May 16, 2024
With the start of the holiday season in sight, the Flemish mobility organization VAB traditionally probes the Belgian’s intentions about the means he intends to use to go on holiday. Almost 60% are going to use a vehicle on four wheels somehow. And although it’s already double the number of the year before, only 4.2% […]
May 16, 2024
Parking service provider Parkopedia has expanded its partnership with BMW Group to provide EV drivers with additional EV Point of Interest data, enabling them to make more informed decisions about when and where to charge their vehicles. The new partnership is designed to provide EV drivers with photos and ratings for charging locations alongside Parkopedia-provided […]
May 15, 2024
Renault is adjusting its strategy toward autonomous vehicles. Regarding individual vehicles, Renault Group concentrates on the L2 or L2+ level for the moment. However, when it comes to public transportation, Renault Group sees the relevance of offering real autonomous vehicles. CTO Gilles Le Borgne said Renault Group would not aim for so-called SAE Level 3 […]
May 15, 2024
In collaboration with Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB, Brussels Mobility has applied for planning permission to construct tram line 15, a new line to link Belgica metro station and the Thurn & Taxis neighborhood with the North Station and later with Central Station. The public space along the approximately 2 km route will also be […]
May 15, 2024
Several dozens of buses are idle at De Lijn because the right spare parts are unavailable. These should normally come from Van Hool, but due to the bankruptcy, the bus manufacturer cannot supply them to the Flemish public transport company. De Lijn expects it will not stop at these dozens of buses and has set […]
May 15, 2024
On Tuesday, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges launched the first methanol-powered tugboat, a world premier. The Methatug, as the vehicle is called, is used by the port authorities to investigate the feasibility of methanol as a more sustainable fuel for shipping. When methanol is produced from renewable sources, using biomass or renewably sourced hydrogen and carbon […]
May 15, 2024
“We will never let China control the market for this type of vehicle.” With those words, the President of the US, Joe Biden, announced that he would raise current import rates for Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%. Fearing an engulfment of cheaper Chinese electric cars, this doubles their retail price. Citing the impossibility of […]
May 15, 2024
South Korean carmaker Kia has decided to spruce up its EV6 fully electric cross-over three years after its introduction. That car got the ‘Car of the Year 2022’ title, beating the Renault Mégane E-Tech and its sister brand Hyundai Ioniq 5. New ‘eyes’, a quieter and smoother ride, 19 km more range, and faster charging […]
May 15, 2024
The Stellantis Group and Chinese electric car manufacturer Leapmotor have finalized the establishment of their joint venture and announced that Leapmotor International would commence operations in Europe in September 2024. The market launch in Europe will initially start in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, and Romania. Both sides have announced that […]
May 14, 2024
By 2030, trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles in Europe must reduce their CO2 emissions by 45% from 2019 levels. That threshold will then be raised to 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2040 – the average lifespan of a truck is 18 years, that’s why. The European Parliament had previously approved these new emission standards, […]
May 14, 2024
Avatr, the joint venture between the Chinese state-owned manufacturer Changan and CATL, with Huawei as a major supplier, has unveiled its third model: the 07, a mid-size extended-range electric SUV. It follows the larger Avatr 11 SUV and Avatr 12 sedan and should rival the Tesla Model Y with a low price tag. With a […]
May 14, 2024
These days, it is best to avoid the Leonard intersection on the Brussels Ring with the E411 highway and an even broader area around it in Tervuren. Due to the work on the Leonard Tunnel, there is a lot of traffic congestion around the tunnel complex, which will cause you to lose at least one […]
May 14, 2024
China’s biggest EV maker, BYD, has launched the Sea Lion 07, the first of a new Ocean-array SUV model product line. It is built on an upgraded e-Platform EVO 3.0, offering a ‘higher level of integration, stronger powertrain, and charging performance’. In China, the Sea Lion will cost 189,800 yuan (€24,220) and is targeted—once again—against […]
May 14, 2024
According to a new analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E), onshoring the EV supply chain to Europe would cut the emissions of producing a battery by 37% compared to a China-controlled supply chain. This carbon saving rises to over 60% when renewable electricity is used. “Producing Europe’s demand for battery cells and components locally would […]
May 14, 2024
Mercedes-Benz is apparently putting the brakes on investment with a change of course. According to a media report, it is no longer developing its electric platform ‘MB.EA-Large’. From 2028, the Stuttgarters actually wanted to electrify the new generation of their largest saloons and SUVs based on this architecture. The German newspaper Handelsblatt cites four insiders […]
May 14, 2024
“From 1 August 2024, Stefan Richmann will take over MINI’s management from Stefanie Wurst, who has held this position since 1 February 2022,” BMW Group announced Monday. Why Stefanie Wurst is stepping down after only two years at the helm is not clear. As it is understood, she will get a new role within the […]
May 13, 2024
The VW ID.1 could arrive as the final VW e-up! successor later this decade. Volkswagen has begun initial planning but faces challenges in bringing the new electric city car to the market. The slowdown in EV sales is not one of them. Meanwhile, after confirming the launch of an all-new Golf EV, Volkswagen has started […]
May 13, 2024
Last year, almost 1.2 million cars were presented for technical inspection in Wallonia. According to statistics from the Public Service of Wallonia, Mobility, and Infrastructure, 20% of them came later than the expiry date of the inspection certificate. On average, Walloons were 58 days late; in 2019, for example, it was 55 days. Different problems […]
May 13, 2024
Stellantis has received testing samples from Lyten, a start-up in lithium-sulfur battery technology that it started investing in last year. It’s the first time a company has set up a production line for this type of chemistry. Lyten says it has also shipped samples to other major automotive OEMs on both sides of the Atlantic. […]
May 13, 2024
Boulevard Charles Quint in Brussels is to be transformed into a city boulevard with more greenery and cycle paths. Brussels Mobility has applied for planning permission to do so. The avenue, which runs from the commune of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe through Ganshoren to the Basilica of Koekelberg, is an important but unattractive access route to the capital. […]
May 13, 2024
Despite slumping sales for hydrogen cars worldwide, Hyundai is set to introduce an all-new version of its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Nexo, by the second quarter of 2025. This is the first major update since the model’s debut in 2018. Introduced in early 2018, the Nexo has remained on the market without […]
May 13, 2024
With Lancia’s comeback in the Benelux, Stellantis is introducing three premium brands. The new fully electric version (a mild hybrid follows later) can be ordered now in Belgium for € 34,500. According to Milosz Tomanek, the Vice President of premium brands at Stellantis Belux and the MD of Lancia, Lancia is the epitome of Italian […]
May 10, 2024
Amazon says it is investing in electric vehicles worldwide and is now rolling out nearly 50 heavy-duty electric trucks from Volvo in Southern California. They will share the Californian roads with 13,500 custom-built Rivian electric vans, a fleet that should be expanded to 100,000 vans by 2030. The fully electric trucks will haul cargo containers […]
May 10, 2024
Belgian railway NMBS/SNCB is looking for a buyer for four office complexes at Brussels South, or Brussels-Midi station, representing 150,000 square meters, writes the business newspaper De Tijd. Usually, the consortium that may build the railway company’s new headquarters on the site of NMBS/SNCB’s buildings on Avenue Fonsny would take over the site. The sale […]
May 10, 2024
Automobili Pininfarina has unveiled another special edition of its all-electric supercar, Battista. The Cinquantacinque, whose name translates from Italian as “fifty-five,” is a tribute to the 1955 Lancia Florida, one of the design house’s most celebrated historical models. The successor will also make its public debut in Tokyo, Japan, to woo potential customers. As a […]
May 10, 2024
Sticking to its deadline of an all-electric line-up by 2030, Volvo plans to overhaul its production process. Its platform for next-generation EVs, spearheaded by the EX60, will be constructed by Gigapresses, which are more efficient and environmentally friendly. But there’s a drawback. In November last year, the news agency Reuters reported that three car manufacturers […]
May 10, 2024
Less than one year and a half after the first flight from Deurne (Antwerp) to London City Airport, the Luxembourg airline Luxair is canceling flights between Deurne and London starting June 3rd. Although popular, the flight schedule was criticized for insufficient frequency, hindering business and leisure travelers. The reason for the discontinuation is a lack […]
May 10, 2024
Chinese automaker NIO has celebrated the 500,000th car, an ES8, rolling off the production lines of its F2 plant at NeoPark in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province. With that milestone, it confirms its position as China’s leading premium EV brand in the market for cars above 300,000 yuan (€38,500), the number one […]
May 10, 2024
Bentley’s future drivetrain will be an all-new, performance-focused V8 hybrid powertrain named ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’, replacing its iconic W12 engine. A pure electric Bentley seems not yet in sight. In a press release, the ultra-luxury brand and VW Group daughter promises “producing the highest power output ever offered in a Bentley; the new powertrain will […]
May 10, 2024
Ford Europe is reportedly flirting with the idea of adjusting its electrification strategy in the region as BEV sales have been slow to take off. Originally, the European arm of Ford Motor Company said it would only sell battery-electric models by 2030, but that commitment could soon change. Ford Europe has followed the lead of […]
May 09, 2024
Volkswagen has introduced the new T7 generation of its California campervan, based on the latest Multivan. It has grown in size and features several firsts for the model, including dual sliding doors and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Last year, Volkswagen presented a concept version of the new California at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, teasing the […]
May 09, 2024
Electronics chain MediaMarkt, which opened its first European ‘Urban Mobility Store’ in Antwerp on Tuesday, is selling a racing e-scooter that reaches 70 km/h. Such devices are not allowed on public roads in Belgium, where the maximum speed is 25 km/h. However, the electric chain claims that such a device is “ideal for commuting,” says […]
May 09, 2024
Four years after its introduction, Land Rover has revised its iconic Defender. In addition to minor cosmetic tweaks and new packs, the drivelines have been reshuffled to comply with Euro 6e emission standards. The Defender’s facelift has been surrounded by rumors, such as the introduction of an all-electric version, which is not happening, and the […]
May 08, 2024
The Nissan Townstar is the first of the Kangoo-Citan-Townstar trio to get a long-wheelbase version with up to 7 seats. The Townstar Evalia is available with either a gasoline engine or a fully electric drivetrain, which remains the same as in the short-wheelbase variant. Both the Renault Kangoo and the Mercedes Citan/T-Class/EQT announced a long […]
May 08, 2024
Despite prevention campaigns and an apparent increase in the number of people killed on the road in 2024, aggressive behavior, insults, and stress still prevail among European drivers. These are the conclusions of the 14th ‘Barometre de la Conduite Responsable’, a study by market research company Ipsos, published on Tuesday by the French foundation Vinci […]
May 08, 2024
The Belgian High Health Council is calling for a ban on night flights at Brussels Airport. This is the advisory body’s first recommendation of such a measure. According to the Council, at least 160,000 people living nearby are at increased risk of negative health effects, such as disturbed sleep, reduced lung function, and changes in […]
May 08, 2024
Recent research highlights a troubling issue in modern vehicles: the presence of flame retardants, added to meet safety standards, may be jeopardizing the health of drivers and passengers. The warmer the interior gets, the more toxic air we breathe in while driving. Flame retardants, commonly used in various commercial products, are intended to slow fire […]
May 08, 2024
The Flemish region is the only one in Belgium to grant a premium of up to 5,000 euros for private persons purchasing a new electric vehicle with a list price under €40,000. Second-hand EVs are awarded a premium of up to €3,000. But five months after installation, the €20 million of Flanders’ nest egg for […]
May 08, 2024
Robots for welding and assembling have been a familiar sight for decades in car manufacturing plants. However, humanoid robots on two legs or doggy-likes on four legs wandering around the aisles of the BMW factories of Spartanburg (US) or Group Plant Hams Hall (UK) to ensure production processes run smoothly are relatively new. The latest […]
May 08, 2024
Dark clouds seem to be accumulating above Fisker’s future. Magna, the company contracted to build the Fisker Ocean in Austria, says in its Q1 2024 financial report that it assumes no more will be built. Fisker has been looking for opportunities to save itself for a while already. Now, the company hired to build its […]
May 07, 2024
The German sports car manufacturer has recently adopted six Scania electric box trucks to transport production materials around its Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Leipzich plants. In contrast, an electric heavy truck from Designwerk delivers vehicles to Switzerland. HVO100 synthetic diesel is also being trialed to lower the CO2 emissions of existing diesel trucks. In addition to […]
May 07, 2024
This summer, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is taking its electric long-hauler eActros 600 on the manufacturer’s longest test run yet. The battery-electric truck will travel over 13,000 km through more than 20 European countries to gather real-world data and to send a message that electric long-haul transport is possible today. As Mercedes-Benz Trucks gears up for series […]
May 07, 2024
Spanish manufacturer Irizar E-mobility has won the Flemish public transport company De Lijn’s tender for a framework agreement for up to 100 electric buses for ‘high-quality public transport’ (HOV). Modern articulated buses bet on passenger comfort and are intended for longer-distance journeys. A possible investment of 117 million euros would be involved. According to De […]
May 07, 2024
Volvo Cars reported global sales of 65,838 cars, up 27% compared to the same period last year. The sales increase was primarily driven by a strong performance in Europe as well as the company’s fully electric small SUV, the EX30. The company’s electrified models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, grew 53% compared […]
May 07, 2024
Three bicycle models – the ‘Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0’, ‘Gazelle Eclipse C380 HBM’, and ‘Riese & Müller Charger4 GT Rohloff HS’ – are the winners of mobility organization VAB’s ‘Bike of the Year 2024’ election – the tenth edition. Ordinary consumers and a professional jury consisting of bicycle journalists and people from the bicycle leasing […]
May 07, 2024
A new plot twist in the saga surrounding bus builder Van Hool’s bankruptcy might jeopardize Australian GRW’s final take-over of the trailer division. CIM Capital, a Belgian investment company specializing in the take-over of ailing firms and one of the bidders, entered an official protest against the curators’ decision, which it calls ‘unfair.’ A judge […]
May 06, 2024
Chinese shipping giant COSCO launched the world’s first 10,000-DWT pure electric container ships, which it developed and constructed at the Heavy Industry Shipyard at Yangzhou. The ‘Green Water 01’ and its sister ship, Green Water 02, have a large-capacity battery combining for over 50,000 kWh. However, as it consists of multiple 20-foot battery containers offering […]
May 06, 2024
BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí is gearing up for production of the ‘Neue Klasse’. Construction of a local high-voltage battery assembly has now begun, along with expansion projects for the body shop, assembly, and logistics areas. A total of €800 million will be invested in expanding the Mexican production site. The ‘Neue Klasse’ will […]
May 06, 2024
CO2 emissions from major industries and aviation in Belgium fell by more than ten percent last year, the largest drop since the financial crisis. The figure is measured in CO2 equivalents, which convert the impact of all greenhouse gases together into the impact of CO2. The decrease was even more pronounced at the European level, […]
May 06, 2024
Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng is now accepting orders for its third model in Europe. The electric SUV G6 is initially available in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and it is cheaper than a Tesla Model Y. In Belgium, the Xpeng starts at €42,990 (190 kW, RWD, 435 km WLTP range), the same […]
May 06, 2024
According to a stability study commissioned by the city council, the right-wing of the station building in Tienen is in danger of collapsing. The building has been languishing for several years, and the Belgian railways NMBS/SNCB wants to assign it on a long lease to a partner who must also be responsible for its renovation. […]
May 06, 2024
Thirty years ago, the railway tunnel under the Channel between mainland Europe and the United Kingdom was inaugurated. Construction started in December 1987. For seven years, more than 10,000 people worked on this site of the century, which was often perilous and required the invention of new technology, such as the iconic giant tunnel boring […]
May 06, 2024
Renault has completed its C-segment E-Tech Hybrid vehicle offerings of the Arkana and Austral with the new Symbioz, a 4.41 m long seven-seater with a sliding bench seat that adjusts for trunk space or leg room and folds to create a flat floor if needed. It’s a modern interpretation of the Renault 16, launched in […]
May 03, 2024
With 400 gates, five parallel runways, five passenger terminals, and an area of 70 km², Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport is set to become the largest airport in the world. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gave the go-ahead for the ambitious construction plans this week. […]
May 03, 2024
Belgian registrations showed a slight decline in April, but the trend is positive over the first four months. Taking inflation and a larger crisis for European automakers into account, the national market demonstrates resilience. And lest not forget: despite the absence of the Brussels Motor Show, not everyone is keeping up their heads. Last month, […]
May 03, 2024
German technology conglomerate Siemens may build the railcars for the first high-speed rail line in the US between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Brightline, which is leading the project, has announced this. A fleet of ten railcars is involved. Siemens will also build a plant in the US to manufacture the ‘American Pioneer 220’ (AP […]
May 03, 2024
Research center Imec and eXia, a spin-off of the VUB (University Brussels), have developed the ‘Active Side Guard Blind Spot Sensor’, a revolutionary warning system that should prevent blind spot accidents involving trucks. Last year, the number of fatal blind spot accidents increased by 10% to a record level of 136 casualties. For comparison, in […]
May 03, 2024
A Belgian judge’s decision in an appeal has officially secured Stellantis’ move to completely rake in the joint venture with Belgian Punch Powertrain in Sint Truiden. The French-Italo-American car giant takes complete control over the production and technology of crucial Dual Clutch Transmission (eDTC) components for its hybrid vehicles (mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids). For […]
May 03, 2024
One of the speakers at the Automotive eMotion Summit organized by sector federation Febiac a few months ago was Georges Massing, who is working for Mercedes-Benz on autonomous driving and the integration of this in the car. Massing is Vice-President MB.OS Autonomous Driving and E/E Integration. In his contribution, Massing put great emphasis on safety. […]
May 02, 2024
Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies agreed on Tuesday to end the use of coal in power generation during the first half of the next decade. Still, they gave leeway to Germany and Japan, whose economies depend on the fuel. Germany has written into its legislation a final target to shut […]
