June 19, 2026
From 1 July 2026, many traffic fines in Belgium will increase by 10%. The De Wever government announced the measure late last year as part of its efforts to raise additional budget revenue. The effective date has now been set. The increase applies to immediate-collection fines: the standard penalties imposed for many common offenses without […]
June 19, 2026
For all the attention around the MG 07, the more immediate Belgian story is happening behind the scenes. On 1 July, MG Motor Europe takes direct control of MG in Belgium and Luxembourg. A press release from the UK confirms the establishment of a Belgian subsidiary and the end of the distribution arrangement under which […]
June 18, 2026
The news that De Lijn plans to cut back on student transportation to special educations schools starting in September has sparked a great deal of criticism and uproar from school principals and parents to ordinary citizens on the street and in parliament. More than 200 bus routes are being eliminated because Flemish Minister of Mobility […]
June 18, 2026
The Porsche Taycan was the first EV to feature a two-speed gearboc. But now the German sports carmaker wants to reinvogarate the driving joy by adding fake gears, a feature that debuted on the Ioniq 5 N and which is also investigated by Toyota. The appeal for electric sports cars seems to reside in old-fashioned […]
June 17, 2026
Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) acknowledged as much last year: Floya, the Brussels-Capital Region’s multimodal app, needs to become better known. MIVB/STIB is now addressing the issue itself by announcing that it will discontinue the multimodal mobility app starting in 2027. The app cost 6 million euros to develop, although Van […]
June 17, 2026
Global electric vehicle registrations reached around 1.8 million in May, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data reported by Reuters. That was only 3% more than in May last year, bringing the first five months of 2026 to a modest 0.9% increase. On paper, that looks like a clear slowdown after years of double-digit growth. In […]
June 16, 2026
The Brussels Environment Council is calling on the region to adopt “a coherent strategy to reduce the weight of passenger cars gradually.” According to the Council, the weight of new passenger cars has increased by about 50% over the past 20 years. In 2023, more than half of new registrations in Brussels were SUVs, with […]
June 16, 2026
China aims to achieve a 40% market share for electric heavy trucks by 2030. That’s almost half of the national fleet sales in less than five years from now. And if the country’s new energy cars and vans, or renewable energy policy, are anything to go by, the People’s Republic does not do half measures […]
June 15, 2026
Solid-state batteries are often presented as the next great leap for electric cars, promising more range, faster charging, better safety, and perhaps lower costs. But Robin Zeng Yuqun, founder and chairman of CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, has given that optimism a reality check. And when such an authority speaks, it’s worth listening. […]
June 12, 2026
Renault Group will not turn itself into a defense company, as Europe’s car industry faces Chinese electric carmakers and the continent’s rush to rebuild military capacity. That was the message from François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, in an interview with Bas Kurstjens of De Tijd and other media during last week’s Automotive News Europe […]
June 12, 2026
Belgium has officially become the fifth EU member state to grant full approval for use of the Tesla FSD self-driving system. After succesful trials with a test vehicle, the Flemish Minister of Mobility, Annick De Ridder (NV-A), has granted approval. As regulatory barriers across Europe continue to fall, Tesla has simultaneously overhauled the pricing model […]
June 11, 2026
China’s rapid shift to electric and other new-energy vehicles reduced urban air pollution enough to prevent an estimated 262,000 premature deaths, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in Nature Health. The study’s researchers, published in May, compared actual pollution levels to a counterfactual scenario in which every vehicle on the road still ran on […]
June 10, 2026
Stellantis has teamed up with Bolt and Pony.ai to start offering robotaxi rides in Luxembourg. Not the city, but the whole country. Adding to other pilots, ranging from Zagreb over Munich to London, 2026 is unfolding as the year when robotaxis finally land in Europe. Luxembourg is a small country, but apparently it has a […]
June 09, 2026
It was the battery claim of the decade. Donut Lab introduced solid-state cells that shocked the battery world with their efficiency and blistering charging times. Now, it turns out that it was just a decent liquid lithium-ion cell with an ambitious press release. Finnish financial and criminal authorities are reportedly looking into the matter. Alarm […]
June 09, 2026
Fastned has opened a new fast-charging station on the carpool parking in Sint-Job-in-‘t-Goor, near exit 4 of the E19 towards Antwerp. The Dutch fast-charging company says the site, located on one of the main traffic axes in the Noorderkempen, responds to growing demand for high-power charging infrastructure in the region. The new station offers eight […]
June 09, 2026
Citroën’s CEO, Xavier Chardon, confirmed in an interview with German fleet publication Autoflotte that the new 2CV will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show this October. The concept, he says, will be “very close to the production model.” Sales follow in 2028, or exactly eighty years after the original premiered at the same […]
June 09, 2026
For many Belgians, the car remains a constant for day trips, weekends, and holidays. However, the high cost of driving is causing motorists to choose, plan, and drive more consciously. This is evident from a new study commissioned by Auto5 among 809 Belgian motorists. Almost half say they are more cost-conscious: they think more about […]
June 04, 2026
The world’s largest battery maker has publicly backed lithium-air technology as its long-term strategic direction. Not solid-state (though that is next up, too). Not sodium-ion (that is already going into mass production this year). The battery company that correctly predicted and pushed those transitions now says the real endgame is a battery that uses atmospheric […]
June 04, 2026
A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows that plug-in hybrids in Europe emit, on average, five times more CO₂ than official test values suggest. According to the study, the gap between real-world and certified emissions is particularly large for plug-in hybrids compared to other powertrain types, and continues to widen. In […]
June 03, 2026
Wallonia and Brussels lag behind Flanders in bicycle commuting to work. Of course, the terrain and the capital’s busy urban environment play a role in this. But according to Avello, an advocacy group for cyclists in Walloon and Brussels municipalities, Wallonia and Brussels are also structurally the least bicycle-friendly regions, and it is precisely the […]
June 03, 2026
Ride-hailing giant Uber announces a three-way collaboration with chip giant Nvidia and Israeli artificial intelligence startup Autobrains to launch a second robotaxi program in Munich. With a different software approach, the technology bets on fast scalability and carmaker independence. Uber’s new deal combines Autobrains’ autonomous driving software, Nvidia’s Drive Hyperion Level 4 compute […]
June 03, 2026
Despite earlier denials of the rumors, TikTok’s parent company is preparing to launch a car in its home country, China. It will be a crossover targeting the youthful audience typically active on social media platforms. The car itself will be manufactured by Seres, the Chinese automaker that’s also behind Huawei’s Aito brand. Five months ago, […]
June 02, 2026
Renault Group is a shareholder and, temporarily, the only client of the French battery-cell producer Verkor, and on Monday, it severely criticized the company’s growing lack of competitiveness and the 18-month delay in starting production. Renault asks Verkor “to revise its trajectory” and ” to come with credible governance”. “We will stay a partner of […]
June 02, 2026
Last year, the federal police recorded 10,1 million traffic violations in Belgium, a new record. Approximately 83% of all recorded traffic violations were speeding offenses. However, the majority of these are minor violations, involving speeds of 0-10 kph over the limit. This trend is largely attributable to the fact that traffic enforcement in Belgium is […]
June 02, 2026
According to the data of the sector federation, Febiac, and the federal government service Mobility & Transport, 33,625 new cars were registered in May, 2.1% fewer than last year. Febiac stresses that there were two fewer working days this May than last year, which is the main cause of the regression. Overall, looking at the […]
June 01, 2026
Japanese automaker Toyota has quietly killed its most technologically ambitious electric vehicle: the LF-ZC. It joins Honda, Mazda, and Subaru in retreating from their own electrification promises. When Toyota unveiled the Lexus LF-ZC at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023, it looked, briefly, like the world’s largest carmaker had decided to stop hedging. The […]
June 01, 2026
Enovates, the Belgian manufacturer of electric-vehicle charging stations established in Lokeren, East-Flanders, had to close its books after several years of financial losses. According to the newspaper De Tijd, the mother company, Connect Group, has finally pulled the plug. Enovates has installed several hundred thousand charging stations across Europe, and many charge point operators are […]
May 28, 2026
Lancia has unveiled the first images of the New Gamma crossover, the model “that marks a key step in the brand’s evolution”. Designed, engineered, and developed in Italy, the New Lancia Gamma is produced at the Melfi plant, one of the most advanced manufacturing sites within the Stellantis Group. The first vehicles are already undergoing […]
May 28, 2026
Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess plans to launch a new mid-range electric tractor next year. To this end, he has founded Diess E-Agrartechnik AG, based in Munich. One of the unique features of the e-tractor is expected to be a swappable battery system enabling 24/7 operation. Herbert Diess is undoubtedly enjoying an active retirement: after […]
May 27, 2026
The Tesla Cybercab leaves every other production EV in the dust when it comes to frugality. For robotaxi economics, its record consumption is genuinely significant. For everything else, context is more important. Tesla’s Cybercab has been officially certified by the US EPA at 165 Wh per mile. Converted to the European WLTP standard, this would […]
May 27, 2026
In April 2026, year-to-date (YTD) new EU car registrations increased by 4.2%, despite ongoing geopolitical factors heightening uncertainty and downside risks, according to data from the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA). In April only, the market increased 5.1% (YOY). “The market continued to benefit from strong consumer demand for a range of electrified technologies, supported […]
May 27, 2026
BYD is bringing plug-in hybrid technology to the B-segment, a class that until now has been bypassed or abandoned by car makers. The Dolphin G DM-i aims squarely at Europe’s B-segment. Not only is this the first model BYD has developed specifically for overseas markets, but it is also the only PHEV currently on sale […]
May 26, 2026
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn aims to restore punctuality in regional services to above 90%, although it has not set a specific timeline for achieving this target. Historically, regional trains from Deutsche Bahn, or DB Regio, did perform well, with punctuality consistently above 90%. But the German rail operator’s aging, worn-out network is undergoing simultaneous […]
May 26, 2026
Both train conductors and drivers at De Lijn, MIVB/STIB, and LETEC will soon be allowed to wear body cams. This was decided by the Federal Council of Ministers. The draft legislation must still be approved by the Council of State and then by Parliament before it can take effect. With this measure, the government hopes […]
May 26, 2026
Ferrari has unveiled its first battery-electric vehicle, the Luce, revealing a potentially polarizing four-door fastback that departs sharply from the supercar maker’s tradition and heritage. The Luce, styled by former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s LoveFrom collective, abandons Ferrari’s signature looks for a simple, futuristic shape with floating aerodynamic elements and hidden taillights. ‘Deliberate decision’ […]
May 26, 2026
Chinese tech company and EV maker Xpeng has achieved a domestic first: a robotaxi built entirely with in-house technologies has entered series production. But rolling a vehicle off a production line might well be the easy part. The real test starts in the second half of 2026. Xpeng has officially rolled off the assembly line […]
May 20, 2026
The French charging point operator (CPO) Electra is the first major player in Belgium to tie public charging costs to time-of-use logic. This means that off-peak rates will be offered that are lower than the average Belgian household electricity tariff. This scheme provides a new windfall for environments where charging is constrained by practical caveats, […]
May 20, 2026
Following the Volkswagen ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval, the Volkswagen Group is introducing the Skoda Epiq as the third model in its new family of electric small cars. Prices are set to start at €26,290 in Belgium, but most likely only more expensive models will be available initially, starting with a ‘First Edition’. The […]
May 20, 2026
According to new data from the International Council on Clean Transportation ICCT, zero- and low-emission architectures accounted for a quarter of all global light-duty vehicle sales in 2025. While established markets show significant variation, emerging economies — particularly in Southeast Asia — are rapidly accelerating the e-mobility transition. The global electrification of light-duty vehicles, combining […]
May 19, 2026
Germany has launched applications for its new electrified vehicle subsidy program. Backed by a €3 billion budget, the scheme aims to support around 800,000 battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders by 2029 through income-based grants of up to €6,000. Germany has officially opened applications for its new electric vehicle subsidy scheme after the program […]
May 19, 2026
The Antwerp-based ZAS Hospital Group is advocating a ban on shared e-scooters between midnight and 8 a.m., according to Gazet van Antwerpen. With this proposal, emergency services aim to halt the rise in accidents involving this mode of transportation. However well-intentioned it may be – and understandable given the frustration of emergency room doctors who […]
May 19, 2026
Ford plans to introduce five entirely new passenger car models by the end of 2029, all manufactured in Europe for the European market. These include a fully electric compact car, a small electric SUV, and three models available with various powertrain options. Ford has provided further details about its European plans: before the end of […]
May 19, 2026
Volkswagen is bringing the GTI into the electric era while drawing heavily on the badge’s heritage. A red stripe, tartan trim, and GTI mode meet 166 kW, an adaptive chassis, and a front-axle differential lock. The manufacturer will open pre-sales for the ID. Polo GTI in autumn at prices starting just below €39,000 in Germany. […]
May 18, 2026
If the European Commission has its way, there will be a single ticket for anyone wishing to travel by train across Europe. The measure, described as “a game-changer for rail travel” by European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, is intended to make cross-border travel on the continent easier. For international train travel, passengers […]
May 18, 2026
Revealed at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Vision BMW Alpina is a design study that heralds a new chapter for a brand, now entirely under the BMW flag, defined by sophistication and the mastery of both performance and comfort. “Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and refinement, where speed […]
May 18, 2026
For the past several years, discussions surrounding driverless, cab-less electric freight have been heavily dominated by a single European player: Sweden’s Einride. Now, a well-funded Californian challenger emerges. Humble proposes an alternative to Einride’s established ‘Pod’ architecture. Its arrival launches a new phase of competition in autonomous port and yard logistics. San Francisco-based start-up Humble […]
May 13, 2026
Following the Savane 4×4 Concept last year, Renault is unveiling a new variation of the Renault 4 Electric at the 2026 Roland-Garros French Open: Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept. A fresh take on the Plein Air and JP4 versions of the original Renault 4, ‘Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept’ is a modern beach car, an adventure-seeking leisure […]
May 13, 2026
Belgium will raise the maximum tax-free reimbursement that employers can pay workers for charging their electric company cars at home for the third consecutive quarter, highlighting how the country’s deeply entrenched company car system is rapidly adapting to electrification. From July 1, employers using Belgium’s official flat-rate system may reimburse employees up to €0.3222 per […]
May 12, 2026
The drastic reform of the car inspection procedure in Flanders, planned by Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder, goes in the opposite direction to the new regulatory plans of the European Union, says GOCA, the sector federation currently responsible for the technical and safety inspection. “We have a growing impression that a more ideological viewpoint […]
May 12, 2026
After building artificial lagoons, universities, hospitals, shopping malls, and entire private cities across Vietnam, Vingroup is now attempting something even more ambitious: exporting Vietnamese-built electric buses to Europe. Just a short drive from the monumental Vinhomes developments outside Hanoi, VinFast’s sprawling industrial complex in Hải Phòng reveals another side of the conglomerate’s ambitions. Next to […]
May 11, 2026
Last year, the car dealer group Van Mossel became the biggest car seller in Belgium. The group overtook importer D’Ieteren, which had been the most important car seller in this country for years. According to data from dealer data analyst Aumacon, requested by De Tijd, Van Mossel recorded 32,500 new-car registrations in 2025, while D’ieteren […]
May 11, 2026
Porsche has decided to wind down three non-core divisions, resulting in the loss of over 500 jobs. The closures are part of a sweeping strategic reversal that is stripping Porsche of the electromobility ventures it spent years building. The way forward seems to be the backview mirror for the German sports car maker. Germany’s most […]
May 11, 2026
Vietnam does not usually come to mind when discussing global industrial powerhouses. Yet on the eastern outskirts of Hanoi, an empire has emerged that increasingly shapes how modern Vietnam lives, moves, studies, shops, and dreams. VinFast, the new EV brand with a whole lineup of cars and its own electric buses, is now trying to […]
May 08, 2026
While its subsidiary Volvo is struggling with overcapacity, and the Ghent factory needs relevance through the production of Chinese models, the Spanish outlet La Tribuna de Automocion reports that the mother company Geely is in talks to buy a part of Ford’s plant in Spain. Chinese brands are boosting their manufacturing ambitions in Europe to […]
May 08, 2026
A BMW i5 M60 xDrive sedan assembled at Plant Dingolfing is the BMW Group’s two-millionth all-electric vehicle. The anniversary vehicle is going to a customer in Spain. Meanwhile, Group CEO Oliver Zipse revealed that there are already more than 50,000 pre-orders for the iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’. Plant Dingolfing began series production of all-electric automobiles in […]
May 07, 2026
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary wants to ban alcohol in airports in the morning, before regular restaurant and bar opening hours. The Irish low-cost airline reportedly has to divert a flight almost daily due to the behavior of some passengers. In addition to the morning ban on alcohol before 10 a.m., he also advocates limiting each […]
May 07, 2026
The half-millionth fully-electric passenger vehicle was registered in Belgium earlier this week. To celebrate this milestone, advocacy group EV Belgium held a small ceremony, handing over the keys to a new Polestar. It also reflected the positive market developments that enabled accelerated growth in EV adoption in Belgium. Three years ago, in early 2023, the […]
May 07, 2026
California is closing a years-old legal loophole that made driverless cars effectively untouchable by traffic police. Starting this summer, autonomous vehicle manufacturers can be fined directly for moving violations committed by their vehicles. The question is: aren’t robotaxis built to behave under all conditions? For years, driverless cars in California operated in a gray zone. […]
May 06, 2026
The Ghent-based software builder for charging stations, Optimile, has found a new breath. To expand its operations at a European level, the company has been fully acquired by the German fuel card giant DKV Mobility. The takeover fits into a broader scenario, as the latter has been buying similar companies over the past few years […]
