Traxio: ‘Motorcycle sector records its best season start since 2021’

April 16, 2026

The Belgian market for new motorcycles concludes the first quarter with distinctly positive momentum. With 6,990 registrations compared to 5,694 in 2025 (+22.8%), the sector records its best start to the season since 2021. In March 2026 alone, 3,169 motorcycles were registered. That is +10.2% compared to March 2025 and +5.5% above the average for […]

VW makes ID.3 Neo official: up to 630 km of range

April 16, 2026

Volkswagen has officially pulled the wraps off the ID.3 Neo at a world premiere in Hamburg, with pre-sales already kicking off across most European markets. The model – which we reported on in March when the name first surfaced – turns out to be considerably more than a mid-cycle refresh. It’s a fundamentally updated car, […]

Private lease rises in Belgium, but ownership myth remains (Renta)

April 16, 2026

Private lease is gaining traction in Belgium, but from a very low base. According to figures published by Renta, the Belgian federation of vehicle rental and leasing companies, the number of private lease contracts reached 16,074 vehicles by the end of March 2026, up 22% year-on-year from 13,201 a year earlier. While the growth is […]

VW sees global decline in BEV deliveries in Q1 2026

April 15, 2026

The Volkswagen Group delivered around 200,000 battery-electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, down eight per cent year-on-year. Strong double-digit growth in Europe was not enough to compensate for sharp declines in China and the United States. In the first quarter of 2026, the Volkswagen Group recorded a notable decline in global battery-electric vehicle […]

Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren steps down

April 15, 2026

Jacques Vandermeiren (63), the CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, is stepping down after nearly ten years of service. He had been CEO since 2017 and would normally have remained in office until the end of 2029. The Dutchman Rob Smeets, currently COO, will temporarily take over the leadership. Next week, the port authority will start negotiations […]

Renault sketches its EV future with Joshua Vides’ Twingo

April 15, 2026

It’s not the first time Renault has turned to contemporary art to frame its future. In these electric mobility times, Renault hands over the keys to its upcoming Twingo E-Tech Electric to Los Angeles-based artist Joshua Vides. The result is a striking, black-and-white reinterpretation of the compact city car that looks as if it has […]

Read the signs… they’re made of plants now in the Netherlands

April 15, 2026

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat, is starting an experiment with 24 ‘plant-based’ traffic signs along the A58 near Oirschot. Rijkswaterstaat wants to test whether these so-called ‘bio-signs’ can be an alternative to the existing aluminum traffic signs. The signboards are made from hemp, sugar waste, and vegetable oil. Real outdoor conditions The […]

Another strike casts shadow over Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary

April 15, 2026

Just on the day Lufthansa is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its first flight, an event Chancellor Merz is set to attend, the airline is once again hit by a strike – the fifth major strike at Lufthansa this year. After hundreds of flights were canceled due to a pilots’ strike on Monday and Tuesday, […]

Phew! Zaventem’s Tesla police car hits the road after six years

April 15, 2026

Anyone driving around Zaventem or Brussels Airport these days had better watch out, because from now on, you might spot the now-infamous Tesla police car from the local police zone appearing in your rearview mirror. Or how, after more than six years of inactivity, the car can finally be put into service – a textbook […]

T&E: Car industry demands could cost the EU €74 billion extra

April 15, 2026

According to the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), the latest demands of the European car industry for weaker climate targets could result in an extra €74bn of oil imports, “just as interest in buying EVs reaches new peaks”.That’s according to T&E analysis of a leaked position paper issued by the Association of European Car Manufacturers […]

Oil price spike fuels rush on used EVs, with Belgium as bellwether

April 15, 2026

Rising fuel prices linked to tensions around Iran are beginning to ripple through Europe’s car market, and Belgium offers one of the clearest early signals. New data show that second-hand electric vehicles are gaining traction at an accelerating pace, even as the broader used-car market remains under pressure. In March, registrations of fully electric used […]

Renault plans 20% engineering cut to keep leaner pace with China

April 15, 2026

Renault plans to reduce its global engineering workforce by up to 20% over the next two years, without forced layoffs. It’s a move that underscores the profound transformation underway in the automotive industry, as European carmakers scramble to keep pace with faster, cheaper Chinese car development. The French group is targeting a reduction of around […]

Volvo FH Aero Electric raises the bar to 700 km range

April 15, 2026

Volvo has announced the production-ready generation of its electric trucks. The flagship FH Aero Electric is now available with an extended all-electric range of 700 km. Meanwhile, the FH, FM, and FMX Electric get an updated driveline with up to 470 km range and more flexible applications. Volvo Trucks continues on its trajectory as a […]

Brussels Airport Ombudsman Philippe Touwaide fired

April 14, 2026

What had been in the works for a while has now become official: Brussels Airport Ombudsman Philippe Touwaide has been fired. Touwaide had come under fire for his lack of neutrality and his personal conduct toward the airport’s top management. The dismissal comes as no surprise. The Federal Public Service Mobility has recommended Touwaide’s dismissal […]

Geely outclasses Toyota’s hybrids with world record in thermal efficiency

April 14, 2026

When most people think of hybrid powertrains, they think Toyota. And when people think of Chinese brands, they think of fully electric drivelines. But if it depends on Geely, the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr, and many more, those reflexes are becoming increasingly outdated.  That’s because the sprawling Chinese group has been quietly building […]

800V and 925 km range: Mercedes EQS reclaims EV-range crown

April 14, 2026

When Mercedes launched the EQS in 2021, the message was simple: going electric didn’t have to mean giving anything up. The panoramic Hyperscreen, the slippery Cd 0.20 body, and the class-leading range all made for a compelling package. But the EV landscape moves at blistering speed. So Mercedes responds with a ground-up technical overhaul that […]

More than one in three Belgians regularly exceed speed limits

April 14, 2026

According to a recent survey among 5,000 Belgian drivers by the Traffic Safety Institute Vias, more than one in three drivers admit they often drive too fast. Speeding is clearly no marginal behavior in Belgium, it’s mainstream, and seen as relatively socially acceptable. One in four respondents (26%) exceed the speed limit several times a […]

Shock therapy for a bestseller: Nissan turns Juke fully electric

April 14, 2026

Nissan has officially unveiled the third generation of its compact crossover, the Nissan Juke, and, for the first time in its 15-year history, the model goes fully electric. The announcement marks a decisive step in the Japanese manufacturer’s European electrification strategy, with the Juke EV positioned as a cornerstone of its future line-up. While the […]

Belgian start-up TerraSpark wants to catch solar energy from space

April 14, 2026

The Belgian entrepreneur Jasper Deprez wants to bring solar energy from space to Earth with his start-up TerraSpark. The reason was a personal and unpleasant experience. During the Great Spanish Blackout of 2025, Deprez, who lives near Barcelona, ​​was without power for almost a week, and by his own account, it was hell, especially as a […]

BMW turns Spa-Francorchamps into classroom to tackle technician shortage

April 13, 2026

At the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, better known for Formula 1 than for classrooms, BMW Group Belux is launching an unusual response to one of the automotive sector’s most pressing challenges: the growing shortage of skilled technicians. In partnership with Le Forem, Wallonia’s public employment agency, and Technifutur, a specialized technical training center near Liège, […]

Engie to install 3,300 additional charging points in Wallonia

April 13, 2026

Electric Mobility Infrastructure, a subsidiary of the French company Engie, has won the contract to install 1,650 charging stations in Walloon municipalities. Since each charging station has two charging points, this totals 3,300 charging points, representing an increase of nearly 44% over the current charging infrastructure in the southern part of the country. Catch-up effort […]

Daimler Truck stumbles in Q1 as US slump weighs on sales

April 13, 2026

Daimler Truck, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and buses, has had a slow start to the year. Sales declined by 9% worldwide in Q1 2026, mainly due to weak US performance and fewer bus sales. But Mercedes-Benz Trucks and its electric vehicles make up some of the losses. Daimler Truck is struggling in the […]

Overshoot Day: ‘Belgians live as if we have 3.6 Earths’

April 13, 2026

On Sunday, Belgium reached its Overshoot Day. This means that if all countries in the world followed the Belgian consumption pattern, all the natural resources the planet could supply in one year would already be used up. We would then need 3.6 Earths. Every year, Global Footprint Network calculates Earth Overshoot Day: the date on which humanity […]

Kia puts Europe front and center in bold EV and SDV strategy

April 13, 2026

At its 2026 CEO Investor Day last week, Kia Corporation laid out an ambitious long-term roadmap built around electrification, software-defined vehicles, and new mobility services. While the strategy is global in scope, Europe stands out as a key pillar, with clear volume targets, a rapidly rising EV mix, and a product offensive tailored specifically to […]

Stellantis cuts another 650 jobs at its Opel development center in Rüsselsheim

April 13, 2026

Last Friday, car manufacturing group Stellantis announced another cut in its engineering crew at the Opel Research & Development center in Rüsselsheim. This means that only 1,000 R&D jobs remain near Opel’s general headquarters in Germany. In other countries, however, Stellantis plans to hire new engineering talent, including some 2,000 in the U.S. and 700 […]

Tesla’s FSD lands in Europe via the Netherlands: eyes open, hands ready

April 13, 2026

Last Friday, the Dutch vehicle approval authority, RDW, dropped a bombshell: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) has been granted type approval for use on public roads in the Netherlands. Tesla says the rollout via over-the-air updates will begin within days, making the Dutch customers the first Europeans to access automated driving at a level that hasn’t […]

Volkswagen delays rollout of additional EV models in the U.S. (Update)

April 13, 2026

Volkswagen plans to launch new electric models from its core VW brand in the U.S. only toward the end of the decade, keeping the focus on the ID.4 and ID. Buzz in the meantime. VW U.S. chief Kjell Gruner also sees no market potential for the upcoming compact ID. Every1 in the U.S., despite its […]

How drunk cycling can cost you your driver’s license

April 10, 2026

In 2024, the police fined about 460 drunk cyclists. Various newspapers reported this in recent days. And even more striking: about 270 times, this also led to the revocation of the driver’s license. In that case, the cyclist not only received a hefty fine but also had to leave his car or motorcycle parked for a […]

Cupra Raval launched: the most sporty compact BEV in the VW Group

April 10, 2026

At the Volkswagen Group, four electric compact cars are ready for launch. The Cupra Raval, the first production model of an upcoming compact electric car family, is now in the spotlight. It will be joined by the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, and by the Skoda Epiq. The Raval is the sporty-looking option of the […]

People on rail tracks cause 4.5 hours of delays per day in Belgium

April 10, 2026

Last year, there were 583 reports of people walking on or along the railway tracks in Belgium. According to the rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, these individuals were responsible for 4.5 hours of delays per day. Track intruders cause significant delays, particularly during the evening rush hour and on the busy north-south line in Brussels. Infrabel […]

Stellantis bets on Opel and Leapmotor tech to rebuild in Europe

April 10, 2026

Several sources reported that Stellantis is in talks with China to develop a new electric SUV for Opel based on Leapmotor’s technology, with production potentially starting around 2028 at its Zaragoza plant in Spain. This may point to more than just another model collaboration. It highlights how central Opel has become to the group’s fragile recovery […]

Tesla quietly circles back to the entry model it publicly killed

April 10, 2026

Two years ago, Elon Musk told investors that building affordable electric cars for human drivers was, in his words, “pointless” and “silly.” Instead, his company would focus on the automated Cybercab and the profit model behind it. But Musk’s decision firmness isn’t his greatest quality. Reuters has reported that Tesla is backing off on that […]

Jan De Nul launches world’s largest cable-laying vessels

April 09, 2026

Offshore energy solutions company Jan De Nul has launched a new next-level high-performance vessel: the William Thomson, one of two identical subsea cable‑laying vessels currently under construction. Both vessels have a cargo capacity of 28,000 tons and a length of 215 meters. “This makes them the largest, most efficient, and highest-performing cable-laying vessels of their […]

Hyundai Boulder Concept: made in and for the USA

April 09, 2026

The Hyundai Boulder Concept previews a rugged body-on-frame SUV. It previews an entire model line of pickup trucks and SUVs designed in America, developed for America, and built in America using Hyundai U.S. steel. The first model is expected by 2030. Hyundai wants to attract U.S. customers with products built especially for them. And like […]

Climate change is widening the gap between day and night

April 09, 2026

The difference between day and night temperatures – scientists call it ‘the diurnal temperature range’ – in spring is growing, and that is not good news, scientists say. And the trend is confirmed by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In the past, nighttime temperatures increased faster than daytime temperatures, so […]

Innovative hydrogen tank technology symbolizes BMW’s technology-neutral approach

April 09, 2026

The BMW Group is adopting a new, innovative hydrogen tank technology for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, symbolizing the manufacturer’s technology-neutral approach and offering five different drive systems in one single model. The new arrangement and size of the tanks enable a higher range of up to 750 km. The new ‘BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage’ system […]

IATA-boss warns rise in airfare prices is still inevitable

April 09, 2026

Higher airfare prices are inevitable. That’s what Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said at a meeting in Singapore. Even after a cease-fire in Iran. According to Walsh, the aviation industry will likely continue to face disruptions in jet fuel supply for months to come, even if Iran does reopen the […]

Volkswagen reveals its first EV with lidar and XPeng software

April 09, 2026

At the VW Brand Night in China, the German car manufacturer has pulled the wraps off the ID. Aura T6. This mid-size electric SUV is built on an entirely new, China-specific architecture. Say goodbye to MEB and meet CEA: the platform co-developed with XPeng. When unveiled, the T6 was still tightly wrapped in camouflage film, […]

Five-minute charge, €115,000 price tag, Denza faces EU reality check

April 09, 2026

With BYD’s Vice-President Stella Li taking the stage in Paris on Wednesday to launch Denza in Europe, the setting was as strategic as the product itself. China’s largest carmaker did not opt for a conventional auto show or conference hall, but rented the iconic Palais Garnier, one of Europe’s most emblematic temples of culture and […]

Updated BMW i7 will use Gen6 batteries from Rimac

April 09, 2026

BMW Group is partnering with Rimac Technology to equip the updated all-electric BMW i7 with Gen6 cylindrical battery cells, targeting higher energy density, increased range, and faster charging. Production of the new high-voltage battery system will take place in Croatia ahead of the i7’s debut at Auto China 2026. At the core of the new […]

Ex-Ford Genk supplier OPmobility exits as hydrogen reality bites

April 09, 2026

The quiet closure of the Genk site of OPmobility, part of a French automotive supplier known formerly as Plastic Omium, marks more than the loss of some 50 jobs in Limburg, Belgium. It is a small but telling signal of how Europe’s automotive supply chain is recalibrating its bets on hydrogen mobility – years after […]

Californian Monarch Tractor collapse puts Belgian millions at risk

April 08, 2026

The Californian Monarch Tractor, a pioneer in self-driving and ‘smart’ electric tractors, is in dire straits. The company lays off almost all of its staff, puts its research site up for rent, and auctions off its assets. The Flemish taxpayer and a number of wealthy Belgian industrial families (Colruyt, Toye, Adriaenssen-de Spoelberch, Thermote) risk losing out. […]

Renault honors Louis Schweitzer and unifies its charging ecosystem as ‘Plug Inn’

April 08, 2026

Renault Group pays tribute to its former Chairman and CEO, who passed away on November 6, 2025, by naming the Le Mans site (France), the Group’s chassis center of excellence, after him. Meanwhile, the group opens a new chapter in its electric journey by bringing together all of its charging activities and related services under […]

De Lijn tests smart ‘extra eyes’ for tram drivers in Ghent”

April 08, 2026

Following a successful pilot project in Antwerp, De Lijn will also test an advanced driver assistance system for trams in Ghent. The system acts as a digital co-pilot, assisting tram drivers in complex urban traffic situations by helping them identify risks more quickly and prevent collisions. Last year, the driver assistance system project, part of the […]

Three-quarters of former Van Hool employees are already back at work

April 08, 2026

Two years after the bankruptcy of bus manufacturer Van Hool, three out of four employees are back at work. This is according to figures released by Flemish Minister of Employment Zuhal Demir. According to the N-VA minister, the figures show that targeted guidance, outplacement, and training through VDAB, a Flemish government agency that matches labor […]

Tourists beware: French carpool lane sign could mean €135 fine

April 08, 2026

Anyone driving to France should watch out for a new traffic sign on French highways: some lanes are marked with a raised diamond, indicating that the lane is reserved for cars with at least two occupants – also called ‘carpool lane’. Taxis and electric cars are also allowed to use them.  The sign is often located […]

Ayvens aims to unlock trust in used EVs with battery health certificates

April 08, 2026

Ayvens Carmarket is introducing battery health certificates for used electric vehicles across Europe. This move may seem incremental at first glance, but it could mark a turning point in how the second-hand EV market operates. The initiative comes from Ayvens, one of the world’s largest mobility and leasing companies. Formed in 2023 through the merger […]

Toyota’s new RAV4 reinforces cautious path toward full electrification

April 08, 2026

Toyota has unveiled the sixth-generation RAV4. Toyota Motor Corporation is not just renewing one of its best-selling models; it is reaffirming a BEV-cautious strategy that continues to set it apart from much of the industry. Since its launch in 1994, the RAV4 has grown into one of the world’s most successful SUVs, with more than […]

First ‘Ocean COP’ will take place January 2027 in New York

April 07, 2026

From January 11 to 22, 2027, the first ‘Ocean COP’ will take place, the first formal meeting of states that have ratified the groundbreaking treaty for the protection of the High Seas. The High Seas Treaty, as the meeting is officially called, will be held at the UN headquarters in New York. This treaty governs […]

Zeekr cars get Skoda-like Android infotainment in Europe

April 07, 2026

Zeekr has partnered with German infotainment company 3 Screen Solutions (3SS) to develop a new Android-based infotainment system for its European cars. It will offer an ‘Entertainment Hub’ featuring European content providers and streaming services for watching TV directly in the car. But it might come with ads. And does the layout of the Zeekr […]

Flemish ferry services transport about 5.4 million people in 2025

April 07, 2026

Last year, almost 5.4 million people in Flanders used some kind of ferry service. This figure shows that ferry services play an important role in sustainable mobility, recreation, and local connections across our inland waterways. For many cyclists and walkers, they provide a fast and practical connection. Flanders has one of Europe’s densest cycling infrastructures, […]

Tesla makes a comeback in European sales charts

April 07, 2026

Registrations tripled in France, nearly doubled in Norway. After the worst year in recent memory, Tesla’s sales numbers are moving in the right direction again. The question is whether a cheaper Model Y and surpassing a stumbling BYD again are enough to call this a recovery. A year ago, Tesla was bleeding. Exactly one year […]

Noll Go: the Swedish e-bike that wants to reinvent the wheel (again)

April 07, 2026

Swedish start-up Nuxon Mobility is turning heads with the Noll Go, a spokeless, hubless e-bike with tires you can never puncture. It sounds like a prop from a Star Wars movie. Except it actually rides. Some concepts take your breath away. Others do that right up until you realize they’ll never leave the show floor. […]

Brussels LEZ: new fines starting June 7

April 07, 2026

Is the Brussels saga surrounding the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) finally coming to an end? The Brussels government has finally set a schedule for the new LEZ fines system. If the technical obstacles are resolved, the imposition of LEZ fines should begin on June 7. Euro 5 diesel vehicles and Euro 2 gasoline vehicles, which in […]

Vietnam’s VinFast drives battery-swapping scooters into mass markets

April 07, 2026

As its ambitions in Europe remain in flux, Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is sharpening its focus closer to home, accelerating a large-scale battery-swapping rollout for electric scooters in Vietnam while preparing to expand into major Asian markets such as India and Indonesia. The move underscores how central scooters remain to both the company’s strategy and […]

Renault’s quiet architect plans exit as turnaround enters next phase

April 07, 2026

Jean-Dominique Senard, the discreet architect behind Renault’s post-Ghosn recovery, is preparing to close his chapter at the French carmaker. The chairman of Renault Group has indicated he will not seek a new mandate when his term expires in spring 2027, when he will be 74, paving the way for a carefully managed transition at the […]

EVs are quietly gaining ground on Belgium’s used car market

April 06, 2026

After a sluggish start to the year, Belgium’s second-hand car market bounced back in March. The Brussels Motor Show is partly to thank. But the real story is what’s happening under the hood: an aging fleet, a cautious private buyer, and an electric share that is slowly, steadily climbing. The first quarter of 2026 was […]

TAP sale heats up: Air France-KLM vs Lufthansa, with IAG dropping out

April 06, 2026

Both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have submitted bids to Parpublica, the Portuguese state holding company, for a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal. The Portuguese government intends to sell up to 49,9% of the shares, with a 5% tranche reserved for employees. The state formally retains control but has indicated its intention to sell the […]

Subaru Getaway: three-row family EV with off-road DNA

April 06, 2026

Subaru pulled the wraps off its largest and most powerful electric vehicle yet at the 2026 New York Auto Show. The Getaway is a seven-seat SUV that blends family needs with the brand’s trademark all-terrain credentials. It’s a strictly North-American affair that, despite the adversary context for electric mobility in the region, relies entirely on […]

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.