November 23, 2023
Dutch start-up Kitepower is tapping into the revolutionary energy solution of kite-powered battery systems. The company unveiled the Hawk, an automated kite that can feed a big battery independently from the grid. It follows in the footsteps of Enerkite, its German counterpart backed by Volkswagen. The Hawk is a replacement for diesel generators that meet […]
November 23, 2023
The EU Parliament has voted on new CO2 standards for trucks and buses and is now ready for negotiations with the EU member states. The Parliament has largely adopted the positions of the EU Commission but added a loophole for e-fuels in trucks. The MEPs agree with the Commission’s proposal presented in February that only […]
November 22, 2023
Seven Limburg municipalities with a ‘coal mine history’ join forces to build an innovative 70-km bicycle highway between Beringen (West) and Maasmechelen (East), via Heusden-Zolder, Houthalen-Helchteren, Zonhoven, Genk, and As. The total investment amounts to 13 million euros. The first section of the so-called ‘Kolenspoor’ (coal trail) to be realized will be the route between […]
November 22, 2023
Van Mossel Group, already the biggest car retailer in the Belux, expands its brand portfolio for the first time with VW Group brands by overtaking Garage Mertens, a renowned car dealer in Eastern Flanders with dealerships in Sint-Niklaas, Lokeren, and Dendermonde. Van Mossel is already selling 25 car brands in Belgium. Exceptions were the Toyota/Lexus […]
November 22, 2023
Now that works on the Brussels Metro 3 have been delayed due to budget problems and the new line may not come into full service until 2038 or later, Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) is to investigate possible alternatives to increase the public transport offer on that planned line. So reports La […]
November 22, 2023
Renault has unveiled the fourth-generation Master. The large van gets an all-new look with improved aerodynamics, a completely revamped interior with the latest tech and safety features, and a second all-electric variant with up to 410 km of range. The all-new Master is available from spring 2024. After over 13 years on the road, the […]
November 22, 2023
European-American carmaker Stellantis and the world’s biggest battery manufacturer, Chinese CATL, announced on Tuesday the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the local supply of LFP battery cells and modules to power Stellantis’ B and C-segment electric vehicles in Europe. Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries have a long service life and higher thermal stability and […]
November 22, 2023
“If leasing companies electrify their fleets earlier, 18 million more households in the EU will have earlier access to cheaper EVs and save on their car spending,” claims the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). “At current electrification rates, 33 million households in the EU will have access to second-hand electric cars from today until 2035,” […]
November 22, 2023
Swedish battery maker Northvolt claims a technological breakthrough by developing a low-cost sodium-ion battery that no longer depends on scarce materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Utilizing abundant minerals like iron and sodium found locally offers an environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion. The first generation of this new battery has a density of up […]
November 21, 2023
The Dutch energy provider Eneco has applied for a permit to construct a large-scale green hydrogen plant in the port of Rotterdam (the Netherlands). The ‘Eneco Electrolyzer’, as the utility will be called, is scheduled for 2026, and the hydrogen plant should be put into operation in 2029. The Dutch utility will use electricity from […]
November 21, 2023
Hyundai and the American autonomous mobility company Motional have announced that the self-driving Ioniq 5 robotaxi will enter the US market next year. A fleet of vehicles has completed its test programs, and the production vehicles are undergoing final validation before entering the market in 2024. The Ioniq 5 robotaxi is a collaboration between Hyundai […]
November 21, 2023
On Monday, November 20th, the Belgian contractor Jan De Nul announced that it had signed a “milestone agreement” with the Egyptian government, represented by the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), to start the study for the construction of an undersea export cable between Egypt and Europe. Compared to the greater part of Europe, conditions for […]
November 21, 2023
A first section of the Regional Express Network (RER) between Ottignies and the junction towards Louvain-la-Neuve in Wallonia has been put into service. The RER, or GAN in Dutch, is a suburban network in and around Brussels. The 2,5 km stretch consists of two central tracks for fast trains and two sidings for local trains. […]
November 21, 2023
BYD has expanded its Ocean line-up of vehicles even further with the Sea Lion 07, a new electric coupé-SUV that kicks off a new subcategory within the Ocean series. The mid-size SUV is set to compete with the Tesla Model Y in size but with a much more affordable price tag. The BYD Sea Lion […]
November 21, 2023
A 70 km/hour speed limit will now apply on the middle or central lane on roads in Wallonia with markings for bicycle paths on both sides. So, reports Sudinfo and La Libre Belgique. The Walloon government’s decree, which sets the speed limit, was published in the Belgian Bulletin of Acts. The rule was already in […]
November 21, 2023
With a 14% share in new car sales from January to October 2023, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have overtaken diesel cars’ cumulative share (13,9%) in the European Union for the first time. Registration of BEVs increased by 36,3% in October to reach 121 808 units. Belgium (+143%) and Denmark (+100,7%) contributed quite a bit to […]
November 20, 2023
In 2019, the wealthiest one percent of the world’s population – 77 million people – produced as much carbon pollution as the five billion poorest people, representing two-thirds of humanity. The wealthiest one percent was responsible for 16% of global consumption emissions in 2019 – more than all car and road transport emissions. That is […]
November 20, 2023
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), China’s largest private-owned automotive group, has decided to release more shareholdings in Volvo Car Group. Geely offered some 100 million shares of Volvo Car Group at a list price of 37 Swedish crowns, resulting in a sales transaction of some €322 million. Thirty-seven crowns are 9% under the closing […]
November 20, 2023
Li Auto, a Chinese car manufacturer founded in 2015, has unveiled its first battery-electric model: the Li Mega MPV. This seven-seater adds to the recent influx of electric minivans made in China. However, Li Auto promises low energy consumption and super-fast charging thanks to an 800 V CATL Qilin battery. The Li Mega is the […]
November 20, 2023
Industrial start-up Verkor officially laid the foundation for its cutting-edge Gigafactory in Dunkirk (France). The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, attended the inaugural ceremony. The facility aims to produce high-performance electric batteries, for which it received a substantial investment of 659 million euros approved by the European Commission. Verkor’s Gigafactory, slated for operation by […]
November 20, 2023
Anyone who has booked a flight with Brussels Airlines during the Christmas holidays should cross their fingers: cabin crew have issued an indefinite strike notice. When the strike will occur is not yet clear, but staff threatens to inconvenience during the Christmas holidays. The direct cause, according to the union, is the company’s failure to […]
November 20, 2023
The Californian EV maker Lucid has officially presented its all-electric SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Gravity will go into production in late 2024, while Lucid expects a starting price for the electric SUV of under 80 000 dollars. According to the manufacturer, the Gravity builds on the Lucid Air sedan, creating “a […]
November 20, 2023
Geely’s new premium brand Zeekr, a sister company to Lynk & Co and likewise co-developed in Sweden, has launched its first fully electric sedan, the Zeekr 007, at the Guangzhou auto show. In less than 30 minutes, over 5.000 preorders were registered for this 4,8 m long sedan that sprints in 5,4 to 2.84 seconds […]
November 17, 2023
Volkswagen will help Vatican City in its transition to sustainable mobility. Next year, the German car manufacturer will deliver almost forty full-electric car models, ranging from the ID.3 to the ID.5. The new electric cars are part of Vatican City’s decarbonization strategy, aiming at making the Vatican’s fleet climate-neutral by 2030. Vatican City is committed […]
November 17, 2023
Belgian grid operator Elia and its Norwegian counterpart Statnett are investigating whether installing a submarine power cable between Belgium and Norway is possible. The cable would connect both countries’ high-voltage grids and integrate Norwegian offshore wind farms. A similar project was previously launched in Denmark. The study is intended to analyze the “technical and economic […]
November 17, 2023
Amazon has announced its foray into the online vehicle sales arena, initiating a partnership with Hyundai, which is set to start in 2024. Customers will be able to browse and purchase Hyundai vehicles directly on Amazon.com. The service is restricted to the US for the time being. On the opening day of the LA Auto […]
November 17, 2023
The Flemish government has released final details on the conditions for its planned EV subsidy scheme. One of the more remarkable rules is that discounted cars are eligible, which could affect the price cap of 40 000 euros for some models. Savvy dealers, granting targeted discounts, might shift more EVs than expected under the new […]
November 17, 2023
Brupass and Brupass XL tickets are now also available digitally in the MIVB/STIB, NMBS/SNCB, and TEC apps, and from the beginning of 2024, also at De Lijn. They’re the first digital tickets that allow travelers to travel on the four public transport networks in Brussels and its outskirts. For MIVB/STIB, this is an additional novelty […]
November 17, 2023
Candela Technology’s P-12 Shuttle, the world’s first 30-passenger electric hydrofoil boat, has finally taken off in Stockholm waters. After successful test runs at up to 30 knots top speed (55,5 km/h), it is now going into serial production at Candela’s Rotebro factory in Sweden. The first P-12 Shuttle will enter Stockholm city’s fleet of public […]
November 17, 2023
ABB E-Mobility, part of the Swiss/Swedish ABB Group, has acquired the Swedish start-up Vourity. The latter’s cloud-based technology is designed to simplify payment at charging stations for electric cars with various payment options. ABB is also securing essential technical expertise with the take-over. The acquisition of Vourity enables ABB to integrate the payment terminal with […]
November 17, 2023
The premium electric car brand HiPhi from Chinese manufacturer Human Horizons has unveiled the HiPhi A, a 960 kW/1 287 hp four-door, four-seat electric hypercar. However, it will take some time from the premiere at the Guangzhou Auto Show to the start of production. According to the press release, the HiPhi A should be able […]
November 16, 2023
Financially troubled French Alstom, manufacturer of trains, metros, and rail systems, has to cut some 1 500 jobs or almost 10% of all commercial and administrative positions. At the same time, it will sell business units, although it is unclear which ones will be involved. This should raise between 500 million and one billion euros. […]
November 16, 2023
This week, Volkswagen has canceled one shift on the line producing the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born at its plant in Zwickau, Germany, due to low demand. The same may happen at the second production line if the market does not change. Meanwhile, VW boss Thomas Schäfer is brooding on a cost reduction plan for […]
November 16, 2023
Opel has officially started taking orders in Belgium for the highly anticipated Astra Sports Tourer Electric, ahead of the Peugeot e-308 Electric. Its price is lower than a comparable version from the plug-in hybrid series. However, as the roomier cargo space, compared to the five-door, raises the bill by 2 000 euros, it overshoots the […]
November 16, 2023
ChargePoint is pushing the boundaries for fast charging in the US. It has inaugurated a cutting-edge platform, the Express Plus Power Link 2000, capable of delivering speeds up to 500 kW. Mercedes is the first customer under the umbrella of a previously announced collaboration for the rollout of a branded fast-charging network. It’s somewhat of […]
November 16, 2023
Porsche has dug up some €250 million for upgrading its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to build the next 718-generation, the fully electric 983-codenamed Boxster and Cayman. That will we done on the same assembly line as its current 982 siblings with a boxer engine or other two-door models like the classic 911. This will be […]
November 16, 2023
As a prequel to its Capital Market Day around Ampere, organized on Wednesday, November 15th, in the afternoon by the Renault Group, Renault’s electric arm is already uncovering its plans for the years to come. These include seven EVs on the market by 2031, one of them a small EV, called the Twingo ‘Legend’, to […]
November 15, 2023
The digital information screens in the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB stations are getting a new look. The new design allows more information during disrupted train traffic and increases readability. The new design can already be seen in Brussels station, and stations in the rest of the country will follow by the end of this […]
November 15, 2023
The Belgian federal energy regulator CREG has approved the new transmission rates grid manager Elia will charge for electricity distribution via the high-voltage network. The energy price will be significantly increased because the energy transition and expected EV boom will require a lot of heavy investments in the coming years. For consumers, higher rates mean […]
November 15, 2023
Lynk & Co subscribers in Europe lending their 01 plug-in hybrid to other users have earned themselves back some 850 000 euros in the last twelve months, sharing the car some 18 000 times or approximately for 1,5 million hours. By setting the rental price themselves, some of them even make a revenue of over […]
November 15, 2023
From 6 January, Flemish public transport operator De Lijn will start a new, significant step in the rollout of its primary accessibility network. Buses will be concentrated on lines with higher demand and thus drive less through neighborhoods. In the process, De Lijn will cut over 3 000 stops or about 17% of the total […]
November 15, 2023
Toyota has expanded its European commercial vehicle line-up with the Proace MAX, a derivative from Stellantis’ Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroën Jumper/Opel Movano quartet. It features six body configurations and up to 420 all-electric range. On the other side of the world, the Japanese manufacturer has revealed a HiAce passenger van with a hydrogen combustion engine. In […]
November 15, 2023
Geely’s daughter and exclusive EV manufacturer, Polestar, confirmed on Wednesday the successful start of production of Polestar 4, with first deliveries to customers in China expected before the end of 2023. The official launch in all other Polestar markets is planned for early 2024, with customer deliveries in these markets expected within the same year. […]
November 14, 2023
Avatr, the collaboration between Changan, CATL, and Huawei, has released its second model: the four-door coupé Avatr 12, following the SUV Avatr 11. It features a 700-km range, lots of high-end equipment, and up to 578 hp, with deliveries starting in December. 2022 saw the launch of Avatr with the Avatr 11, a large premium […]
November 14, 2023
Travelers can now test and help improve new features of the Belgian public rail operator NMBS/SNCB’s app before the features are integrated into the official app. They can test those new functions via the app ‘NMBS Lab’. That application is like the official NMBS/SNCB app but without the ability to buy tickets. Users can already […]
November 14, 2023
In 2022, 540 people died in Belgian traffic – one out of three fatalities was a cyclist or pedestrian. This score is far from the target of 320 road deaths by 2030. “Not enough has happened in road safety in the last ten years,” says Karin Genoe, CEO of Traffic Safety Institute Vias. “Many measures […]
November 14, 2023
BMW has ended the production of internal combustion engines at its main plant in Munich. The long-announced step was taken to make room for the production of electric cars at their biggest Bavarian plant. The manufacturer has wholly relocated the production of combustion engines to Steyr in Austria and Hams Hall in the UK. BMW […]
November 13, 2023
German automotive supplier and tiremaker Continental plans to cut thousands of jobs in its automotive department to restore competitiveness and reduce costs by €400 million, the company acknowledged on Monday. Continental didn’t give exact figures, but on Sunday, the German Manager Magazin wrote that 5 500 jobs, of which 1 000 in Germany, are at […]
November 13, 2023
Stellantis’s daughter Lancia confirms its return to Belgium and Luxembourg on the occasion of the presentation of Lancia Pu+Ra HPE at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in Brussels. Other European countries to return to are the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal. The iconic Italian brand has a history of 117 years but disappeared […]
November 13, 2023
EV start-up Canoo has unveiled a new model based on its Multi-Purpose platform: the American Bulldog, a rugged-looking electric pickup truck based on the Screaming Eagle built for the US Army in 2022. But the question remains whether Canoo will live long enough to produce the model. Canoo has had its fair share of uncertainty. […]
November 13, 2023
Belgian pedestrians are far from satisfied with the walkability of their municipality. The average result is 10,4 out of 20 when asked to assign a score. The figures come from the first Belgian Pedestrian Barometer, published by Tous à Pied, Pedestrian Movement, and Walk this Sunday.Brussels. The participants were invited to respond to various statements, […]
November 13, 2023
In a recent analysis of UK accident data conducted by the University of the West of England, academics have found car marketing to play a role in accident patterns. Subaru, Porsche, and BMW surface more often in accidents involving reckless driving. In Belgium, the statistics tell a different story. English academics are raising the question […]
November 13, 2023
Nearly 600 people participated in a protest march in Zaventem on Sunday against the expansion of Brussels Airport. The participants also demanded the abolition of night flights and a limitation on the number of flights annually. According to the campaigners, the government should impose binding targets on noise pollution and emissions. In the meantime, Flanders […]
November 13, 2023
BMW started the series production of the new Mini Countryman and its all-electric offshoot in Leipzig. It is the first time a Mini model is being made in Germany. The new Mini Countryman is scheduled to hit dealerships on 17 February 2024. It is also the first time the BMW Group produces Mini and BMW […]
November 10, 2023
Using the phone while driving? Check. Not using a direction indicator when changing lanes or parking in a place for people with disabilities or in the cycle lane? Check. A survey of over 12 000 residents of ten European countries, commissioned by Foundation Vinci Autoroutes, which operates toll roads in France, shows that most Europeans […]
November 10, 2023
Peugeot is the first brand from the Stellantis Group to release details and specs of its revised all-electric minivan E-Rifter. The same changes, which are a tad underwhelming, will soon be followed by the Fiat e-Doblo, Citroën ë-Berlingo, and Opel Combo Electric. It’s part of Stellantis One Pro strategy, regrouping all its LCVs under one […]
November 10, 2023
More than half of all Belgians (55%) and 62% of French don’t believe the electric car (EV) will replace the combustion engine (ICE) entirely in the long term. Austrians (65%) are even more skeptical. The opposite is true in the US or China, where 62 and 65% believe they will, not to mention the Turks, […]
November 10, 2023
The Rimac Nevera never stops breaking barriers and world records. After beating 24 records, the electric supercar has become the fastest car to drive…in reverse. On a test track in Germany, it went at 275,74 km/hour backward, thus breaking the official Guinness World Record. Rimac isn’t like any other carmaker. Not only did it manage […]
November 10, 2023
Polestar, Volvo and Geely’s luxury electric vehicle subsidiary, has released its latest financial results and unveiled new strategic initiatives during the much-anticipated Polestar Day event in Santa Monica, California. Guess who’s building Polestar’s latest model, the 4? Polestar Day is a platform for the company to present its technology strategy and innovations to media, investors, […]
November 10, 2023
Denver-based start-up Solid Power announced it had shipped its first solid-state battery cell ‘A-samples’ to German carmaker BMW for formal automotive validation. BMW is to produce solid-state battery cells in its own pilot plant in Germany based on the design of technology partner Solid Power. A first prototype car with these batteries is expected by […]
