March 05, 2026
The works council elections at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Grünheide have delivered another blow to IG Metall. The independent list “Giga United” secured an outright majority. Union fighter Elon Musk, who ran a campaign against IG Metall, surfaces as the winner. The voting results leave little room for interpretation. Of the 37 seats on the new […]
March 05, 2026
EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has unveiled the long-awaited ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’. With this industrial strategy, the EU Commission aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, and reduce the EU’s dependence on the USA and China. This will impact numerous sectors, including the automotive industry. Officially, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is presented as a […]
March 05, 2026
A spike in global oil markets is pushing diesel prices higher across Europe, with Italian motorway pumps reaching €2.50 per litre and Belgian retailers warning the surge is putting pressure on fuel supply margins. A dramatic illustration of how geopolitical shocks are quickly reaching European drivers and transport companies. Consumer group Codacons reported that diesel […]
March 05, 2026
Volvo has placed big bets on the EX60 before anyone has even driven one kilometer with it. The all-electric successor to the XC60 (its best-selling model ever) was always going to face intense scrutiny if buyers stayed away. Early evidence suggests the opposite is happening. During its first weeks on the market, the EX60 punched […]
March 04, 2026
Stellantis has confirmed that electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor will be produced at its Figueruelas plant near Zaragoza from the second half of 2026, marking a major step in the group’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global EV market. The announcement turns the Spanish plant into the first major Leapmotor production hub […]
March 04, 2026
Like most European countries, Belgium is also busy organizing the repatriation of Belgians stranded in the Middle East due to the military escalation in Iran. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) is working closely with Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA) to this end. There are currently almost 26,000 Belgians in the affected […]
March 04, 2026
2026 will be the year of major roadworks in Flanders. Significant works are planned at 45 locations across Flanders, representing an investment of 1 billion euros – not including the Oosterweel project. The plans were announced last Tuesday by Annick De Ridder (N-V), Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works. Every year, work is planned to keep the […]
March 04, 2026
The 2027 iX4 is set to join BMW’s electric vehicle lineup soon, bringing a new coupe SUV-like style to the family. Ahead of its debut, the 2027 BMW iX4 was spotted testing, giving us a first look at what to expect. BMW is overhauling its lineup with several new additions this year. After some of […]
March 04, 2026
Chinese carmaker BYD is preparing to unveil one of its most technologically ambitious vehicles to date. The new Great Tang, a full-size electric SUV positioned at the top of the company’s Dynasty lineup, combines luxury, performance, and experimental ultra-fast charging technology that could point to the next phase of electric mobility. The model is expected […]
March 04, 2026
Until now, the European CO₂ pool centered on Tesla has been a major conglomerate of automakers, including Ford, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Stellantis. However, for 2026, two major manufacturers, Toyota and Stellantis, may withdraw from this pool, two of Tesla’s largest financial contributors to this scheme. At the EU level, manufacturers can join so-called CO₂ […]
March 03, 2026
Germany-based development center FEV has published analysis results that show extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology could benefit the heavy truck segment. Not only in terms of CO2 emissions, but also in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO). According to FEV, the TCO of EREVs could be 33 percent lower than that of diesel trucks. […]
March 03, 2026
In Antwerp, the city council has given the green light for expanding the car-free zone in the city center. With the ‘Via Sinjoor’, the new car-free route, the city wants to create a virtually car-free boulevard through the city center. The goal is to create a more attractive and safer city center. The city council […]
March 03, 2026
Last year, the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB issued administrative fines totaling 32.5 million euros, almost 5 million more than in 2024. The increase comes almost exclusively from category 3 fines for fare-dodging, which account for almost all fines. In 2024, NMBS/SNCB issued 89,000 fines (+16,654), amounting to 32.5 million euros. The most fines were issued […]
March 03, 2026
It’s a delicate industrial balancing act. While car groups like Stellantis are reversing on their battery efforts, Volkswagen is simultaneously pouring capital into scaling up today’s lithium-ion battery assembly lines at Škoda, while pushing for solid-state. Despite the current headwinds, battery technology is still forging ahead. Years of clinical promise in the solid-state field seem […]
March 03, 2026
According to data from the sector federation, Febiac, and the federal public service Mobility and Transport, 37,075 new cars were registered in February 2026, 7.7% fewer than in February 2025. For the first two months of 2026, the market shrinks by 13.2%. Once again, it’s the professional market that is entirely responsible for the regression. […]
March 03, 2026
According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), EV battery cells produced in the EU currently cost about $41-$43 per kilowatt-hour more than those made in China. For a typical 60 kWh family EV, that implies a gross cell cost disadvantage of roughly €2,000-€2,500 per vehicle. Yet the same T&E report delivers a […]
March 03, 2026
Volkswagen’s two-millionth electric vehicle marks a turning point for Europe’s most storied automaker. However, the number is mostly a reminder that the real race has only just begun. There is a certain quiet satisfaction to be found in Lower Saxony these days. While upstart brands dominate headlines with brash promises and record-breaking charging times, Volkswagen […]
March 02, 2026
A year-long study by Transport Canada and the PIT Group, part of the research organization FPInnovations, has compared the use and costs of an electric Class 8 heavy truck versus a diesel model in real-world operations. The conclusion? The cost benefits can be huge… but might not be relevant for Europe. The “Zero-Emission Trucking Testbed” […]
March 02, 2026
Emissions from wood combustion in Flanders have risen sharply – by more than 44% in 2022 (and even 140% compared with 2019). Yet, the Flemish government reports to Europe that the figures are falling by 16%. Due to inaccurate reporting and a flawed wood-burning stove policy, the health risks are underestimated. Sales of wood and pellet […]
March 02, 2026
The recent American and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory attacks, are having a huge impact on international aviation. Due to the direct military threat and airspace closure, the three Arab hubs, Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH), the world’s most important transfer hubs, have become virtually unusable for international air […]
March 02, 2026
Chinese battery giant CATL and premium car manufacturer BMW aim to deepen their existing partnership. In a new letter of intent, the focus is specifically on data exchange: Both parties intend to make progress in cross-border data transfer through pilot projects, with an eye on the upcoming battery passport requirements in the EU. BMW and […]
March 02, 2026
Sales are not going so well for Audi in some important foreign markets, both for combustion engines and electric cars. Ingolstadt is now responding and has announced a series of management changes in key markets, including China and North America. In its announcement, Audi refers to a ‘coordinated management rotation’ designed to ensure a smooth […]
March 02, 2026
The BMW Group is advancing the digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key element in this effort is ‘Physical AI’, which combines digital artificial intelligence (AI) with real machines and robots. This enables intelligent systems such as humanoid robots to be integrated into real-world production processes. First time in Europe For the […]
March 02, 2026
At the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Xiaomi pulled the covers off one of the most dramatic cars ever to wear its badge: the Vision GT, a low-slung electric super-GT with fighter-jet proportions, extreme aerodynamics, and power claims that brush against hypercar territory. It dominated headlines and social media feeds within hours. Yet for […]
February 27, 2026
Bike sharing is becoming increasingly popular in Belgium, but the number of shared cars on offer is declining. This is according to figures collected by Way To Go, a network organization that promotes shared mobility. Nevertheless, car sharing in Flanders grew by 22% in terms of user numbers. And while Brussels is the e-scooter capital, […]
February 27, 2026
Social media has an impact on the traffic behaviour of young adults that should not be underestimated. The more often they witness unsafe traffic behavior on social media, the more likely they are to engage in risky behavior and receive traffic fines themselves. This is the conclusion of a recent study by the road safety institute […]
February 27, 2026
From September 7th, there will be a new high-speed train connection between Antwerp and Cologne, with a stop at Brussels Airport. The new train connection, which will run twice a day in each direction and will also stop in Liège and Leuven in Belgium, will be launched by Deutsche Bahn. Brussels Airlines, among others, will […]
February 27, 2026
SAIC-GM-Wuling has unveiled the fifth generation of its iconic Hongguang Mini EV, the lilliputian electric car that has sold more than 1.8 million units since its 2020 debut. The update brings retro-inspired styling cues and a clear signal that the tiny EV’s remarkable run is far from over. The numbers are staggering. The Hongguang Mini […]
February 27, 2026
Among the 700-plus Porsche Clubs worldwide, not a single one was dedicated to battery-electric models. Until now. A group of Italian Taycan and Macan owners decided to change that. The Registro Italiano E-motion is now officially the first Porsche Club on the planet to welcome only drivers of fully electric sports cars. The club grew […]
February 27, 2026
At Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Kawasaki Heavy Industries first rolled out a life-size robotic horse, a hydrogen-powered mechanical stallion with four articulated legs, a saddle, stirrups, and a head-up display. At that time, most observers filed it somewhere between anime fantasy and corporate fever dream. But it’s actually becoming a reality: Kawasaki is going to build […]
February 26, 2026
Electricity provider Engie offers free electricity during ‘happy hours’ when there is an oversupply of renewable energy. The offer applies to all Engie electricity customers, regardless of their contract. They only have to have a digital meter. Customers can register starting today by activating the Happy Hours service, and the offer is valid until June 1st. The […]
February 26, 2026
Aston Martin is living up to its reputation of ‘The English Patient’, and remains stuck in what seems an eternal struggle to crawl from loss to profit despite several capital injections of the past few years. Its latest financial results prompt the British luxury carmaker to cut up to 20 percent of its roughly 3,000-strong […]
February 26, 2026
The Flemish government and driving test centers are taking measures to combat exam fraud and abuse, according to the Mediahuis newspapers. From now on, it will be mandatory to register via the Itsme app or another digital key, such as an eID, to make an appointment for a driving exam, and there will be many […]
February 26, 2026
Tens of thousands of Flemish people risk a fine for failing to register a home charging station. Anyone installing a private charging point for an electric car, for example, in the driveway or garage, has been required to report this to Fluvius since June 2021, just as this is mandatory when installing solar panels or a home […]
February 26, 2026
According to Deloitte’s latest Global Automotive Consumer Study, just 12 percent of Belgian consumers say a battery electric vehicle (BEV) would be their next car, up only marginally from 11 percent a year earlier. Behind that modest figure lies a stark income divide. Among households earning less than €27,000 per year, 59 percent prefer a […]
February 26, 2026
Volvo announced a new entry-level variant of its smallest EV, the EX30. It is expected to start in the low 30,000 euro range in select European markets, well below the current Belgian starting price of 38,990 euros for the 200 kW Single Motor variant. It will be positioned as the cheapest Volvo in the lineup, […]
February 26, 2026
Franco-Italian-American carmaker Stellantis Group has delivered one of the most dramatic earnings collapses in modern European automotive history. It reported a net loss of €22.3 billion for 2025 on revenues of €153.5 billion, confirming analyst expectations and placing the group among the largest annual loss-makers ever associated with a French corporate champion. The scale of […]
February 25, 2026
We haven’t seen much sun in Belgium this year, but now that the first signs of spring are appearing, the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) is warning about glare from the sun in traffic at this time of the year. During these months, the sun is low on the horizon at exactly the times when […]
February 25, 2026
According to new T&E research, a new EU law to electrify the vehicle fleets of large companies could deliver 57% of the electric vehicle (EV) sales that carmakers need in 2030. While carmakers claim there is insufficient EV demand to meet their 2030 EU CO2 targets, T&E’s analysis shows that an ambitious company cars law […]
February 25, 2026
At Droneport in Sint-Truiden, the Antwerp-based medical drone company Helicus is showcasing an automated ‘Drone Cargo Port’. The system is comparable to a parcel-locker-like terminal, where drones can independently load and unload parcels. It was designed to automate the air-to-ground cargo handoff – loading/unloading workflows, standardized handling, and repeatable operations. The technology has been specifically developed […]
February 25, 2026
Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wants to reorganize and simplify the mandatory car inspection in the region. She wants it to be more consumer-friendly and offer higher-quality service. According to the Minister, the current organisational model of the vehicle inspection system in Flanders no longer meets contemporary citizens’ expectations regarding public authorities and […]
February 25, 2026
Opel has decided to bless the current Corsa, which is nearing the end of its lifespan, with a flagship GSE version. The electric hot hatch is coming later in 2026 and will likely share its internals with its French and Italian siblings, the Peugeot E-208 GTi and the Lancia Ypsilon HF. Back in 2022, Opel […]
February 25, 2026
China’s Leapmotor has revealed the first official interior images of its new compact electric SUV, the A10, offering a clearer picture of the model that will spearhead the brand’s push into Europe’s affordable EV segment. The A10, to be marketed in Europe as the B03X in the second half of 2026, is positioned as a […]
February 25, 2026
Renault’s Ampere division has signed a development agreement with Basquevolt to accelerate the development and validation of lithium-metal batteries for future electric vehicles. Lithium-metal batteries represent a major technological leap in energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. The Renault Group claims that Basquevolt has already demonstrated its technology’s ability to achieve […]
February 24, 2026
Flexis, the joint venture between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM, was founded in 2024 to develop an advanced, software-driven electric LCV architecture to accelerate the development of electric vans. Now, Renault has announced it will acquire full ownership of Flexis and carry the project through to completion in France. Flexis was founded with […]
February 24, 2026
According to the German leading car magazine, Automobilwoche, BMW is abandoning its Level-3 automated-driving ambitions for the 7 Series. The headline sounded like a retreat. In reality, it may be a recalibration and a revealing one. BMW will discontinue its ‘Personal Pilot L3’ system in the 7 Series as part of the upcoming model update […]
February 24, 2026
From July 1, CO2 emissions from vehicles will be taken into account when calculating the kilometer charge for trucks in Flanders. The more environmentally friendly the truck, the lower the rate. This has been announced by Viapass, the body that coordinates the kilometer charge in Belgium. This rate change aligns with European requirements and aims […]
February 24, 2026
It has become fashionable in European automotive circles to speak of hydrogen in the past tense. The mood darkened further last week as Cummins confirmed it is halting electrolyser production at its Belgian plant, cutting 100 jobs. Coming after Stellantis paused its light-fuel-cell commercial vehicle plans, it feels like another nail in a very expensive […]
February 24, 2026
According to data from the European Car Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), new EU car registrations fell by 3.9% year on year in January, marking a second consecutive challenging start to the year for the market. “The battery-electric car market share reached 19.3%, highlighting the continued potential for further growth,” states ACEA’s press release. “Hybrid-electric vehicles lead […]
February 24, 2026
Despite a sharp decline, Belgium’s climate footprint remains one of the largest in the European Union. According to the latest Eurostat report, Belgians emitted an average of over 10.3 tons of greenhouse gases in 2023, about 15% above the EU average, and roughly 60% above the world average. In 2023, the greenhouse gas footprint in the […]
February 24, 2026
Lamborghini unveiled the Lanzador concept in August 2023, billed as the brand’s gateway to an all-electric era. That step has now been shelved, in what appears to be a calculated bet that regulatory flexibility in Europe after 2035 may allow combustion engines to survive in hybrid form. The company has scrapped plans for a pure […]
February 24, 2026
On the 1st of March, Emmanuel Al Nawakil starts as the new CEO of Renault Belgium and Luxembourg. He will succeed Martin Domise, who becomes Vice President, Renault Sales & Operations Europe-Maghreb. Emmanuel Al Nawakil was born in 1979 and studied at the E.M. Lyon Business School to become master of Science in Management. He […]
February 24, 2026
To say that things are currently very turbulent at the Flemish public transport company De Lijn would be an understatement. For example, the unions at De Lijn have just submitted a strike notice for nine days of action in March and April. The reason for this is the additional cuts announced by the Flemish government […]
February 23, 2026
Airbus expects to deliver a record number of aircraft this year. In the title, the European aircraft manufacturer expects to deliver 870 commercial aircraft, significantly more than the 793 it delivered to customers in 2025. This would be a record – the current record dates from 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, with 863. Net profit […]
February 23, 2026
Horse Powertrain, the Renault–Geely joint venture, has just given the internal combustion engine one of its strongest “not-dead-yet” headlines in years. Together with Spanish energy company Repsol, it unveiled the HORSE H12 Concept: a 1.2-litre hybrid-oriented gasoline engine and powertrain concept designed to run on 100% renewable gasoline and to cut fuel consumption by around […]
February 23, 2026
It has been a bruising month for the world’s most scrutinized carmaker, Tesla. As 2026 unfolds, the gap between Elon Musk’s expansive promises and the rigid realities of American courtrooms and dealership lots is widening. From a confirmed million-dollar verdict in Florida to a chaotic pricing strategy for the Cybertruck, the electric vehicle giant is […]
February 23, 2026
Two years ago, when Ethiopia announced an immediate ban on the import of internal combustion engines, everybody reacted with a mixture of skepticism and indifference. It was viewed as a bold, perhaps desperate, fiscal maneuver by a nation grappling with fuel shortages and a hard-currency deficit. But the gamble on electric driving seems to pay […]
February 23, 2026
The Renault Group is still evaluating plans to manufacture the next generation of compact electric vehicles at its Palencia, Spain, plant. The company has so far produced all its EVs in factories in France, but that will change in the future. This was confirmed by Renault CEO François Provost on Thursday, following the announcement of […]
February 23, 2026
As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares this week for his first official visit to Beijing since taking office, the presence of leading industrial executives underscores the trip’s strategic significance. Among them is Oliver Zipse, chief executive of BMW Group, who has made clear in remarks reported by Reuters that engagement with China is indispensable for […]
February 23, 2026
The Spanish Volkswagen daughter Seat says it is in the final stages of preparing for series production of the Cupra Raval at its Martorell plant. The project has now entered the pre-series phase of industrialisation, during which processes and quality standards are validated under near-series conditions ahead of the start of full-scale production. In its announcement, […]
