cost-optimal scenario, both offshore wind and nuclear energy will be fully expanded. Offshore wind capacity will then grow from 2.2 to 8 gigawatts, and new nuclear power […]
September 22, 2025
BYD’s latest version of its luxury sports car, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, has set a new record as the world’s fastest production car, clocking a top speed of 496.22 km per hour (308.34 mph) at the ATP test facility, an independent automotive proving ground in Papenburg, Germany. Many passenger planes lift the nose for takeoff […]
September 22, 2025
The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB is in a stronger legal position regarding the tendering of new trains. As expected, the Council of State has rejected the appeal by German company Siemens Mobility against NMNS/SNCB’s plans to award an order for hundreds of new trainsets to the Spanish company CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). […]
September 22, 2025
Droneport in Sint-Truiden, a 30-hectare industry park specifically for aviation, drone, advanced air mobility, and unmanned flight testing, wants to build its own solar park on the nearby site and company buildings. The business park aims to generate its own energy to fly electrically. An agreement in principle has been reached to launch the solar […]
September 22, 2025
If outgoing Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) has her way, the capital will become car-free not once but four times a year. Van den Brandt wants to discuss this with the mayors of the 19 municipalities. A poll also shows that most Brussels residents want several car-free days per year. In addition […]
September 22, 2025
While other premium manufacturers who used to tout their commitment to zero-emission mobility are changing their tune to extend the life of their ICE models as long as possible, BMW persists. The company confirms again that the new BMW X5 will be the first model to offer customers a choice of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, […]
September 19, 2025
According to a new study by the VUB University in Brussels, it is technologically possible to reduce CO₂ emissions from Belgian industry by 90 percent by 2040-2050, but it won’t be easy. We face major challenges to green our industry and keep it here. Cheaper electricity and large-scale CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) will be essential. […]
September 19, 2025
The city of Hasselt (Limburg) wants to make car sharing more attractive by temporarily, until December 15, 2025, reimbursing the start-up costs. Anyone who registers as a new user with Cambio or Cozywheels will receive a refund of their connection fees for the time being. At Cambio, the registration fee is 35 euros; at Cozywheels, it […]
September 19, 2025
The new tram in Liège has been in service since the end of April and is proving to be a resounding success. Although no reliable public sources are immediately available, the newspaper Le Soir reports 100,000 users per week, which would amount to more than 2 million passengers to date. The only downside is that […]
September 19, 2025
After seven years of racing, MotoE bows out of the MotoGP paddock. The FIM and commercial rights holder Dorna Sports have confirmed that the electric motorcycle series will be suspended following the 2025 season. The reason? Weak fan engagement and a lack of momentum in the performance e-motorcycle market. Launched in 2019 as part of […]
September 18, 2025
French energy giant Engie may be willing to extend the lifespan of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors by 20 years instead of the planned 10 years. According to the unions, CEO Cédric Osterrieth said this at a works council meeting this week. Furthermore, according to the newspaper Le Soir, Energy Minister Mathieu […]
September 18, 2025
Industrial group VDL and the Dutch province of Limburg are reserving €25 million for the future use of the former VDL Nedcar car factory in Born, where BMWs and MINIs were once assembled until the company withdrew as a customer. VDL now wants to give the site a “broad purpose”, so the complex will be used, […]
September 18, 2025
Two Xpeng AeroHT eVTOLs collided at an air show in Changchun, China, according to various Chinese and American media reports. At least one passenger was taken to the hospital with injuries, but these are not believed to be life-threatening. The cause of the accident is still unclear. There have been relatively few incidents involving eVTOLs, […]
September 18, 2025
Four years after the Japanese carmaker virtually disappeared from the European market, Mitsubishi is back. Thursday evening, it landed in Brussels for the world premiere of the Eclips Cross EV, a fully electric C-segment SUV fitting Europe’s current most-wanted car type, built in the Alliance Ampere (Renault) factory of Douai, France. A rebirth in two […]
September 17, 2025
Dutch fast-charging network Fastned has just opened its 47th charging station in Belgium. Fastned Gentbrugge, along the E17 highway between Ghent and Antwerp, is the largest to date and a ‘flagship’ location. It showcases the company’s aim to deliver a more seamless charging experience, featuring a coffee stop and sanitary facilities throughout its entire network […]
September 17, 2025
On Tuesday, Port of Antwerp-Bruges organized the first fully autonomous truck journey on public roads in Belgium. This milestone, operated under the Belgian regulatory framework, showcases how Belgium – and Europe — can take the lead in advancing autonomous freight technology. With this initiative, the port authority wants to emphasise its pioneering role in the field of […]
September 17, 2025
China is poised to ban retractable car door handles by 2027, following a series of fatal crashes that have exposed the dangers of a feature once hailed as a marker of futuristic design. Flush-mounted handles, popularized by Tesla and copied by numerous electric vehicle makers, are designed to sit flat against the car body until […]
September 17, 2025
The three-country train between Maastricht in the Netherlands, the German city of Aachen, and Liège in Belgium was canceled too often last year and ran late 34% of the time. According to agreements between the Dutch province of Limburg and transport company Arriva, this should be no more than 5%. The main reasons for cancellations […]
September 17, 2025
According to a recent Swiss study published in early September in the scientific journal Nature, nearly one-quarter of heatwaves would have been ‘virtually impossible’ without global warming, and can be attributed to the emissions of individual energy producers. In other words, some recent heatwaves would never have occurred without the emissions of a few large […]
September 17, 2025
Volkswagen Group’s premium Audi brand is fighting back in the world’s largest car market with a range of new, more extended versions of its models under the joint SAIC-AUDI (styled in all capitals) brand. And the first of the line-up for mass production, the E5 Sportback is hot: 10,153 orders within 30 minutes of launch […]
September 17, 2025
The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB reportedly orders trains to skip stops an average of five times a day to make up for delays. In six months, more than 900 stops were skipped. It was already known that NMBS/SNCB was applying this practice. For example, the ombudsperson service already mentioned it in its annual report […]
September 17, 2025
Ford will cut up to 1,000 jobs at its electric vehicle plant in Cologne, Germany, as part of a restructuring effort aimed at adjusting production to sluggish demand for battery-powered cars in Europe. Operations will be reduced at the site from two daily shifts to a single one starting in January 2026. The Cologne facility, […]
