January 30, 2026
Occupying a public charging station indefinitely without charging will be punished. Drivers who fail to respect charging station etiquette risk a hefty bill. The measure is already being implemented in Antwerp; Ghent and Brussels are following. After Antwerp introduced the so-called ‘rotation tariff’, Ghent and Brussels are also adopting the measure to deter users who leave […]
January 30, 2026
Antwerp’s industry gets an electric jolt. Windrose, a little-known Chinese electric truck startup with outsized ambitions, has chosen the Belgian port city as the site of its first European factory. With promises of thousands of vehicles, hundreds of jobs, and a streamlined supply chain linking China, Belgium, and France, the decision marks a breakthrough after […]
January 30, 2026
Lucid Motors finished highest in Norway’s flagship winter range test organised by the national automobile association NAF. Once again, after claiming the summer test last year. However, in record-low temperatures, even the longest-running model fell dramatically short of its official range. The Lucid Air Grand Touring covered just over 519 kilometres before it was forced […]
January 30, 2026
Renault brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive, who is also the Group’s Chief Growth Officer, is seeking growth outside Europe, particularly in Brazil, India, Morocco, South Korea, and Turkey. Key projects include the launch of the Boreal compact crossover in Brazil, the Filante midsize SUV in South Korea, and the start of local production of the Duster […]
January 30, 2026
Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR) has defended himself in parliament against criticism that he is not taking enough action on nuclear issues. Nothing concrete came of it, but according to Bihet, discussions are underway with operators and owners of nuclear power plants, and there are investors “interested in extending the maximum number of reactors, […]
January 29, 2026
In Wallonia, there are an average of 32 secondary accidents per year, resulting in 57 victims, including 3 fatalities. A secondary accident occurs when other road users collide with the scene of a crash or with people involved, such as drivers who get out of their cars, witnesses, or emergency responders. In a campaign, the […]
January 29, 2026
The ACEA’s EU commercial vehicle registration numbers for 2025 are in, and the results are not good. The overall market has dropped significantly compared to 2024, albeit not as much as feared in the first half of the year. Only the bus market has grown, while electric alternatives are slowly gaining market share. After Q2 […]
January 29, 2026
On Wednesday, Wallbox, a global provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, announced a new partnership with Eneco eMobility, one of the top three providers of smart charging stations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to support the continued scaling of commercial EV infrastructure. Under the deal, Wallbox will supply its commercial AC charger, called ‘eM4 Twin’, for initial […]
January 29, 2026
The Dutch government has done far too little to protect the inhabitants of Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands, from the consequences of climate change. The cabinet must therefore develop a concrete plan to protect Bonaire’s residents better. Furthermore, the government must establish “clear and binding” targets within eighteen months to reduce […]
January 29, 2026
China has issued its first mandatory national standard for automatic emergency braking (AEB), making the system compulsory for all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from 2028 onwards. The move introduces a formal nationwide safety baseline in the world’s largest car market, but comes several years after comparable requirements were already enforced in Europe. […]
January 29, 2026
Ghent-based Joule, a subsidiary of the Brussels-based holding company D’Ieteren, is now the exclusive bicycle leasing company for the federal government. By winning the public tender, it will have the opportunity to lease bicycles to some 70,000 federal servants. This is the first time that bicycle leasing has been rolled out on such a large […]
January 29, 2026
A near-50% profit slump in 2025 forces Elon Musk to redraw the company’s future. He is using the end of Tesla’s two original flagships to underline a decisive strategic shift: away from low-volume luxury cars and toward autonomy, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robotics. Tesla’s decision to discontinue the Model S and Model X comes at […]
January 29, 2026
The German automaker has announced several model updates for spring 2026. Among other changes, the two all-electric models, iX1 and iX2, will receive new SiC inverters that reduce consumption and enable longer ranges. Additionally, the new iX3 now offers a 22-kW charger. Shortly after the BMW brand Mini revealed minor efficiency-enhancing updates for its electric […]
January 28, 2026
Belgium has raised its ambitions in its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), but still needs to make further efforts in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the coming years. But for the time being, the country will not be presented with a multi-million dollar bill. If an EU member state fails to reduce its CO2 […]
January 28, 2026
Daimler has presented its second-generation hydrogen prototype truck, the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2. It succeeds the previous iteration, unveiled in 2020, with components taken from the eActros 600 to improve efficiency, while keeping the same liquid hydrogen-based architecture. The Mercedes GenH2 was first unveiled in 2020, using liquid hydrogen rather than high-pressure gaseous H2 to increase energy […]
January 28, 2026
A small ‘dunkelflaute’ hanging over Belgium is causing electricity prices to spike. The term ‘dunkelflaute’, a combination of the German words ‘dunkel’, meaning ‘dark’, and ‘Flaute’, meaning ‘lull’, describes the simultaneous occurrence of darkness and a lull in wind activity. Dunkelflautes occur several times every winter in Northwestern Europe. They usually last 1–3 days. The phenomenon […]
January 28, 2026
Chinese carmaker Chery has unveiled the Rely R08 EV, its first fully electric pickup truck under its wholly owned brand, marking a notable step into a segment that remains small but strategically important in Europe. A segment traditionally ruled by the Toyota Hilux, alongside models such as the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Volkswagen Amarok. Launched […]
January 28, 2026
Since 2024, Mini has offered an electric SUV with the Countryman Electric. Now, the ‘British’ BMW Group brand has slightly modernized the drivetrain technology, enabling the Countryman E to exceed 500 kilometers of WLTP range for the first time. Mini first unveiled the fully electric Countryman at the IAA in Munich in 2023, and since […]
January 28, 2026
Dacia will continue to sell the Spring alongside its upcoming Renault Twingo-based EV, making it the only firm to offer two affordable, electric city cars at once. Dacia product boss Patrice Lévy-Bencheton, speaking to the English car magazine Autocar, explained that the two cars can coexist even though they are both A-segment EVs. “They are still […]
January 27, 2026
With the introduction of the F-Line E, Ford marks its long-awaited entry into Europe’s electric heavy-truck market. The F-Line E, first unveiled to the public at the Solutrans commercial vehicle show in Lyon in late 2025, is positioned as a regional and urban workhorse rather than a long-haul flagship. Scheduled for rollout in 2026, it […]
January 27, 2026
Last Monday, the countries bordering the North Sea, together with grid operators and the offshore wind industry, signed a new investment pact to relaunch and expand offshore wind power generation in the North Sea after several years of failed auctions and investor pullback. The pact agreed to during a summit in Hamburg includes connecting offshore wind […]
January 27, 2026
Irish budget airline Ryanair saw its profits fall by no less than 80% last quarter due to a fine of more than 255 million euros imposed by the Italian competition authority in December. Profit after tax amounted to 30 million euros in the three months to the end of December. A year earlier, profits stood […]
January 27, 2026
In the battle for China’s car market, the high ground remains occupied. While Western carmakers have been steadily losing share in the broader landscape — overtaken in many segments by aggressive, fast-rising domestic rivals — their dominance at the very top of the market is proving stubbornly resilient. New data on 2025’s best-selling ultra-luxury vehicles […]
January 27, 2026
In 2025, new EU car registrations increased by 1.8% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Association of European Car Manufacturers ACEA. However, overall volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels. In December, the EU’s new-car market grew by 5.8%. The battery-electric car market share reached 17.4%, in line with projections […]
January 27, 2026
Carmakers across Europe have been granted breathing room to meet their CO2 targets. Some of the industry’s biggest names—most notably Volkswagen—were spared from facing hefty fines. The acceleration of EV sales last year, now at almost 20% of registrations, helped buy them some extra time. According to a report by the ICCT (International Council on […]
January 26, 2026
The company car system in Belgium is a unique phenomenon. And although the system is popular with users, it also attracts significant criticism, partly because it costs 4 billion euros a year. Brussels Groen leader and Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt wants this tax money used to fund train passes costing €12 […]
January 26, 2026
Of all those who had to retake their practical driving test last year (for example, after being revoked for driving under the influence), one in three candidates failed. The pass rate for the theoretical retest was even lower, GOCA Vlaanderen, the sector federation of vehicle inspection and driving licence examination centers, explains. In Belgium, drivers whose licence […]
January 26, 2026
The geopolitical changes seem to be ending the lifecycle of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt prematurely. With the dismissal of EV incentives, the SUV will be discontinued in 2027 and replaced by two internal combustion engine models that GM currently builds in China. The electric crossover Bolt has just begun arriving at U.S. dealerships, but its […]
January 26, 2026
Guangzhou Shipyard International has launched the world’s largest car carrier to date, capable of transporting 10,800 vehicles. The LNG dual-fuel vessel is surpassing the previous generation of 9,000–9,500-car ships that only recently seemed enormous, and it’s intended for South Korean Hyundai. On the surface, it is a story about scale and engineering. Underneath, it is […]
January 26, 2026
Geely, the Chinese group behind brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Zeekr, just announced that it will complete its first in-house all-solid-state battery pack in 2026 and start testing it in cars. It reignites one of the electric car industry’s most persistent promises: a battery that charges faster, goes further, and is safer than […]
January 26, 2026
Throughout the week, fewer trains than usual will be running in Belgium due to a new five-day rail strike that began on Sunday evening. The national solidarity action in Brussels against the socio-economic policy of the current Arizona coalition government may also disrupt various bus, tram, and metro lines operated by De Lijn in Flanders, MIVB/STIB […]
January 26, 2026
The American car manufacturer Ford has appointed Christian Weingärtner, effective February 1, to the newly created position of General Manager, Passenger Vehicles, Ford Europe. In his new role, Weingärtner will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational implementation of Ford’s passenger vehicle business in Europe. He will also oversee the introduction of a new […]
January 26, 2026
Nissan announced Friday that it has reached an agreement with Chery for Chery to acquire its production assets in Rosslyn, Pretoria (South Africa). Chery South Africa will acquire the land, buildings, and related assets of the Nissan plant, including its nearby stamping facility, by mid-year. “Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa […]
January 23, 2026
It’s not a title to be proud of, and certainly not something to boast about to visitors or travelers, but of the approximately 140 major train stations in Belgium, Genk remains the least punctual. The Limburg station is also the only one where, on average, more than two in ten trains were delayed by at […]
January 23, 2026
Thirty times more money goes to destroying nature than to conserving it. In other words, for every US dollar the world invests in protecting nature, it spends $30 on destroying it. This stark imbalance is the central finding of a new UN Environment Program (UNEP) ‘State of Finance for Nature 2026’ report released on Thursday. It […]
January 23, 2026
French car manufacturer Renault Group intends to reintegrate its electric vehicle division Ampere into the main company. It was spun off in 2023, and a planned IPO for Ampere had already been halted some time ago. With a new CEO at the helm, François Provost, Renault is apparently reassessing the situation. This is reported by […]
January 23, 2026
According to Germany’s largest union, the ID. 4’s update will also affect its name. In the wake of the earlier announced return of the well-known family names, it will be labeled ID. Tiguan. It must help its recent electric sales surge in Europe and turn it into a more durable recovery. At a higher management […]
January 23, 2026
According to the German news magazine Der Spiegel, German premium car manufacturers BMW and Mercedes-Benz have received significantly more pre-orders for their competing new electric SUVs than expected. As a result, both manufacturers are accelerating production of their ‘electric SUVs of a new era’, the BMW iX3, the first member of the ‘Neue Klasse’, and […]
January 23, 2026
The Flemish public transport company De Lijn is deploying two autonomous shuttles in Leuven (Louvain). They will operate on line 16, the new line connecting the train station with the station and the borough of Heverlee. According to De Lijn, this is a European first for a public transport company. The Leuven-Heverlee route is approximately 4 […]
January 23, 2026
RetailSonar, a Ghent-based location-intelligence firm best known for advising retailers where to place physical sites, has turned its modelling tools on a new kind of storefront: the public EV charging station. After two years of analysis supported by Flemish and European innovation funding, the firm concludes that the region’s public charging network will need to […]
January 22, 2026
A recent study by the American investment bank Jefferies estimates that the four largest American Airlines could save as much as 580 million dollars per year in fuel costs if passengers weighed less. The study approaches the weight issue from a surprising angle, namely the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on often controversial weight loss drugs […]
January 22, 2026
The city of Amsterdam wants to ban sea cruises from 2035 onward. The Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) must disappear. It is one of the most far-reaching decisions taken by a major European port city in the debate over cruise tourism, air pollution, and urban space. The departure of the terminal has “clear advantages for sustainability and the […]
January 22, 2026
A new ‘Italian-built’ and fully electric sports car is set to come to life. The SC01, a lightweight, two-seat electric sports car developed by a little-known Chinese start-up, is now preparing for a limited European launch and intends to do so by assembling the car in Italy. Production will be deliberately limited to around 1,000 […]
January 22, 2026
The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB is launching Mobi 2.0, its updated AI chatbot. The virtual assistant is designed to help train passengers with questions about their journey 24/7. According to NMBS/SNCB, the revamped virtual assistant answers 90% of all questions correctly. The railway company says that it is one of the first large-scale GenAI […]
January 22, 2026
Figures have already shown this, and the Belgian Vias traffic institute confirms it again: road safety is not gender-neutral. Men die on the road far more often than women. Women, meanwhile, face different — and often overlooked — dangers in daily mobility. In Belgium, nearly eight out of ten traffic fatalities are men. That ratio […]
January 22, 2026
With the world premiere of the Volvo EX60 in Sweden — its longest-range and fastest-charging model to date — Volvo Cars has launched far more than a new electric SUV. It marks a strategic turning point for the brand. The EX60 is designed as the cornerstone of Volvo’s next phase: a high-volume, fully electric model […]
January 22, 2026
Over 75 e-mobility leaders convened in Strasbourg on Wednesday, urging the EU Parliament to deliver regulatory certainty by 2035, not further dilution. More than 75 senior industry leaders from the Take Charge Europe campaign met Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg with a clear message: strong, clean targets are essential for Europe’s electric […]
January 21, 2026
2025 was, once again, the year of traffic jams. Never before had Flemish people spent more time stuck in traffic than last year. All vehicles together lost an average of almost 105,000 hours per day in traffic jams. This marks the first time the 100,000-hour mark has been surpassed. The figures come from the Flemish Traffic Center […]
January 21, 2026
DAF has expanded its electric truck range with the XG(+) Electric. It features the same drivetrain as the long-range XF Electric, but adds a more spacious cabin built for driver comfort. Multiple drivetrain options and chassis configurations are available. On the back of the DAF XD and XF Electric winning the International Truck of the […]
January 21, 2026
The new Seabob SE63 for Automobili Lamborghini is set to raise the bar for water toys on superyachts. It is the result of a brand collaboration between the VW Group sports car daughter and the German manufacturer Cayago AG. This new high-performance water toy is the result of a brand collaboration between Cayago AG, the […]
January 21, 2026
Since the end of last year, passengers with reduced mobility have been able to request assistance at 24 additional NMBS/SNCB-operated stations. This brings the number of stations where this is possible to 174, or approximately one in three, as NMBS/SNCB manages around 555 train stations in Belgium. The stations concerned are Aalter, Antwerp-Luchtbal, Arcaden, Barvaux, […]
January 21, 2026
Kia’s popular crossover, the Niro, is getting a pretty comprehensive facelift in March, bringing it more in line with the rest of the range. But the 2026 Niro will likely be hybrid-only, as the more modern Kia EV3 has taken the Niro EV’s place. The second-gen Kia Niro hit global markets in 2022, bringing to […]
January 21, 2026
There is currently a remarkable mudslinging match going on between Starlink and Tesla owner Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair. What began as a business discussion about Wi-Fi on board airplanes has escalated into personal insults and even a laconic threat from Musk to buy Ryanair. […]
January 21, 2026
In an earlier contribution, we already discussed the relatively good sales figures of the Renault brand and the Renault Group in a challenging environment. Today, we put the spotlight on Renault’s daughters Dacia and Alpine. There are also persistent, indirectly confirmed rumors that the Renault Group will produce drones for the French Army. Dacia: 10 […]
January 21, 2026
Swedish-Chinese EV brand Zeekr filed regulatory documents in China for the new 8X, a large plug-in hybrid SUV with up to 300 km WLTP range, marking a strategic pivot for a brand that built its identity in Europe almost exclusively around full battery-electric vehicles. Yet, at a time when European policy, Belgian taxation, and an […]
January 20, 2026
Smart has named Germany head Wolfgang Ufer as its next Europe chief. Ufer is a long-serving insider who has now been tasked with stabilizing a brand under pressure from tariffs, falling registrations, and an increasingly crowded electric vehicle market. Smart said Ufer will take over leadership of its European operations in March. He succeeds Dirk […]
January 20, 2026
Last year, Brussels Mobility counted approximately 12% more cyclists on cycle paths in the Brussels Capital Region. The increase is greatest on weekdays, at +13%, which drops to +7% at weekends. Meanwhile, cyclists and e-scooter riders are also anxiously awaiting the ban on bicycles and e-scooters in the Anspachlaan/Boulevard Anspach pedestrian zone, which is awaiting political […]
January 20, 2026
French railway company SNCF has ordered 15 new high-speed trains from train manufacturer Alstom. The additional trains will be used to expand services between France and Belgium, particularly between major French cities and Brussels. The order is worth 600 million euros. Alstom’s Avelia Horizon very high-speed train is the only double-decker train in the world capable […]
January 20, 2026
Germany is bringing back purchase incentives for electric vehicles. The country seeks to reboot private demand after a sharp market slowdown, giving its domestic auto sector some breathing room. Germany’s federal government has outlined a new subsidy program that will offer buyers between 1,500 euros and 6,000 euros toward the purchase of electric and certain plug-in […]
January 20, 2026
The Renault brand delivered a strong performance in 2025, with 1,628,030 vehicles sold worldwide (+3.2% increase PC+LCV vs 2024), driven by a 10% increase in global passenger car sales (1,292,000 units). “This marks the third consecutive year of growth for the Renault brand, confirming the consistency and success of its commercial strategy, with steady and […]
