Amsterdam pilots smart EV charging to cut grid pressure

May 12, 2025

Amsterdam has launched a six-month trial of a smart charging scheme that aims to relieve pressure on its electricity grid while helping electric vehicle (EV) drivers cut their charging costs. The programme began in March, as cities across Europe grapple with the twin challenges of electrification and ageing power infrastructure. The Dutch capital is working […]

Longtime Tesla employee fired after calling for Elon Musk’s removal

May 12, 2025

Tesla faces mounting internal unrest after a veteran employee was fired for publicly criticizing CEO Elon Musk. He urged the company to replace him amid falling sales and reputational concerns tied to Musk’s political activity. Tesla confirms its reputation for customizing free speech to its own rhetoric only. Matthew LaBrot, a staff program manager who […]

Cadillac’s €300,000 Celestiq: the most exclusive car no one asked for

May 09, 2025

Cadillac’s hand-built electric flagship, the Celestiq, was meant to mark the return of American automotive grandeur. Instead, it risks becoming an expensive ghost — rarer than a Bugatti, but not by the board’s initial plan. Nearly three years since its glitzy announcement, fewer than 25 buyers have committed to the €300,000 EV, and even that […]

Sharp redesign for Toyota Corolla Cross and first-ever GR Sport

May 09, 2025

Toyota has refreshed the styling of its five-year-old Corolla Cross, enhanced cabin comfort, and introduced a GR Sport variant for the first time in the European lineup. The updated model will arrive in summer 2025, with the GR Sport following in the fall. Positioned between the C-HR and RAV4, the Corolla Cross was initially seen […]

Polestar to offer battery health certificate to second-hand buyers

May 08, 2025

Polestar is introducing official battery health certificates for used versions of its Polestar 2 electric car. The new offer must calm nerves across Europe’s struggling second-hand EV market. The Electric car maker says the new certificate will help ease fears over battery life and falling used EV prices. The certificate will become mandatory in the […]

Foxconn scores first global EV manufacturing deal with Mitsubishi

May 08, 2025

Foxconn, best known as Apple’s iPhone assembler, is entering the global electric vehicle market with its first contract to supply an established automaker, Mitsubishi, with a full electric model. Mitsubishi announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Foxtron, the EV arm of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Corporation (or Foxconn), to develop […]

Plunging used EV prices force leasing sector to rethink business model

May 07, 2025

Retail prices for electric vehicles in Belgium dropped nearly 12 percent year-over-year in Q1 2025. The numbers affirm the ongoing trend of low interest in zero-emission cars on the secondhand market. As the mismatch between supply and demand grows, leasing companies seek to reassess their residual value strategies. Will corporate vehicles become increasingly more expensive? […]

Hyundai-Kia’s plan of attack amid global headwinds: a lot more affordable EVs

May 06, 2025

South Korean management reads Julius Caesar. As attack is the best defense, the Hyundai group plans to launch a major product push to combat the economic cooldown and Trump tariffs. Most particularly in the lower regions of the electric category. What’s coming, as the fifth largest carmaker retools its strategy to stay competitive in a […]

Flexible battery layout to power future electric Mazda MX-5?

May 06, 2025

According to a newly published patent, Mazda seems to be laying the groundwork for an electric future for its beloved MX-5 roadster. The details uncover an unconventional battery layout designed to preserve the iconic roadster’s nimble character. The patent, filed at the US Patent and Trademark Office in late 2024, surfaced only recently under the […]

Uber plans 2026 rollout of robotaxis in Europe

May 05, 2025

Uber Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese autonomous driving start-up Momenta to launch self-driving taxi services in Europe. The project is planned to start in early 2026. The collaboration marks Uber’s first venture with a Chinese developer of robotaxis, and beyond its home markets in the US and China.  While Waymo already offers […]

800 km range, 800 V charging: the all-new electric Mercedes CLA (update)

May 05, 2025

Mercedes has officially opened the online configurator for its groundbreaking all-new CLA. As for now, only the 250+ and 350 4Matic can be ordered in Belgium, with a starting price of 56.870 euros. Entry-level versions –  set to lower the price considerably thanks to the integration of a cheaper LFP battery -, will be added by […]

Tesla board mulls leadership change amid steep sales drop

May 05, 2025

Should Elon Musk stay or should he go? Many have lately asked this question for Tesla, as the car company suffers a massive sales and revenue drop due to the CEO’s political endeavors. According to American media, the board has actively been scouting for a replacement. A month after reporting a staggering 71 percent drop […]

Lynk & Co 900 launches in China as brand’s flagship plug-in hybrid SUV

May 05, 2025

Lynk & Co, the Geely-Volvo-founded brand now operating under Zeekr, has officially launched its most ambitious product: the Lynk & Co 900. It’s a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV positioned to take on China’s fiercely competitive upper market. The 900, which was already unveiled at the beginning of the year, marks a bold step for the […]

2024 breaks traffic and accident records in Flanders

April 29, 2025

The Flemish highway network experienced its most congested year on record in 2024. Traffic jams, accident rates, and incident response demands reached unprecedented levels, according to the annual report by the Vlaams Verkeerscentrum (Flemish Traffic Center). As the body marks its 25th anniversary, it faces the challenge of managing a traffic system increasingly pushed beyond […]

Omoda unveils Europe-bound 3, rival to the Kia EV3

April 29, 2025

Chery’s Omoda grabs spotlights while the Shanghai Auto Show runs full steam. The brand took veils of one further model that is bound to be exported to Europe and Belgium. The Omoda 3 is a sharply styled compact crossover that targets younger buyers and competitors like the Kia EV3 and MG4.  The Omoda 3 wasn’t […]

Stellantis plans 2026 demo fleet with solid-state battery models

April 29, 2025

Stellantis claims it has taken a significant step forward in electric vehicle battery technology. It has cleared internal validation tests for its next-generation solid-state cells and is now paving the way for a demonstration fleet by 2026. But the revolution might be a bit less victorious than the press clippings suggest. The 77 Ah cells, […]

BYD doubles profit, strengthens hold on EV market as Tesla struggles

April 28, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD extended its lead in the global EV race with a record-setting first-quarter profit. The carmaker solidified its dominance at home while advancing its global ambitions. But over in Europe, the brand shifted strategy as it struggled with its dealership footprint.  The Shenzhen-based car maker’s net profit rose to 9.2 billion […]

Volkswagen and Uber to deploy thousands of ID. Buzz robotaxi’s in the U.S.

April 25, 2025

Volkswagen is stepping deeper into the autonomous driving race, announcing plans to bring a fleet of self-driving ID to market. Buzz electric vans through a new partnership with Uber. The German automaker aims to supply thousands of autonomous vehicles for Uber’s ride-hailing platform across the U.S. over the next decade, beginning with Los Angeles in […]

Chery expands European footprint with two new brands: Lepar and Jetour

April 24, 2025

The Chery Group, one of China’s most important car exporters, didn’t fail to wow at the Shanghai Auto Show. As it stunned the local market with a flood of models, it also announced that it would bring two additional brands to Europe, aside from Jaecoo and Omoda. Lepas will compete with Dacia, while Jetour aims […]

Analysts warn: Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto face zero chance of survival alone

April 24, 2025

Bad news for Chinese start-ups. As China’s electric vehicle market races toward saturation, industry insiders are sounding the alarm for the country’s well-known EV brands. Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto, once hailed as the darlings of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) boom, are now facing warnings from analysts and executives that their independent survival chances […]

Tesla struggling with plunging profits, Musk promises to refocus on business

April 23, 2025

Confirming expectations, Tesla’s finances have fared poorly at the start of 2025. The pioneering EV maker saw net income fall by 71% to just $409 million during the first quarter. If it weren’t for regulatory credits, the company would report losses, which means that its car-making business is currently in the red. Musk wants to […]

Dutch Flynt bets on 500 km range to shake up EU’s commercial van market

April 23, 2025

Is Europe’s light commercial vehicle market poised for disruption? Flynt, a Dutch-based startup with Chinese manufacturing muscle, unveils its first fully electric van. With its blend of European market insight and Chinese EV technology, the newcomer is betting big on clean urban logistics while meeting the hard-nosed demands of fleet operators. The company’s first model, […]

Horse Powertrain lets drivers fuel up their EVs

April 22, 2025

As automakers around the globe recalibrate their electric vehicle strategies amid cooling demand, Horse Powertrain is positioning itself as a timely solution. The Renault Group and Geely joint venture, with additional backing from Saudi oil giant Aramco, has unveiled a novel hybrid powertrain explicitly designed for retrofitting into battery-electric vehicles.  The Future Hybrid Concept aims […]

Can Renault’s Embleme change how EVs are built and drive?

April 22, 2025

At first glance, the Renault Embleme looks like just another sleek European shooting brake, long, low, and a little futuristic. But hidden beneath that sculpted bodywork is an experiment that could rewrite the rules of car manufacturing.  The Embleme dazzled crowds at last year’s Paris Motor Show. But it is much more than a concept […]

Stellantis-Marbel battery: cheaper and more sustainable

April 13, 2025

A European research project has unveiled a new battery design that could help electric vehicles become more sustainable, easier to recycle, and cheaper to repair. The battery, developed under the EU-funded Marbel project and backed by Stellantis, has been created with circular economy principles in mind. As such, it also aims at finding a second […]

EU and China explore price floor deal to replace EV tariffs

April 11, 2025

Will the EU’s punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs soon end? The European Union and China have opened formal talks on setting minimum prices for Chinese electric vehicles sold in Europe as a potential replacement. Both sides confirmed the development in negotiations, signaling a possible escape route from the escalating trade dispute that has shaken the […]

Renault refreshes Scenic E-Tech Electric, adds one pedal driving

April 11, 2025

Renault is on a winning streak, with good results and increasing brand recognition. The French carmaker is setting a high tempo to keep up the good work. A first update to the Scenic E-Tech Electric, which debuted only one year ago, serves as proof. The electric family SUV receives a raft of minor upgrades, from […]

Survey: Belgian drivers cool on EVs, skepticism grows

April 10, 2025

Belgian private drivers are avoiding electric vehicles. They cite cost, lack of infrastructure, and doubts about sustainability, even as the country embraces broader changes in mobility trends. According to the 2025 Mobility Barometer by insurer Europ Assistance, 62 percent of respondents say their next car won’t be electric, a 10 percent increase from last year. […]

Chinese automakers, led by BYD, surge in Europe thanks to PHEVs

April 09, 2025

Chinese automakers posted a significant sales gain in Europe this February, shrugging off mounting trade pressure from the European Union. Leaning into plug-in hybrids has helped them offset the punitive EU tariffs. BYD, in particular, is leading the charge — topping domestic sales, previewing record-breaking profits, and deepening its presence in key European markets. The […]

UK softens EV mandate, extends hybrid sales to 2035

April 08, 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has confirmed that hybrid vehicles will remain on sale in the UK until 2035 to mitigate the Trump tariffs and shield British automakers from their ripple effects. This is an extension of the previous 2030 ban, which Starmer reinforced as he took office. The ban on new gasoline and diesel […]

KG Motors from Japan bets big on a tiny EV

April 08, 2025

Urban focus, one seat, and no emissions from a battery driveline are the main features of the Mibot from KG Motors. This Japanese start-up wants to reinvent electric mobility by lifting the kei car into a new era. The dimensions are so small that the vehicle fits into a panel van. Japan must cope with […]

Leadership exodus at Tesla continues as software chief leaves

April 07, 2025

Tesla’s executive ranks continue to thin as David Lau, Vice President of Software Engineering and a key figure behind the company’s vehicle software platform, cloud services, and manufacturing systems, is stepping down. He served nearly 13 years with the automaker.  Lau’s departure, first reported by Bloomberg, adds to a growing list of long-tenured leaders leaving […]

Mazda’s China-built 6e begins export production amid tariff headwinds

April 07, 2025

Mazda has officially launched export production of the Mazda 6e, its China-built electric sedan aimed at global markets, including Europe and Southeast Asia. The first units rolled off the production line at the Changan Mazda plant in Nanjing last week. It signals the company’s renewed push into the international EV market, as the carmaker hasn’t […]

New e-motor from Ricardo aims to redefine EV powertrain sustainability

April 04, 2025

Engineering consultancy Ricardo has taken a big step in rethinking electric propulsion with the unveiling of Alumotor, a high-efficiency, rare earth-free electric motor. Their solution could help reshape how automakers approach sustainability and cost in EV design. Presented at the UKRI Materials and Manufacturing Showcase 2025 in London, Alumotor is the product of a consortium […]

Skoda unwraps fastest production model yet: Elroq RS

April 04, 2025

Skoda has officially launched its fastest production car ever — and it’s not a sedan or a hot hatch. It’s the Elroq RS, a beefed up version of its compact electric crossover that combines everyday practicality with a big shot of performance. Unveiled at Milan Design Week, the Elroq RS builds on the recently introduced […]

Hyundai gives Ioniq 6 a sleek overhaul and teases high-performance N

April 03, 2025

At the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, Hyundai unveiled a significantly redesigned Ioniq 6. The new look is even sleeker, resulting in a more aggressive version of its all-electric sedan. The refresh comes just two years after the model’s original debut and marks a bold design rethink to boost sales, which have been lagging behind its […]

Ionity, Fastned, Atlante, and Electra form charging giant Spark Alliance

April 03, 2025

As a symbol for Europe’s rapidly evolving EV infrastructure, four of the continent’s leading charging operators—Fastned, Electra, Atlante, and IONITY—have joined forces to create Spark Alliance. This strategic partnership must leverage the seamlessness, reliability, and user-friendliness of charging experiences across 25 European countries. However, it also tightens the space for smaller or new competitors. Spark […]

From star to scandal: Tesla sales freefall all over Europe

April 02, 2025

Tesla is facing a deepening crisis across Europe. Its sales keep plummeting, and the brand is experiencing increased politicized action. Once the undisputed leader of the electric revolution, Tesla is now struggling to hold its ground in key European markets. Sales have fallen to their lowest in four years in countries like France, Sweden, and […]

Northvolt slashes workforce in half under bankruptcy procedure 

April 01, 2025

Under its bankruptcy filing, Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt announced that it will lay off over half its 5,000 employees. The company, founded in 2016, has succumbed to mounting debt and what insiders now admit were strategic miscalculations. Once hailed as Europe’s answer to Asian dominance in EV battery production, Northvolt officially filed for bankruptcy on […]

Wayne Griffiths steps down as CEO of Seat and Cupra

April 01, 2025

Top management shake-ups keep rolling across the automotive industry. The news of Volvo CEO Jim Rowan leaving the company has hardly cooled, as Volkswagen Group announces the departure of Seat and Cupra boss Wayne Griffiths. However, Griffiths’ departure is different.  Griffiths’ sudden exit is at his request, as he seeks “new challenges,” though no specific […]

BYD teases new e7 electric sedan as affordable alternative to Seal

March 31, 2025

BYD is riding a wave of new model releases. This time, the Chinese car and battery maker teases with pictures of the e7, a mid-size all-electric sedan that blends cost-efficiency with practicality. While official specs remain restricted, there’s a strong indication of the vehicle’s place in BYD’s growing lineup. The Chinese automaker revealed the e7 […]

Peugeot to revive GTi badge with electric e-208 hot hatch

March 28, 2025

Peugeot is returning its famed GTi badge, but not as you know it. This time, it’s attached to an all-electric version of the 208 supermini, marking the brand’s first foray into sporty EVs. The carmaker’s newly appointed CEO, Alain Favey, confirmed the move and said the revival is part of an effort to reconnect with […]

Trump’s tariffs are particularly destructive for German carmakers

March 28, 2025

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff increase on all imported automobiles—set to take effect next week—has ignited sharp reactions across the global automotive industry, triggering concerns among European, Japanese, Korean, and even American manufacturers. Tesla seems to have gained the most from these measures, but Western and Asian countries are warning of […]

Trade war intensifies as Trump slaps 25% tariffs on car imports

March 27, 2025

The global auto industry braces for disruption after President Donald Trump officially confirmed his plan to impose 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and car parts. Critics say this could destabilize supply chains, raise consumer prices, and strain international trade alliances. Even a close ally of Trump, Elon Musk, warned on his social media channel X […]

BYD expands Ocean series in China with budget-friendly Sealion 05 EV

March 26, 2025

BYD has officially unveiled the Sealion 05 EV, a compact all-electric SUV aimed squarely at the mass market, strengthening its growing Ocean lineup and reinforcing its aggressive pricing strategy in the global EV race. Whether the model comes to Belgium remains a question mark. Officially launched in China yesterday, the Sealion 05 EV starts at […]

Stellantis faces mounting complaints over faulty onboard chargers

March 25, 2025

Stellantis is under increasing pressure as thousands of customers report persistent issues with the onboard chargers in its electric vehicles across Europe. Since 2019, owners of Peugeot, Opel, DS, and Citroën models have been dealing with a recurring defect that renders their vehicles unable to charge via standard AC stations, forcing them to rely exclusively […]

BYD blasts past Tesla with record sales surge

March 25, 2025

BYD has surpassed Tesla in annual revenue for the first time, cementing its status as the new driving force in the global EV industry. The Chinese automaker reported a record revenue for 2024, up nearly 30 percent from the last year. Windfall was particularly advantageous in its home market. Where Tesla posted revenue of €90.5 […]

Ailing European car factories pivoting to defense for revival

March 24, 2025

Once a symbol of Europe’s proud automotive tradition, several closed or downsized car factories across Western Europe are now being repurposed for defense manufacturing. Not only Audi Brussels but also VDL Nedcar and Volkswagen Osnabrück are trading in automotive parts for military components. This reminds us of how the automotive assembly sector was transformed for […]

Tesla recalls entire Cybertruck fleet over panels flying off 

March 21, 2025

Tesla has met its recall, which an over-the-air update can’t fix. The company must reserve all 46,096 Cybertrucks built to date after reports that stainless-steel body panels could detach while driving due to faulty adhesive. This raised safety concerns and further complicated the electric pickup’s rocky launch. The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed […]

IKEA Belgium adds seven electric trucks for home deliveries

March 20, 2025

IKEA Belgium is ramping up its sustainability efforts by introducing seven new electric trucks for home deliveries. The move aims to modernize its logistics operations. Built by Volvo Trucks in Ghent, these vehicles will handle large orders, such as kitchens and wardrobes, reinforcing the retailer’s commitment to eco-friendly transportation. The purchase of the electric trucks […]

The burden of being a Tesla owner: lower resale value, higher insurance rates

March 19, 2025

Tesla’s turbulent start to 2025, fueled by CEO Elon Musk’s political narrative, is lashing back at its owners. These face not only repercussions from activists throwing eggs and dog excrement at their cars but also higher running costs. For a brand that once set the pace for the global electric vehicle market, Tesla’s past few […]

Chinese scientists discover they can ‘cure’ degraded EV batteries

March 19, 2025

Scientists in China claim to have found a way to breathe new life into worn-out lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at Fudan University have developed a revolutionary lithium injection method that could restore degraded batteries to near-factory conditions. They say this breakthrough could dramatically extend battery lifespan and stabilize EV resale values. The findings, published in the […]

Stellantis teams up with Ikea-style Luvly to fight Chinese low-cost

March 18, 2025

Stellantis is partnering with Swedish startup Luvly to explore its innovative flat-pack vehicle production method. This method could dramatically reduce manufacturing and transportation costs and prove a worthwhile Western alternative to Chinese low-cost production.  With the Citroën Ami and its siblings at Opel (Rock-e) and Fiat (Topolino), Stellantis has already explored the market for microcars. […]

Audi scraps 7,500 jobs in Germany in cost-cutting strategy

March 18, 2025

The crisis at Audi deepens. Just weeks after the full closure of its Brussels plant, the luxury carmaker announced that it will slash 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 as part of a broad cost-cutting strategy. The Volkswagen-owned luxury automaker announced the move after lengthy negotiations with the company’s works council. The job cuts, which […]

BMW Neue Klasse iX3: start of a flood of 40 new models

March 17, 2025

BMW is preparing for an aggressive product rollout. As part of its annual earnings call, the carmaker unveiled plans for more than 40 new and updated models by 2027, starting with the highly anticipated Neue Klasse iX3. The German automaker is betting on this next-generation EV technology to reverse a 4% drop in global sales […]

Sluggish China sales and trade tariffs increase headwind for BMW

March 17, 2025

Releasing its 2024 financial results, BMW’s net profit plummeted by over a third last year. The German automaker warns of continued headwinds from trade tariffs and sluggish demand in China.  The Bavarian company reported a 36.9% drop in net profit to €7.68 billion ($8.32 billion), in line with market expectations and German competitors. However, geopolitical […]

Lee Zeldin rolls back EPA standards strangling US green transition

March 14, 2025

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a dramatic rollback of vehicle emissions regulations. The changes, led by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin under the Trump administration, will relax emissions targets for cars, trucks, and power plants. Critics say it marks a fundamental shift away from the agency’s historic mission of environmental protection. Trump’s oil […]

Squeezed profit forces Porsche to cut almost 4,000 jobs

March 13, 2025

Porsche is embarking on a significant restructuring effort, cutting 3,900 jobs as it faces declining sales in China, rising trade tensions, and a potential tariff battle with the United States. The German sports carmaker is adjusting its financial outlook and product strategy to maintain profitability. The company announced the job reductions to boost efficiency and […]

Northvolt’s collapse highlights Europe’s battery struggle

March 13, 2025

Europe’s pride in battery manufacturing, Northvolt, has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, marking a major setback for the EU’s efforts to compete with Chinese dominance in the electric vehicle battery market. Despite years of substantial investment from automakers, financial institutions, and government subsidies, the company failed to secure the $1 billion needed to sustain operations […]

Volkswagen: CEO’s pay rises while profits fall

March 12, 2025

Volkswagen’s profit dwindled by one-third last year due to slow demand and a cooldown in the Chinese market. But the salary of its CEO, Oliver Blume, rose. Will the near future relieve the ongoing problems at the German car giant? Volkswagen’s net profit plummeted 30.6% in 2024 to €12.39 billion. Europe’s largest automaker grapples with […]

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