September 23, 2024
According to the BeMob survey of the FPS Mobility and Transport, thanks to teleworking, 34 million kilometers are avoided daily, including 16 million by car. The survey, carried out between August 2023 and July 2024, questioned more than 4,000 Belgian workers. Almost one-third of Belgian employees (31%) work from home at least one day a […]
September 23, 2024
Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz has revised its annual profit target downward for the second time this year, citing a challenging economic climate, particularly in China. This revised forecast follows a similar downgrade earlier this year due to weak second-quarter results. As the headwinds for German car makers grow stronger by the day, Berlin has set up a […]
September 23, 2024
Resigning Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) has scrapped NMBS/SNCB’s decision not to expand its train offer by the end of this year, the newspaper De Standaard reports. The socialist union considers the Minister’s plan unrealistic, given the staff shortage and delayed equipment deliveries. In early September, news broke that NMBS/SNCB had to scale back its […]
September 23, 2024
After 40 years, Volkswagen is no longer building Polo models in Europe. VW has ended its Polo production in Europe as it shifts its focus to smaller, more affordable EVs. Volkswagen has been building Polo models in Pamplona, Spain, since 1984. Over 8.4 million Polos have been assembled at the Pamplona plant as one of […]
September 23, 2024
The official launch of Smart’s biggest model, the #5, is planned for the end of October, but in China, pre-ordering opened a few days ago at a price of 245,000 yuan, or some 31,200 euros. The #5 was previously tipped to the European market in 2025, costing around €40,000. Still, the possible imposition of new […]
September 20, 2024
On Friday, the Belgian Innoptus Solar Team, the KU Leuven University engineering student team, won the Sasol Solar Challenge. For several days in a row, the competition was neck and neck with the competing team from Twente. The Belgians braved steep slopes and heavy traffic in their final sprint and crossed the finish line with […]
September 20, 2024
An international conference aimed at boosting the revival of nuclear energy is started in Paris under the auspices of the OECD and the Swedish government. About 15 ministers from pro-nuclear countries are participating in the second edition of ‘Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024’, which examines concrete ways to meet global commitments to increase nuclear power […]
September 20, 2024
Due to weak demand for cars with combustion engines, Volkswagen and its partner SAIC could close a factory in China. In the US, the carmaker has had to pause the production of the ID.4. Sales of ICE cars are dropping in the country, while electrified cars, the so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, dominate […]
September 20, 2024
Eurostar, the operator of high-speed trains connecting Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, threatens to stop running trains in the Netherlands by 2025. “Without access to necessary infrastructure, connections to London and Paris will be suspended,” said Eurostar chief Gwendoline Cazenave. In an opinion piece in the Dutch business newspaper ‘Het Financieele Dagblad’, […]
September 20, 2024
Last year, Febelauto, the management body for waste vehicles and industrial batteries, collected almost 150 tons of high-voltage batteries from electric and hybrid cars—or 10% more than in 2022. That number will continue to rise because the number of electrified vehicles brought to market will increase exponentially. All European vehicle manufacturers are legally obligated to […]
September 20, 2024
Electric carmaker NIO has officially launched its ‘affordable’ Onvo brand in China with the L60 crossover, a Tesla Y competitor offered at an incredibly lower price of 149,900 yuan, or some 19,050 euros. That’s without the swappable battery, which is rented under the Battery as a Service (BaaS) option. The 60 kWh battery pack offering […]
September 20, 2024
The European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA) calls for urgent action regarding the EU’s CO2 emission regulations “as demand for EVs declines”. On the other hand, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares again declares that relaxation would be wrong: “My guys are ready to fight.” He gets support from an unexpected side: BMW also says it plans to […]
September 20, 2024
According to the Flemish newspaper De Tijd, the Chinese car manufacturer Nio could be one of the candidates interested in taking over the Audi Brussels plant. However, NIO boss and founder William Li denies this. BYD is also rumored to be an interested party, and Belgium VW importer D’Ieteren which initially owned the factory before […]
September 19, 2024
Some 36 action groups and citizens’ initiatives, united as the Modal Shift Coalition (MSC), want politicians to work harder on the modal shift for Flemish cities with higher quality of life. In other words, there should be more space for pedestrians and cyclists, fewer cars, and more public transport and shared mobility. The call comes […]
September 19, 2024
Newmobility.news reported before that Danish car subscription start-up :Dribe is ogling Belgium to export its fully digital platform to the rest of Europe. Now, the Danish say about one in five (18%) Belgians would consider a car subscription instead of ownership. The latter might have been spurred by the success of Swedish-Chinese Lynk & Co […]
September 19, 2024
Norway has reached the predicted watershed moment, with more electric cars than gasoline vehicles being driven daily. The breakthrough came earlier than expected but follows a month of a record market share of EV registrations. However, diesel vehicles still account for the largest share at approximately 35%. The tip-over was around the corner, as we […]
September 18, 2024
Renault continues to pursue its nostalgic path. It presented the all-electric Estafette van study at IAA Transportation, and the new Renault Master with hydrogen drive was also on display at the same trade fair in Hanover. The Estafette Concept is an electric study intended to evoke memories of Renault’s iconic 1959 van of the same […]
September 18, 2024
On Wednesday, the Environment Committee of the Brussels parliament is considering several proposals to postpone the planned tightening of the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ). The proposal that stands the best chance is that of MR, Les Engagés, PS, and Open Vld to postpone stricter LEZ standards by two years. According to the Brussels administration, a postponement […]
September 18, 2024
On Sunday, Mobility Week concludes in Brussels with Car-Free Sunday. From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., the entire Brussels Region will be closed to unlicensed cars, making the Region once again the largest car-free zone in Europe for one day. The Brussels Region covers 162 square kilometers and comprises 19 municipalities, including the City of […]
September 18, 2024
The Belgian postal company Bpost recently ordered 168 new bike trailers, bringing the total to more than 600 vehicles. Postmen can use them to deliver parcels. The new e-bike trailers, which can accommodate up to fifty parcels and letters and a maximum weight of 150 kilograms, will be delivered in 2025. By 2030, all deliveries […]
September 18, 2024
Dodge has opened ordering in the US for what it calls ‘the world’s first electric muscle car,’ the Charger Daytona EV. Customers can choose from two versions, the Charger R/T and the Charger Scat Pack. The first, with 496 horsepower, starts at $61,590 (€55,350); the Scat Pack’s whopping 670 hp will cost you at least […]
September 18, 2024
BYD is presenting a new electric van tailored to the European market at Hanover’s IAA Transportation trade fair. The E-Vali is BYD’s entry into the electric 3.5 and 4.25-ton segment. The Chinese manufacturer has announced two lengths and two drive options for its electric van aimed at Europe. The shorter 3.5-tonner has a wheelbase of […]
September 17, 2024
Lotus has unveiled Theory 1, its first concept car, which, according to Lotus, embodies the future of intelligent performance vehicles. It’s part of The Lotus Theory, the company’s new design manifesto that will form the foundation for all future Lotus cars, encapsulated through three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analogue (DNA). Digital stands for the […]
September 17, 2024
The Hague will be the first city in the world to ban street advertising for fossil fuel products. The Netherlands’ third-largest city will no longer allow outdoor publicity for products or services contributing to the climate crisis. The ban will take effect on January 1st, 2025. The Hague defines “fossil advertising” as advertising by or […]
September 17, 2024
After reducing its stake in 2021, Mercedes-Benz has now completely exited Denza. This marks the end of a fairly long-standing German-Chinese partnership: in 2011, Daimler and the Chinese car manufacturer BYD founded the joint venture Denza to jointly produce low-cost cars for the Chinese market. The Mercedes-Benz Group is no longer involved in the Chinese […]
September 17, 2024
German Aerospace Center DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfarth) is keeping its ‘feet’ on the ground at IAA Transport in Hanover these days, showing the result of its research into autonomous last-mile delivery, the modular U-Shift concept. It’s basically a U-shaped platform or ‘drive board,’ and the capsules are designed for various purposes, such […]
September 17, 2024
Belgian, West Flanders logistics company Eutraco is buying 50 eActros 600 trucks from Mercedes-Benz, representing an investment of 14 million euros. With that move, the company is electrifying a third of its fleet, making it the first logistics player in Belgium to have such a large fleet of e-trucks, according to the company. “Sustainable transport […]
September 17, 2024
According to an NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) analysis, electric cars are expected to reach a 24% European market share as carmakers grow EV sales to meet the EU CO2 targets. “Car manufacturers have clear pathways to meet their EU climate targets next year due to the expected rapid growth in electric car sales,” says […]
September 17, 2024
At the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hannover, Hyundai launched the first vehicle from its global eLCV platform for European markets in partnership with the Italian multinational transport vehicle manufacturer, IVECO. The Iveco eMoovy combines Hyundai’s EV chassis-cab-based 800-volt platform with a cargo compartment from Iveco. The Italian manufacturer of LCVs and trucks, Iveco and Hyundai, […]
September 16, 2024
The European Commission has approved Belgium’s state aid mechanism of 682 million euros, paving the way for auctioning the first wind farm in the Princess Elisabeth zone in the North Sea. This auction, planned on October 28th, marks a crucial step toward the country’s energy independence and climate neutrality. Wind farm developers will be invited […]
September 16, 2024
Brussels Airlines’ fleet will be expanded with three new A330 long-haul aircraft, the first of which is expected in mid-2025. With four leased short-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines will offer 14% more seats next summer while reserving 100 million euros for brand-new cabins. With 13 jets, the long-haul fleet has never been so large and is […]
September 16, 2024
As the Golden State pushes towards its ambitious carbon neutrality goal, California’s low-income residents can apply for a subsidy incentive to transition to a zero-emission vehicle. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has introduced the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), a supportive aid worth $242 million (€217,5 million) to leverage EV adoption. The program mimics […]
September 16, 2024
Volkswagen has launched its newest Transporter model ahead of the IAA Transportation event, showcasing a van that shares much of its DNA with the Ford Transit. Despite this collaboration, Volkswagen has emphasized that the new Transporter maintains its distinct character, reflecting the brand’s rich legacy while advancing into the electrified vehicle market. The new Transporter, […]
September 16, 2024
Danish logistics company DSV has announced acquiring freight carrier DB Schenker from German rail company Deutsche Bahn for 14.3 billion euros. The companies expect to complete the transaction next year. Once the deal is finalized, after the German government gives it the go-ahead, DSV will become the world’s largest freight forwarder. One of the industry’s […]
September 16, 2024
In China, details of the new Lynk & Co Z20 have prematurely leaked through the Ministry of Industry. The launch should be in Europe in October and in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. This fully electric model is presumed to come to Europe as the Lynk & Co 02, as a second […]
September 16, 2024
In response to the (unofficial) ACEA proposal to the European Commission to delay the 2025 emission targets for two years, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said, “It would be surreal to change the rules now.” “Everyone has known about the rules for a long time and has had time to prepare, and so now it’s time […]
September 13, 2024
Belgian rail network manager Infrabel has launched a new VR movie to ask young people to be careful around railroads. After all, a recent survey showed that 48% of Belgians are willing to walk on the tracks even though safety rules are generally known. In 2023, this led to eleven deaths and nine serious injuries […]
September 13, 2024
BMW Group’s Battery Cel Competence Center (BCCC) in Munich and the University of Zagreb’s Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technology are jointly developing solutions to improve the production of battery cells using Artificial Intelligence. Doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data to identify particular patterns […]
September 13, 2024
In the run-up to International Mobility Week (from 16 to 22 September), SD Worx analyzed regional differences in commuting. The main conclusion? Belgians are European commuting champions and the most geographically mobile employees in Europe. However, the mental limit has been reached. On average, Brussels residents live closest to work. Still, they spend an hour […]
September 13, 2024
According to a new study by research firm Transport&Mobility Leuven (TML), the Belgian bicycle economy is worth nearly a billion euros and has experienced growth of some 90% over the past eight years. Along with the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, Belgium is one of the largest cycling countries in the world. Many car manufacturers see […]
September 13, 2024
Chinese carmakers making inroads with car factories in West Europe are met with warnings from their home administration. Beijing fears technical know-how drainage and a “wrong” reward over import tariffs, so domestic car brands are asked for caution. Despite these flagging signals, BYD will continue constructing its EV plant in Turkey. Beijing has warned its […]
September 13, 2024
Heavy goods vehicles (HGV), increasingly seen on European roads, still represent only 3% of the vehicles but are involved in almost 15% of all EU road fatalities. That’s the main reason why Euro NCAP starts (crash-)testing heavy trucks this autumn to give them a bronze, silver, or gold safety rating. These ratings focus at the […]
September 13, 2024
You can’t have enough leverage in today’s daunting automotive landscape. General Motors, already in a close tie-up with Japanese brand Honda, is adding Hyundai to its list of partners. Both carmakers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a range of potential joint ventures. These include vehicle development, production, and the exploration of […]
September 13, 2024
Early in the morning on Friday, ‘white smoke’ came out of the negotiations between unions and management, which decided the factory would restart next Tuesday—first in the body and paint shop, later in the whole factory. From Tuesday on, the finished Audi Q8 e-trons will start delivering again to the dealerships, and the workers will […]
September 12, 2024
From the end of October, Latin American airline LATAM Cargo is tripling the number of flights at Brussels Airport from four to twelve per week. Cargo activity is also on the rise at Liège Airport, which has gained two new cargo connections, respectively to Hangzhou in China and Oakland in the United States. The tripling […]
September 12, 2024
Wind energy is now the largest source of electricity in the European Union, after nuclear energy. The European Commission announced this on Wednesday in its annual energy report. On the other hand, gas consumption has fallen sharply (-18%). In August, during the energy crisis, the European Union’s countries set a common objective: to voluntarily reduce […]
September 12, 2024
The new Chinese EV brand Jiyue, created by internet services giant Baidu in a joint venture with Geely, has officially launched its second model, the 07 sedan. Its starting price is 209,900 yuan or roughly 26,700 euros. The first ‘owner’ to receive the keys at the launch was Robin Zeng, chairman and CEO of battery […]
September 12, 2024
House searches are taking place at several companies that carry out bus trips for the Flemish public transport companies De Lijn and its Walloon counterpart, TEC. This is reported by the Belgian Competition Authority (BMA). There would be suspicions of price fixing and falsification of public tenders. Which coach companies are involved is not yet […]
September 12, 2024
Mercedes-Benz is betting on solid-state batteries, co-developed with US-based Factorial, for its future electric car range. The companies promise a high energy density of 450 Watt-hours per kilogram that can extend the EV range up to 80%, which, at the same time, is safer, more compact, and cost-efficient to produce. The new battery—Solstice—should be ready […]
September 11, 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) warns in a report published on Tuesday that global methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, continue to rise. The report reveals that human activities are responsible for at least two-thirds of global methane emissions.“The trends are going in exactly the opposite direction of what is needed to maintain a habitable […]
September 11, 2024
Denmark’s subsea CO2 storage facility is ready to receive high volumes of CO2. So reports British chemical company Ineos after receiving a positive final report for the pilot project. Ineos said Denmark now has “a safe and functioning underground storage facility in the North Sea, where CO2 can be permanently stored to combat climate change.” […]
September 11, 2024
Tensions with unions are rising in Wolfsburg. Volkswagen has announced the termination of a 30-year-old job security agreement, signaling a significant shift in its labor policies and setting the stage for potential layoffs starting next July. The main culprits are declining car sales, a disappointing return on investment over low EV adoption, and increased competition. […]
September 11, 2024
Specter, the Belgian manufacturer of specially designed speed pedelecs, has raised two million euros in new capital to expand its activities in Belgium and abroad. In addition to the existing partners, Fundracer Capital—a new party with extensive experience in the micro-mobility and bicycle industry—will invest in the start-up. Maarten Baert, founder and CEO of Specter: […]
September 11, 2024
In the wake of establishing a new European Commission, Italy and Spain are urging officials to revise the policies concerning the scheduled ban on combustion engine sales and the import tariffs for Chinese carmakers. Italy wants to accelerate the planned revision to the 2035 ban, which it calls ‘absurd’, while Spain calls for a less […]
September 11, 2024
The 2023 European EAFO Consumer Monitor, an EU survey among 17,034 non-electric drivers and 2,046 actual BEV drivers in twelve countries, shows that despite the negative press EVs are getting in some countries, most EV drivers are generally satisfied and not willing to go back to fossil. Among non-EV drivers, 57% consider buying one in […]
September 10, 2024
The Brussels holding company D’Ieteren, known among other things as an importer of Volkswagen and car glass repairer Carglass, will eventually, after seven generations, be owned by only one branch of the family: Nicolas D’Ieteren and his investment vehicle, Nayarit. The latter is buying out his nephew Olivier Périer and his holding company, SPDG Group. […]
September 10, 2024
At Schiphol Airport (in the Netherlands), travelers with reduced mobility will be brought to their gate by self-driving wheelchairs. A test experiment with the self-driving wheelchairs was launched in February 2023. Ten autonomous wheelchairs will be deployed starting this week and will be available for the general public to test. The vehicles have a luggage […]
September 10, 2024
After years of much excitement about the ‘hyperloop’, a science-fiction way of transporting people and goods at speeds above 1,000 km in vacuum tubes connecting cities envisioned by Elon Musk, it remained deafening quiet. However, Dutch Hardt Hyperloop, one of the pioneers, announced the first successful test of its hyperloop vehicle at the European Hyperloop […]
September 10, 2024
From October 1st, only 50 km/hour may be driven on the Paris Ring Road. The news was already announced last year, but Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has officially confirmed the speed limit. Remarkably, for the measure intended to reduce pollution for more than half a million inhabitants, Hidalgo is not awaiting the advice of the […]
September 10, 2024
Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt, the flagship start-up in Europe’s quest to catch up with Asian and American battery giants, is drastically revising its operational activities. The company has announced plans to scale back its workforce over a slowdown in electric vehicle sales and intensified competition from China. Northvolt is joining the string of manufacturers tuning […]
