September 12, 2022
Philippe Henry (Ecolo), the Walloon Minister for Climate, Energy, and Mobility, wants a speed reduction on the roads, including 100 km/hour instead of 120 on the highways. But it immediately gets a ‘njet’ by his coalition partners. The proposal is part of the Climate-Energy Plan, which should enable Wallonia to achieve its objectives in the […]
September 12, 2022
Today, bicycle leasing is more popular than ever among Belgian commuters. In the first six months of the year, the number of commuters who used a leased bike to ride to and from work increased by 9,1% compared to last year. Compared to three years ago, it’s an increase of 127,2%. The figures come from […]
September 12, 2022
Thanks to the Bolt, Chevrolet has positioned itself as a pioneer in e-mobility. Now joining the line-up is the Equinox EV, a crossover debuting in the compact category with a price point that blushes the competition. With the Bolt, Silverado EV, and Blazer EV, Chevrolet already has several all-electric cars in its range. The Equinox […]
September 12, 2022
The motor show in Detroit, officially known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will now take place in September and is following a new concept. The media day is next Wednesday, on the 14th of September, and after some professional days, the show opens to the public from 17 to 25 September. Being […]
September 12, 2022
Truck-builder Scania has put itself a deadline for phasing out its turbodiesel engines. It waves the technology goodbye in 2040. Though the company intends to replace them primarily with battery-powered trucks, it keeps the door ajar for hydrogen fuel cells. 2040 is still a long way to go. CEO of Scania Group Christian Levin proudly […]
September 12, 2022
Now that life has become so expensive with the peaking energy prices, Minister of Justice, Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld), wants to introduce a more viable way to pay fines, several Belgian newspapers write. Soon, penalties will be payable in installments, the Minister promises. The Ministry of Justice understands that people have payment issues now […]
September 12, 2022
BMW’s electric models will, starting mid-2023, allow to charge at public chargers from different providers without the need to use a card or specific app. Just ‘Plug & Charge’ as the feature from Hubject’s international eRoaming platform is called, which is gaining momentum with car manufacturers and charge point operators. You will be able to […]
September 09, 2022
Jeep is finally getting serious about its EV strategy. The American SUV brand unveiled not one but three BEV models as part of an all-electric offensive that starts in 2023. The company says it will have four all-electric SUVs in its European and North-American showrooms two years later but remains tight-lipped about the fourth model. […]
September 09, 2022
By the middle of this decade, Mercedes-Benz Vans stated that all newly introduced vans would be electric only. And looking beyond that date, it will build large electric vans in Europe together with American startup Rivian. For this, both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and will set up a 50/50 joint venture for […]
September 09, 2022
Cycling is becoming more and more popular in Belgium. In all regions and among all age categories. And not only for recreational purposes. The use of the electric bike has increased by 56% since 2019. However, today, also traditional bikes score better than two years ago (from 41 to 45%). After an earlier survey in […]
September 09, 2022
BMW will introduce its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023. The German premium car manufacturer will replace raw materials of animal origin with innovative, bio-based materials for steering wheel surfaces, among others. The fully vegan interiors will be available for both BMW and MINI models as of 2023. BMW wants to increase sustainability […]
September 09, 2022
The municipality of Uccle wants to ban the parking of shared e-scooters on its territory temporarily. So says the newspaper Le Soir. Mayor Boris Dilliès (MR) and his municipality seek the appropriate legal remedy. The mayor is tired of the delay in Brussels legislation. Mr. Dilliès has already demarcated several zones where the steps may […]
September 09, 2022
German car manufacturer Opel, part of the Stellantis Group, plans to reduce its workforce by 1 000 jobs. A voluntary redundancy plan has been started that allows employees to retire early or get a payout. This was not the first round of redundancies at Opel. Two years ago, 2 100 additional jobs in Germany were […]
September 09, 2022
The BMW Group is set to launch a new era of e-mobility from models of its ‘Neumodels e Klasse’ using newly-developed round battery cells optimized for the new architecture. “The newly-developed sixth generation of our lithium-ion cells will bring a huge leap in technology that will increase energy density by more than 20%, improve charging […]
September 08, 2022
In Auderghem yesterday, on the International Day of Clean Air, Brussels Minister for the Environment Alain Maron (Ecolo) officially opened the doors of the new Air Quality laboratory of Brussels Environment. The laboratory has been completely renovated to have the most accurate and reliable data possible to combat air pollution effectively, following the values and […]
September 08, 2022
Kia announces that they are starting a collaboration with a Deutsche Bahn start-up to develop energy storage systems, reusing the battery modules of the Kia e-Soul. The start-up encore/DB already operates a take-back service for used batteries from electric vehicles. Kia says, as one of the main suppliers of electric vehicles in the European market, […]
September 08, 2022
The sky-rocketing gas prices are making another victim. As a raw material for the production of AdBlue, Germany’s biggest manufacturer of the additive SKW, Piesteritz warns of a shortage. The projected bottleneck could severely impact the logistics sector. The urea-based fluid AdBlue became a prerequisite for trucks and passenger vehicles with the Euro 6 norms […]
September 08, 2022
After being successful for some years already in Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen, and at the airports of Zaventem, Charleroi, and Antwerp, Poppy Mobility is expanding its shared mobility services again. The D’Ieteren daughter now descends on Ghent’s territory. Poppy will start with the introduction of 80 free-floating vehicles, but other services will follow. Four and a […]
September 08, 2022
Austrian start-up Aviloo has developed a unique certified health check for batteries of second-hand EVs, measuring with 100% accuracy how much the battery has degraded from its new state. German ADAC and its Dutch peer ANWB, among others, are convinced of the quality and offer the Austrian test to their members. But you can access […]
September 08, 2022
Nissan acquires an essential stake in battery manufacturer Vehicle Energy Japan. Following the transaction, the company will become a subsidiary of Nissan, in which existing shareholders like Maxell and Hitachi Astemo will also have a stake. After selling its majority stake in battery producer AESC in 2018, Nissan is returning to its own battery production. […]
September 07, 2022
After a successful pilot project in a few Belgian train stations last year, the national railway company NMBS/SNCB wants to expand its collect system for fresh groceries to more than fifty stations in Belgium. NMBS/SNCB intends to launch the concept by spring next year and is looking for candidate distributors to deliver fresh food. The […]
September 07, 2022
In August, 1849 new speed pedelecs were registered, 77% more than last year. So far, the market for speed pedelecs has increased by 34,6% compared to the first eight months of last year (11 717 units against 8 705). Also, second-hand is doing very well: the market rose 130%. “The registrations of speed pedelecs this […]
September 07, 2022
Passengers of Lufthansa Group’s airlines no longer must queue up at the check-in desk in the departure hall of Brussels Airport to have their suitcases labeled and taken to the aircraft. Instead, thanks to a new baggage drop-off system, they can now carry out this procedure themselves, the airline and the airport have announced. The […]
September 07, 2022
The number of company cars in Belgium is growing steadily. The total increase in Belgium compared to 2019 is 7%. The human resources provider, Securex, conducted a survey among 39 000 employees and analyzed the ongoing trends. Today, more than one quarter (27,3%) of Flemish employees have a company car, or 2,7% more than in […]
September 07, 2022
The Flemish axial flux electric motor developer Magnax has closed a new financing round of € 20 million. The money will be used to accelerate product development, enlarge the engineering team and expand support for customers and partners. “In the EV space, e-Motor technology is evolving rapidly,” says co-founder Daan Moreels. OEMsrecognizeg the very interesting […]
September 06, 2022
Nissan presented on Tuesday its all-new ‘electrified’ X-Trail, the fourth generation of its successful SUV, which sold seven million worldwide. And it inherited Nissan’s self-willed e-Power drivetrain it first introduced in the Note in Japan and later in the Qashqai in Europe. Available from November with prices ranging from €45 300 to €55 350. ‘Self-willed’ […]
September 06, 2022
At the Mobility and the Future Mobility Summit in early September 2022, Mercedes is showing four improvements for its technology demonstrator ‘Sustaineer’ based on the Mercedes e-Sprinter. Those make the van more energy-efficient and ecological but also consider the driver’s comfort. The Sustaineer, which stands for Sustainable Pioneer, was first shown a year ago and […]
September 06, 2022
The French government has asked public railway company SNCF to save energy but not to run fewer trains this winter in the event of a power shortage. SNCF is energy supplier EDF’s leading industrial customer, with 1% to 2% of total French electricity consumption. It has been stepping up its efforts to reduce energy consumption […]
September 06, 2022
The 100th-anniversary edition of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS) will be held from 14 to 22 January 2023. Organizer Febiac proudly announces that already 18 of the 20 most important brands on the Belgian market have confirmed their participation. Others can still jump in… The Brussels Motor Show has always been one of the major […]
September 06, 2022
French RoRo-ferry company La Méridionale has equipped as the world’s first one of its ships, the Piana, linking Marseille with the Ile of Corsica, with a diesel particle filter. It eliminates up to 99,9% of fine particulate matter and 99% of sulfur emissions. Today there are no regulations for ships on these particles, known to […]
September 06, 2022
The Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD), is planning to increase the frequently occurring traffic offenses by almost 8,6%. The prices rise with inflation, as is the case for other products. However, some fines will not exceed the upper limit of 450 euros. What does this price rise in real terms mean? […]
September 06, 2022
The board of the VW Group approved Porsche AG’s IPO when the capital market’s evolution is not disturbed too much. The Board of Surveillance of the Group has also agreed. The actual Initial Public Offering is scheduled for the end of the year; from the end of September on will be given by the intention […]
September 06, 2022
British niche builder Ariel has jumped on the electric bandwagon. But, as can be expected from the brand that previously stupefied the automotive business with the mind-blowing Atom, it chooses an entirely different path once again. As a result, the Hipercar looks spectacularly awkward, and a gas turbine assists its battery pack as a range […]
September 06, 2022
On August, 28 917 cars have been sold in Belgium and Luxembourg, a 7% increase after 14 months of regress. Of course, this can’t compensate for the lesser figures in the cumulated first eight months of the year (-12,7%), but it’s a sparkle of hope for the sector. We can observe the same tendency in […]
September 06, 2022
Federal Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) wants to abolish VAT on public transport tickets. This is what the newspaper L’Avenir reports. Gilkinet says that he put this measure on the table during the preparation of the Consultation Committee on energy prices last week. The measure would cost just under 100 million euros. “For the […]
September 06, 2022
Belgium has to focus more on transport via rail and waterways. That is one of the conclusions of the latest Mobility Report 2022 from the Mobility Council (Mobiliteitsraad, MORA). “The transport sector surely has put efforts into promoting inland shipping and rail transport but not enough to realize the modal shift,” says Tim Buyse, MORA’s […]
September 05, 2022
In a YouTube video dubbed ‘Roaring in California’, Italian sports car brand Maserati has unveiled the GranTurismo Folgore alongside some preliminary specifications. Together with the pure electric Grecale, this 2+2-seater will kickstart Maserati’s electric offensive as of next year but will probably come sooner than the compact crossover. The final design of the Gran Turismo […]
September 05, 2022
According to Jato Dynamic’s latest figures for car registrations in Europe, July 2022 was marked by new vehicle registrations continued to fall by 10 percent to 866 038 units. BEVs accounted for 10,4% of total registrations while PHEVs further lost ground, ‘no longer qualifying for a number of incentives across Europe.’ Year-to-date sales of new […]
September 05, 2022
In the last twelve months, the police conducted alcohol tests among more than 322 000 drivers. Almost 2,5% of 7 972 motorists tested positive. The lowest number in five years, according to traffic safety institute Vias. Still, the federal police put these results into perspective. “We’ll only be happy when the number of drunk drivers […]
September 05, 2022
AXA is joining the list of insurance companies pointing at the higher accident rate with electric cars. A probe from their Swiss department unveiled that EV drivers are 50% more involved in accidents due to inappropriate driving behavior. But ‘fake’ images of a burning Tesla, which turned out not to have a battery and the […]
September 05, 2022
As of today, a subscription to one of the park-and-ride car parks in the outskirts of Brussels will be completely free for commuters who use transport in this way. The Brussels parking agency parking.brussels has announced this. The prices for bicycle parking in a Cycloparking will also go down significantly, namely by three quarters The […]
September 02, 2022
It’s no surprise the range of an electric car is influenced by the extra weight or wind it’s catching with a trailer or a caravan behind the car or extras on the rooftop. But how much exactly? German automobile organization ADAC did the test: a caravan cuts your range in half, and two bikes on […]
September 02, 2022
As of Thursday, September 1st, Oliver Blume acts as CEO of both Porsche and the Volkswagen Group. He succeeds Herbert Diess as announced and sets the course right from the start. German media has learned that Blume will reduce the Board of Management to take decisions more quickly. Specifically, this concerns Hildegard Wortmann (Sales) and […]
September 02, 2022
Since Thursday morning, motorbike and scooter users must pay to park in Paris. Two companies have been dispatched to track down offenders. Paris has been working for some time to reduce motorized traffic in favor of cyclists and pedestrians. The measure is difficult to digest for the motorcycle community. “We have to get out of […]
September 02, 2022
Taiwanese electronics producer Foxconn, well-known for its collaboration with Apple, has unwrapped its first car. The Luxgen N7 is a seven-seater, all-electric crossover debuting on Asian markets in October. However, technical details remain sparse. Foxconn’s automotive branch is called Foxtron and showcased three concepts a year ago, featuring a crossover (Model C), a sedan (Model […]
September 02, 2022
The federal mobility budget, introduced for employees as an alternative to their company cars, is not really persuasive. A survey by SD Worx shows that three years after its introduction, hardly 2% of Flemish employers offer their employees this sustainable mobility solution. In Brussels, the formula is slightly more popular (8%), while in Wallonia, less […]
September 02, 2022
Celebrating five million Subaru’s equipped with its driver assistant system EyeSight, the Japanese car maker sheds some light on the performance and the future of its intelligent aid, pioneered in 2008 with stereo camera technology. Worldwide, nine out of ten Subaru’s are equipped with EyeSight, a detecting camera in an impressive housing just underneath the […]
September 02, 2022
There were few doubts Polestar’s electric roadster would appeal to many: the 500 limited edition versions of the Polestar 6 LA Concept are ‘sold out’ in less than a week. Later this year, reservations for the regular version will open. Finally, hostilities broke off after three years, and the way is cleared for Polestar in […]
September 01, 2022
German airline Lufthansa is missing out on the take-over of ITA, the successor to Alitalia. The Italian government withheld the bid of the American investment company Certares, together with airlines Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines. Exclusive negotiations for the take-over are now being started with the latter parties. Lufthansa has submitted a bid together […]
September 01, 2022
Poppy, the 100% Belgian shared mobility provider from D’Ieteren, will launch more than 1 500 shared e-scooters in Brussels. It’s the only app in Brussels to offer shared cars, vans, and e-scooters. In hardly four years, Poppy built up a fleet of 750 shared cars, and 2 000 shared e-scooters in cities like Antwerp, Brussels, […]
September 01, 2022
Further details have emerged on Renault’s revision of its business operations in the wake of the electric transition. According to press agency Reuters, Ampère will be the new entity overseeing the all-electric range, while matters concerning combustion engines will reside under a branch called Horse. Moreover, Renault intends to keep only a stake of 40% […]
September 01, 2022
As of today, the new CEO of Renault Brand Belux and Renault Belgium Luxembourg is Martin Domise. He is the successor to Jérôme Pannaud, who has been in charge of the region for four years. Martin Domise was born in Amiens (northwest of France) in 1989 and studied at the famous commercial school HEC in […]
September 01, 2022
The city of Sint-Niklaas launches an original initiative: local authorities and an officially recognized driving school will organize free driving lessons for drivers who are afraid of entering underground parking lots. Hesitating motorists will get practical tips and tricks to overcome their underground parking anxiety. Parking facilities in Sint-Niklaas are not fully taken advantage of. […]
September 01, 2022
Belgian gas network operator Fluxys, already preparing a future on hydrogen as an alternative ‘clean’ energy source, is studying the feasibility of creating a gas terminal in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to import green ammonia massively. Ammonia, which can be transported easily in liquified form, is considered a good hydrogen carrier but can also be […]
September 01, 2022
Toyota, the world’s number one car manufacturer, has announced that it will invest 5,3 billion euros in launching its own battery production. The plants will be built in Japan and the US, and production will start between 2024 and 2026. The investment is partially included in the big investment envelope that Toyota decided on last […]
September 01, 2022
The roll-out of 10 000 extra charging points in the public domain in Flanders – on demand for those who don’t have the means to charge an EV at home – will be realized in the next two years by French energy giants Engie and TotalEnergies. They won the public tender, which divides Flanders into […]
August 31, 2022
BMW kicked off on Wednesday its fuel cell system production for the iX5 Hydrogen at the company’s competence center for hydrogen in Munich. The individual fuel cells are supplied by Toyota, while BMW mounts them into complete stacks in a fully automated process, and finally fits all the other components for the first limited series […]
August 31, 2022
The number of traffic deaths on Belgian roads increased by 39% in the first half of the year. During the first six months, 231 people died in traffic, almost as many as before the corona pandemic. The figures come from the latest traffic safety barometer, based on data from the Federal Police and recently published […]
August 31, 2022
With a new boss, Klaus Zellmer, taking the wheel in July, Czech VW-daughter Škoda molts old notions and gears up its (electric) vision: a new modern design language, a new logo, and what it calls ‘a comprehensive corporate identity update’. The Škoda Vision 7S concept presented Tuesday evening, a full electric seven-seater EV with a […]
August 31, 2022
With one car from the Cambio shared car company, there are about 13 fewer private cars on the public roads. In Flanders, Cambio is thus replacing 13 700 private cars, and for the whole of Belgium, we are talking about no fewer than 27 230 cars. This is what the company itself says after a […]
