Flemish energy watchdog rejects cheaper afternoon grid tariff

October 14, 2025

The Flemish Utility Regulator (Vlaamse Nutsregulator, formerly VREG) currently sees no reason to introduce time-dependent network tariffs — i.e., cheaper grid fees when solar energy is abundant. The energy watchdog doesn’t want to make things more complicated for consumers. Nearly three years after the so-called ‘capacity tariff’ was introduced (in 2023), which makes households’ grid costs depend […]

Without fresh Flemish millions Antwerp Airport faces bankruptcy

October 14, 2025

Despite millions in aid from Flanders and the federal government, totaling 13,5 million euros, Antwerp Airport’s financial situation is so dire that the so-called alarm bell procedure is in effect. This means that any creditor can ask the court to dissolve the company. Nevertheless, for Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA), who is […]

Nissan refreshes the Ariya with a calmer face and new software 

October 14, 2025

Three years after its launch, Nissan has given the Ariya a modest but meaningful update. The electric SUV retains its core engineering but gains a sleeker design and much-needed digital upgrades. With Google built-in technology and the ability to power external devices, the Ariya is being repositioned as more practical and better connected. When it first […]

Five car makes face UK’s high court over dieselgate scandal

October 14, 2025

The High Court in London has opened one of the most attention-grabbing consumer trials in recent years. Five car manufacturers are accused of deceiving millions of drivers by installing defeat devices to cheat pollution tests. The case, expected to run for three months, revives the scandal that has haunted the industry for a decade. Billions of […]

Toyota teases its future, a Corolla-branded ‘people’s electric car’

October 14, 2025

Ahead of the upcoming Japan Mobility Show (JMS) 2025, which will take place from October 30 to November 9, Toyota is teasing a Corolla-branded concept car that is reportedly chargeable. Meaning it is either fully electric or a plug-in hybrid, a bridge between the traditional Corolla and the carmaker’s fully electric future, as it is […]

Ford changes strategy (again) in Europe and names new CEO

October 14, 2025

Ford has nominated a new CEO for Europe as it wants more region-focused cars again. Jim Baumbick is named Ford of Europe’s first president in three years; his first task will be to develop and build those more Europe-focused cars. Ford has named Jim Baumbick as its first dedicated European boss in three years, as […]

US cuts back on e-trucks, but smaller initiatives remain

October 13, 2025

With the current US administration under President Trump waging war on EV mandates, a nationwide rollout of e-trucks seems unlikely. But the road transport sector is still looking to cut emissions through initiatives that don’t compromise. The second Trump administration has been battling the advancement of electric vehicles of all sizes across the US. EV […]

Volkswagen ID Unyx 07: first China-developed EV for local market

October 13, 2025

Volkswagen is preparing to launch the ID Unyx 07, a mid-size electric saloon that will debut a new Chinese-developed platform and broaden the company’s electric range in the world’s largest car market. The model’s main task is to be perceived as a Chinese rather than a German Volkswagen to help resurrect sliding sales. To do […]

DS N°4 is now also available as a BEV

October 13, 2025

With a new name and fresh design, the revamped DS 4 is entering the second half of its life as the DS N°4. For the first time, there is also a pure electric version, the E-Tense, which shares its technology with the Opel Astra Electric and offers a range of 450 kilometers. Built in Rüsselsheim, […]

Scientists warn: ‘Climatological tipping point for coral reef death has been reached’

October 13, 2025

The death of coral reefs marks the first catastrophic climate tipping point linked to greenhouse gas emissions. “Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2 degrees Celsius ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’,” the Global Tipping Points Report by 160 scientists across 87 institutions from 23 countries […]

National strike on Oct 14 to disrupt transport and airports in Belgium

October 13, 2025

Tomorrow, Belgian trade unions will mobilize en masse against the Arizona government’s plans. They are hoping for a repeat of 2014, when 100,000 demonstrators turned up to protest, among other things, an index jump. The unions are particularly concerned about the government’s pension reforms, the planned expansion of flexi-jobs, and lower pay for night work. […]

D’Ieteren Luxury Performance: all luxury brands together

October 13, 2025

D’Ieteren is by far the most prominent car importer in the Belux and has now decided to regroup all its luxury brands under one umbrella, D’Ieteren Luxury Performance. The importer wants to streamline the (booming) business while also offering even better service. Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, and Rimac were gathered in the exclusive surroundings […]

Lufthansa CEO fears aviation sector will not achieve its 2050 climate targets

October 10, 2025

The head of Lufthansa does not believe the aviation sector will achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. CEO Carsten Spohr attributes this to the slow development of technology and the increased availability of more sustainable aircraft fuels. The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals. The company aims to achieve a neutral CO2 […]

EnergyVision experiments with small wind turbines for the home

October 10, 2025

The listed energy company EnergyVision wants to invest more in wind turbines to complement its solar panels. EnergyVision is a Belgian energy company that supplies 100% green, locally produced electricity, primarily from solar installations installed for households and businesses in Belgium.  In addition to solar panels and EV charging solutions, EnergyVision is now testing small rooftop wind […]

Belgian rail unions reject draft agreement with Mobility Minister

October 10, 2025

The members of Belgium’s largest rail unions have rejected the draft agreement on a modernized statute for rail personnel that the unions had initially agreed with Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés). According to the rail unions, there will probably be no new round of negotiations, and the Minister is now free to do […]

How a subnuclear physicist is powering Ferrari’s Elettrica future

October 10, 2025

The ultimate electric Ferrari, the Elettrica, is here, at least in part, with the chassis and underlying technology revealed in the first step. How it will look inside and out is still a well-kept secret, reserved by Ferrari for Spring 2026. This won’t be a mix-and-match of borrowed EV technology as it’s a pure Ferrari […]

From rockets to rail: Martin Sion becomes Alstom’s new CEO

October 10, 2025

Starting in April, Martin Sion, currently executive chairman of European aerospace company ArianeGroup, will become the new CEO of French railway manufacturer Alstom. Sion will replace Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the current CEO. Poupart-Lafarge, who has been CEO of Alstom since 2016, announced in May that he would not be seeking a fourth term. Martin Sion had […]

T&E: ‘Biofuels globally emit more CO2 than the fossil fuels they replace’

October 09, 2025

Global biofuels emit 16% more CO2 than the fossil fuels they replace, due to the indirect impacts of farming and deforestation, a new Cerulogy report on behalf of T&E shows. By 2030, biofuels are projected to emit 70 Mt CO₂e more than the fossil fuels they replace, equivalent to the annual emissions of almost 30 […]

More Belgian trains on weekends and after midnight after all

October 09, 2025

From December 14th, extra late trains will run from Brussels and Antwerp on Friday and Saturday evenings, sometimes until well after midnight. This has been announced by NMBS/SNCB. At weekends, there will also be more trains between several major cities, such as the suburban S-net around Brussels, Ghent, and Charleroi. The changes have already been […]

BMW Group adjusts outlook for 2025

October 09, 2025

The BMW Group was unable to quite match its forecasts and sales figures from the first half of the year, and the stock market has reacted accordingly (-8.25%). Meanwhile, BMW has now achieved six-figure electric car sales in a total of six quarters. The group achieved volume growth year-to-date in September across the European and […]

‘Slight decline in new motorcycles, second-hand market recovers’

October 09, 2025

According to Christophe Dubon, spokesman for car and two-wheeler federation Febiac, the new motorcycle market performed well in the first nine months of the year. “During the first nine months of 2025, the new motorcycle market experienced a slight decline of -4.3%, with a total of 21,728 registrations, which is not a bad result. The […]

Flanders to tax newly registered EVs from 2026, used ones remain exempt

October 09, 2025

Starting January 1, 2026, Flanders will end its full exemption from registration and annual road taxes for fully electric (BEVs) and hydrogen-powered vehicles (FCEVs). Until then, all electric cars remain completely tax-free, and new owners of second-hand EVs registered earlier will still benefit. From 2026, new EVs registered in Flanders will pay a fixed one-time […]

T&E: ‘Demands EU car industry would halve EV sales’

October 09, 2025

The car industry is demanding loopholes in the EU car CO2 law that would halve the bloc’s ambition of selling only zero-emission cars in 2035. That’s according to T&E analysis of a leaked position paper by the European car industry lobby ACEA. Carmakers are demanding more than 10 loopholes, including counting cars that run on alternative […]

Ghent postpones LEZ evaluation until legal certainty ensured

October 08, 2025

There will be no evaluation of the low-emission zone (LEZ) in Ghent for the time being. This is according to Filip Watteeuw (Groen), alderman for Climate and Environment, among others. According to Watteeuw, there is currently too much legal uncertainty, which means that the city cannot and will not decide to evaluate the LEZ and make […]

Stellantis CEO finalizes his top management reshuffle

October 08, 2025

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has completed his homework and redesigned a significantly revamped Stellantis Leadership Team (SLT) to face the tough challenges of the coming years. Filosa has now positioned his man (and women) where he wanted them. “With these new appointments, we are promoting exceptional talent from inside and out to leadership roles as […]

IEA: ‘Global renewable growth slows 5% amid US and China policy shifts’

October 08, 2025

According to the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), growth in renewable energy is slowing due to policy changes in the United States and China. In its Renewables 2025 report, the IEA has lowered its projection for global renewable capacity additions in 2025–2030 by approximately 248 GW, or roughly 5%, compared to its 2024 outlook. In the […]

Hödlmayr applies for permit to store Stellantis’ overstock cars in Brustem

October 08, 2025

The German logistics company Hödlmayr, in cooperation with Stellantis, is currently using part of DronePort’s site in Brustem (Sint-Truiden, Limburg) to store a large number of new cars in ‘overstock’ produced by Stellantis.” Now, Hödlmayr has applied for a permit. What began as a temporary stopgap solution for car manufacturer Stellantis at the end of […]

Electric motorbike pioneer Zero Motorcycles moves to Europe

October 08, 2025

Pioneering electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles is relocating its administrative headquarters from the United States to the Netherlands. The Netherlands will thus become the company’s global headquarters. However, the US locations will continue to play an important role. Zero Motorcycles officially justified the move by stating that Europe has become the most important growth engine. […]

EU’s intended tariff wall against cheap steel evokes mixed reactions

October 08, 2025

The European Commission wants to erect a tariff wall to protect the strategically important steel industry from global overcapacity. Welcomed by the European steel industry, which is in a state of survival, but met with skepticism by European carmakers who fear higher production costs. Specifically, the Commission wants to limit tariff-free imports of steel from […]

Tesla’s stripped-down Model 3 and Y cost $5,000 less in US

October 08, 2025

After launching an upgraded “Premium” version of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, Tesla has also introduced a stripped-down “Standard” version of its two core models. They now list at $5,000 less in the US: $36,990 for the Model 3 Standard and $39,990 for the Model Y Standard. Prices for Europe have not […]

Mercedes EV sales are picking up again

October 08, 2025

Mercedes’ electric car sales have fallen year-on-year for six consecutive quarters. The Stuttgart-based company has now reported growth again for the third quarter of 2025, thanks in part to the new CLA. Things are also looking up for vans. Since the first quarter of 2024, Mercedes-Benz has only seen declining electric car sales. That has […]

Renault’s Ampere inaugurates Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory

October 08, 2025

Ampere, Renault’s electric subsidiary, inaugurates its Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory, a center of excellence designed to anticipate technological breakthroughs and strengthen Renault Group’s competitiveness in the electric vehicle sector. Operational since September 30, 2025, in the Lardy Technical Center, this cutting-edge laboratory is fully dedicated to battery cell prototyping and evaluation. It will play a […]

Merz ups pressure on EU Commission regarding ICE ban in 2035

October 07, 2025

The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declared yesterday that he wants the EU Commission to abolish the EU ban on the sale of ICE cars after 2035. “I don’t wish Germany to be one of the countries supporting this bad interdiction,” he said on the TV channel NTV. The pressure of big German car companies like […]

Belgium finally has its national climate plan

October 07, 2025

After more than a year of delays, the Belgian federal government and the regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region have finalized the approval of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP). At the same time, an agreement has also been reached on the distribution of funds from the European Social Climate Fund. Maron: […]

Used car market has become the new normal in Belgium

October 07, 2025

Belgium’s car market is shifting gears. While sales of new vehicles continue to fall, the second-hand sector is gaining ground, increasingly becoming the backbone of automotive sales. Almost two out of three cars registered in Belgium this year were second-hand. According to the mobility federation Traxio, the summer months saw a decline in second-hand sales, […]

Tesla upgrades Model 3 and Y with more range and signal stalk

October 07, 2025

After months of sliding deliveries and growing unease about Elon Musk’s political antics, Tesla is crawling back. The American carmaker has not only retooled its two best-selling models, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, but also recorded a sales recovery during the third quarter of the year. Even in Europe, sales are partly […]

New NMBS/SNCB ticket prices: off-peak hours travelling will be cheaper

October 07, 2025

The announced fare reform at the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB will be launched on October 15. The most significant changes to the ticket offering, the biggest change in 30 years, are fares per kilometer and a discount card. Nothing will change for subscriptions. According to the NMBS/SNCB, the average fare is expected to decrease, […]

Zeekr updates 001 flagship with 900V architecture

October 07, 2025

The Chinese EV brand Zeekr, part of Geely Holding, has announced a new design refresh for its flagship 001 EV model, the second in as many years. This latest upgrade to the 001 features Zeekr’s 900V architecture, enabling better performance and some of the fastest charging speeds we’ve ever seen. The interior also appears quite […]

Belgian ministers of public transport rally behind the Swiss model

October 07, 2025

The Belgian ministers of public transport have long been striving to make Swiss public transport a model for Belgium. Now, progress seems to be being made in implementing some of the ambitions that have made Swiss public transport so successful for many years. Belgium’s four mobility ministers are asking public transport companies to submit a […]

Hip and (very) affordable: the Dacia Hipster Concept (Update)

October 06, 2025

With the Hipster Concept, Renault’s low-cost brand, Dacia, aims to reinvent the future of electric mobility, making it ‘ultra-affordable’ and ‘ultra-essential’. Or, in short, the Dacia way of thinking. And, after some investigative work, we found that the price of a production version could be around €15,000. “Dacia Hipster Concept breaks with automotive conventions and […]

Nissan cancels EV production plans in the U.S.

October 06, 2025

Nissan Motor has announced it is no longer going ahead with plans to produce two new EVs at its Canton plant in Mississippi from late 2028 / early 2029. It will instead examine the production of hybrid SUVs at the plant from 2028. Nissan’s original plans to produce EVs at the plant in 2028 had […]

Dacia revamps compact range, including a hybrid Sandero

October 06, 2025

Dacia, Renault Group’s budget brand, has given its entire compact range a refresher with technology from the larger Duster and Bigster models. Plus, the cheap electric Spring gets a new battery and far more powerful motors, enhancing its usability. While low prices are still a staple at Dacia, the Romanian manufacturer’s model range has become […]

Belgian trade union publishes 11th black book on motorway parking areas

October 06, 2025

The socialist transport workers union BTB-ABVV has once again published a black book on Belgian motorway parking areas. “Unsafe, inadequate, and uncomfortable” is the conclusion of the 11th review, which examined more than 50 parking areas in Belgium and abroad. “It’s high time that policymakers, employers, and clients take responsibility,” says Tom Peeters, deputy federal […]

Belgium’s new road code delayed to 2027

October 06, 2025

Belgium’s long-awaited reform of its road rules will take effect later than planned. The new road code will now come into force on 1 June 2027, or nine months after the previously announced date. According to the Road Safety Institute Vias, the delay stems not from political disagreement over the reform itself, but from coordination […]

Voyah launches Courage SUV EV in the Benelux

October 03, 2025

Voyah Benelux has announced that the new Courage electric SUV is available to order. The company is the importer of Chinese brands, including Voyah, Dongfeng, and Mhero, all of which are issued by the Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Dongfeng is one of the oldest and most significant Chinese car manufacturers, producing approximately 3.5 million vehicles annually. […]

Safer cycling thanks to new helmet technology RLS

October 03, 2025

Much has been written about the possible introduction of compulsory bicycle helmets, but everyone agrees that wearing one protects you better against head injuries in the event of a fall. London-based start-up RLS has recently developed an innovative technology for bicycle helmets that significantly reduces the risk of concussions and traumatic brain injuries in the […]

Low well-being among aviation personnel puts pressure on safety

October 03, 2025

A new study funded by the European Commission and conducted by Ghent University on the working conditions of pilots and cabin crew at airlines in the EU reveals some alarming trends that are not necessarily encouraging for airline passengers. High workloads, fatigue, stress, and feelings of dehumanization are commonplace, and the pressure for efficiency and […]

Dieselgate: agreement VW Group and Winterkorn annulled

October 03, 2025

The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has annulled a resolution of the VW Group General Assembly dating from 2021 stipulating that former CEO Martin Winterkorn had to pay €11.2 million to the company for its responsibility in the gigantic scandal of fraud diesel software commonly known as ‘Dieselgate’. The agreement also foresaw a €4.1 […]

BMW Group wants top innovation for its plants

October 03, 2025

Last Tuesday, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, officially opened the BMW Group plant in Debrecen. The BMW Group’s newest and most innovative production site marks the beginning of a new era for the company. Meanwhile, BMW Group Plant Leipzig is planning a hydrogen pipeline link, paving the way for […]

Heijmans unveils Europe’s first self-driving electric road roller

October 03, 2025

Dutch construction giant Heijmans has launched what it claims to be Europe’s first autonomous electric road roller. The prototype must help tackle labour shortages and cut emissions on infrastructure projects. Heijmans is one of the Netherlands’ biggest construction firms. As part of tightening tender rules, it has been steadily preparing its heavy-duty equipment for zero-emission operations, primarily […]

Fast-charging stations plagued by criminals hunting copper

October 03, 2025

Germany’s growing network of fast-charging stations for electric cars has become an unlikely target for crime. In a worrying trend, thieves are cutting cables for the copper inside. Operators warn of mounting costs and disruption, as the wave of thefts spreads across several regions. With more than 42,000 fast-charging points across Germany, the country boasts […]

Polestar 3 already gets an extensive update with 800V batteries

October 02, 2025

Just over a year after its launch and more than three years after its initial presentation, the Polestar 3 is receiving an extensive update. For the 2026 model year, the electric SUV has become faster in every aspect, from acceleration to charging, and even in terms of processing power. The Polestar 3’s launch, like its […]

ZF to cut 7,600 jobs in restructuring of core powertrain division

October 02, 2025

German car parts supplier ZF has reached a deal with unions and employee representatives to eliminate an additional 7,600 jobs. The cut is part of a restructuring push at its largest business unit. After Bosch announced similar measures, the strains on the automotive supplier industry are mounting. The job-cutting plan from ZF affects Division E, […]

Isuzu D-Max EV arrives in Europe (Update)

October 02, 2025

After unveiling the prototype of its electric one-ton truck last year, Isuzu has commenced production of the D-Max EV in Thailand, with the first models scheduled to arrive in key European markets just now. The UK and other right-hand-drive markets are expected to follow in 2026. In Belgium, pricing starts at €71,015, excluding VAT. While […]

New Eurostar uniforms nod to European cultural diversity and gender neutrality

October 02, 2025

The approximately 2,600 employees of the Eurostar high-speed train service have been sporting new uniforms since yesterday. This is the first comprehensive uniform revamp for the company in over a decade. The 54-piece collection reflects the European spirit and is inspired by the various European cities served by Eurostar. In addition to cultural references to […]

Belux car sales in September show slight decrease of 0.5%

October 02, 2025

According to data from the federal public service Mobility & Transport and sector federation, Febiac, 31,519 new cars were registered in September. Compared to the same month last year, this represents a 0.5% decrease. Overall, registrations fell back 9.2% during the first three quarters of the year, while 323,868 new cars were registered. Febiac expects […]

Smaller Mercedes eActros 400 gets the long-range 600’s tech

October 02, 2025

The mid-size Mercedes eActros 400 has been updated with technology from the larger eActros 600 long-range heavy e-truck. It gets an integrated e-axle, new LFP batteries, and the latest cockpit experience. It also replaces the eActros 300 as the entry-level electric truck in the range. Daimler Truck calls it the second-generation eActros, which not only […]

Most EV drivers complete journeys without recharging en route

October 02, 2025

A Dutch survey analyzing the habits and pain points of EV drivers has successfully separated some facts from fiction about electric driving. It appears that more than half never need to charge their cars while underway, and that the overwhelming majority charge their cars using solar panels. If you’re looking for the real needs of […]

Vias: Half of accidents involving pedestrians do not occur while crossing streets

October 02, 2025

Almost half of incidents involving pedestrians occur when they are on the sidewalk, a bike path, or in a pedestrian zone, and not when they are hit while crossing the street, as is commonly expected. This is according to a new study by the Traffic Safety Institute Vias. Also noteworthy: 1 in 5 accidents or […]

Why electric buses are at the heart of VinFast’s European strategy

October 02, 2025

“We have always considered Europe to be one of our most defining markets, not only because of its economic potential, but also because its ambitions in Europe align with our own vision of a greener, more sustainable future,” said Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Chairman of VinFast. As tangible proof of that commitment, VinFast has […]

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