T&E: ‘Made in Europe could cut EV battery cost gap by two-thirds’

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 […]

BMW and CATL partner for the upcoming EU battery passport

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 […]

The world’s first Porsche Club exclusively for electric drivers

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 […]

70.000 Flemish risk fine for not registering home charging station

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 […]

Volvo adds a cheaper base model to fix sliding sales of EX30 

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, […]

Renault partners with Basquevolt on lithium-metal cells

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 […]

Polestar readies largest model offensive, but hybrids remain taboo

February 19, 2026

While competitors backtrack on electrification goals, Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller draws a hard line in the sand: the future remains electric, and there is no Plan B. Furthermore, the existing plan receives a big boost: an impressive expansion, with four new models over the next three years. Currently, the auto industry is defined by U-turns, […]

From rails to EV-chargers: the new wave of copper theft

February 16, 2026

High copper prices are giving copper thieves new ideas. For example, several charging cables at fast chargers in Limburg were cut last weekend, leaving them unusable. Similar damage cases were recorded in Houthalen-Helchteren, Heusden-Zolder, and Peer. The police and the public prosecutor’s office have started an investigation. Record price levels The copper price has risen sharply in […]

Solid-state moves out of shadows as QuantumScape starts production

February 11, 2026

Solid-state batteries are becoming less of a hype and more of a reality. One of the main actors in the pioneering technology, QuantumScape, launched its battery pilot line. A milestone in setting up and scaling production is widely regarded as the biggest hurdle for this heralded technology. The promise is finally becoming a product. And […]

Hungarian-built BYD Atto 2 aims to start a price fight

February 10, 2026

BYD intends to localize production of its compact electric SUV, the Atto 2, in Hungary. This should reduce its retail price by several thousand euros compared to the lots built in China, avoiding import fines. However, the Hungarian site itself is facing regulatory scrutiny from Brussels over alleged state subsidies. BYD is betting that European […]

ACC the pulls plug on EU’s battery ambitions in German and Italian plants

February 09, 2026

The European dream of a battery production powerhouse lies in smithereens after Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, confirmed it is abandoning two of its flagship factory projects in Italy and Germany. What was once hailed as the continent’s ‘Airbus of batteries’ now hinges on a single plant in […]

Forget NMC and LFP? China launches first production sodium-Ion EV

February 09, 2026

China’s Changan Automobile and battery giant CATL have unveiled what they claim is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries. It’s a major step for a technology that has long been seen as a lower-cost, safer alternative to lithium-based systems. The car, a variant of Changan’s Nevo A06 sedan, contains a 45 […]

After 265,000 km in 18 months, this Xiaomi SU7 battery refuses to die

February 06, 2026

A Chinese man’s daily driving habit has unexpectedly turned into a peculiar experiment in electric vehicle durability. So put away your established assumptions about battery lifespan under scrutiny. Mr. Feng, the proud owner of a Xiaomi SU7 Pro, has driven over 265,000 kilometers in just 18 months, and his car’s battery still retains 94.5% of […]

Battery bottlenecks push Peugeot’s EV deliveries back eight months

February 06, 2026

Stellantis, the mother company to Peugeot, is facing severe production setbacks on several of its electric vehicle models after one of its key battery factories failed to scale up output. The crisis centers on Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the much-celebrated European venture from the group’s cooperation with Mercedes and Total. Cell production struggles have left […]

Court of Auditors warns for Europe’s Achilles’ heel: critical raw materials

February 03, 2026

The European Union is struggling with its strategy to reduce its dependence on other countries for the supply of strategic raw materials for the energy transition. Obstacles hinder domestic production, and recycling remains embryonic. However, demand for these materials will only increase sharply over the decade. Raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare […]

T&E: ‘Under revised 2035 goal electric car share will drop to 85%’

February 03, 2026

A new analysis by Transport & Environment of the European Commission’s proposed revision to the 2035 CO₂ rules warns that the target rollback will reduce EV sales, boost fossil fuel use and emissions, and send a damaging signal to investors at a time when China is gaining ground in the battery car market. The European […]

Fast charging without guilt? CATL touts 1.8-million-km batteries

February 02, 2026

Chinese battery heavyweight CATL believes it has found a new way to take the edge off one of the electric car’s biggest anxieties: how long will my expensive EV battery last? In a short video released in January 2026, the world’s largest battery maker claims its latest 5C battery can withstand repeated ultra-fast charging while […]

Belgian cities introduce ‘rotation tariff’ for occupying charging stations

January 30, 2026

Occupying a public charging station indefinitely without charging will be punished. Drivers who fail to respect charging station etiquette risk a hefty bill. The measure is already being implemented in Antwerp; Ghent and Brussels are following. After Antwerp introduced the so-called ‘rotation tariff’, Ghent and Brussels are also adopting the measure to deter users who leave […]

Lucid Air wins winter test, but suffers greatest battery drop

January 30, 2026

Lucid Motors finished highest in Norway’s flagship winter range test organised by the national automobile association NAF. Once again, after claiming the summer test last year. However, in record-low temperatures, even the longest-running model fell dramatically short of its official range. The Lucid Air Grand Touring covered just over 519 kilometres before it was forced […]

Wallbox and Eneco join forces to expand Benelux EV infrastructure

January 29, 2026

On Wednesday, Wallbox, a global provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, announced a new partnership with Eneco eMobility, one of the top three providers of smart charging stations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to support the continued scaling of commercial EV infrastructure. Under the deal, Wallbox will supply its commercial AC charger, called ‘eM4 Twin’, for initial […]

Geely moves solid-state batteries out of the lab, not yet into showrooms

January 26, 2026

Geely, the Chinese group behind brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Zeekr, just announced that it will complete its first in-house all-solid-state battery pack in 2026 and start testing it in cars. It reignites one of the electric car industry’s most persistent promises: a battery that charges faster, goes further, and is safer than […]

Nissan’s new NX8 for China bets on two horses: EV and EREV

January 16, 2026

Nissan’s newest SUV, developed and launched first in China, signals a clear break from the product playbook that has defined the brand’s global lineup for the past decade. The NX8, a car from the Dongfeng Nissan subsidiary, is a reminder that much of Nissan’s zero-emission innovation is now emerging from its Chinese joint venture rather than […]

810 km on a charge: Volvo’s all-new EX60 aims to crush range anxiety

January 09, 2026

Volvo Cars is raising the stakes in the crowded compact electric SUV market with its upcoming EX60. The battery-powered successor to its bestselling XC60 will travel farther and charge faster than any electric Volvo before. The EX60, set for full disclosure on January 21, is positioned as a critical model for Volvo as it tries […]

Longer range lifts Volkswagen electric Transporter’s appeal for fleets

January 09, 2026

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has refreshed its electric Transporter and Caravelle with a larger usable battery, faster charging, and an all-wheel-drive option. This should align the vans better with the needs of fleet buyers who demand electric light commercial vehicles to move beyond city-only duties. A lack of incentives and demanding use cases are hampering the […]

Febelauto to introduce €50 ‘recycling’ contribution on EVs

December 23, 2025

The automotive sector will introduce a new environmental contribution to battery recycling from electric and hybrid vehicles starting in 2026. This was reported by Febelauto, the automotive sector’s management body for end-of-life vehicles and their batteries. This new contribution is in addition to the environmental contribution from the vehicle’s sustainable recycling. For a fully electric passenger […]

Half the energy at highway speed: what Renault’s Filante says about EVs

December 23, 2025

Renault quietly delivered a revealing electric-car demonstration at the UTAC test track in Morocco. It’s an experimental aerodynamic EV test car, the Filante Record 2025, which completed more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge with a standard 87 kWh EV battery while maintaining an average speed of just over 100 km/h. The distance is […]

Solid-state batteries are moving steadily from lab to production line

December 19, 2025

The promise of solid-state batteries is not waning, even as electric-vehicle adoption faces more headwinds now that the EU has revised its 2035 ban. In both China and the US, progress is tangible, as evidenced by the latest results from companies like QuantumScape and WeLion. Hongqi, a car manufacturer, has committed to bringing the technology […]

Zaventem police have been unable to use Tesla for six years

December 18, 2025

It sounds like something out of Kafka, but the Tesla that the Zaventem police purchased six years ago is still standing in the garage and has hardly been driven at all. The reason? There is no registration certificate for Belgium because the documents are stuck with a Dutch leasing company. The car will soon be delivered […]

BYD sets industry benchmark with 250,000-km EV battery warranty

December 16, 2025

Chinese carmaker BYD has announced one of the most generous battery warranties yet. The world’s best-selling EV maker promises a coverage of 250,000 kilometers, up from 200,000 kilometers previously. The increased mileage seems bold, even disruptive, but behind the figure sits a more complicated story about trust, technology, and the yearly mileage European customers cover. […]

Peugeot gets nostalgic and reboots the 103 moped

December 16, 2025

Peugeot is reaching for its two-wheeled past as it prepares to relaunch the 103, one of Europe’s most famous mopeds. But instead of pedal power, it comes with a battery pack this time. Set for launch next year, the reborn 103 blends familiar styling cues with modern tech.  For decades, the Peugeot 103 was a […]

BMW makes its battery bet clear with NMC recycling push

December 15, 2025

BMW has quietly drawn a strategic line in the fast-evolving battle over electric-vehicle batteries. With the commissioning of its new battery cell recycling facility in Bavaria, operated with circular-economy specialist Encory, the German carmaker is not only closing the loop on its electric drivetrains but also making a clear statement about which battery chemistry it […]

Mercedes returns to Korean LG as European battery ambitions stall

December 11, 2025

Mercedes has inked a significant new supply deal with South Korea’s LG Energy Solutions. On paper, the agreement appears to be a routine procurement for the carmaker’s next wave of electric models. But in practice, it exposes the deepening malaise within Europe’s battery ambitions, as one of the continent’s flagship manufacturing projects continues to miss […]

Ricardo report: ‘Charging stations in Europe to triple by 2030’

December 08, 2025

The charging infrastructure in Europe will increase from approximately 12.2 million charging points to around 35.4 million by 2030. That means almost a threefold increase over five years. This is according to a recent report compiled by the consulting firm Ricardo on behalf of the European division of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). A large […]

RESourceEU: EU Commission wants to reduce dependence on Chinese raw materials

December 04, 2025

The European Commission wants to make Europe less dependent on rare materials and other critical raw materials. It is allocating a budget of €3 billion for this purpose. Among other things, the program includes restricting the export of waste that can be recycled for valuable materials essential to the green transition, such as rare-earth metals […]

China introduces stricter battery certification for e-bikes

December 02, 2025

Since December 1st, China has introduced new, stricter regulations to improve the safety and quality of e-bikes, particularly their batteries. With more than 350 million e-bikes, the country has the world’s largest fleet. The stricter safety requirements govern battery safety and are intended to prevent illegal modifications that could reduce the risk of fire. The […]

How credible is EV Clinic’s warning on Tesla’s China-built NMC batteries?

December 02, 2025

When the Croatian repair network EV Clinic posted an unusually blunt warning on X about ‘catastrophic’ failure rates in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y NMC battery packs built by LG Energy Solution in Nanjing (China), the message rippled quickly across the EV community, picked up by sites like Electrek, ArenaEV, and others. But it […]

CATL and Stellantis break ground on Spanish battery factory

November 27, 2025

CATL, the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive batteries, and automotive giant Stellantis have started construction of a battery factory in Figueruelas, near Zaragoza. The expected capacity of the LFP battery factory is up to 50 kWh, enough to supply tens of thousands of EVs with batteries each year. For CATL, this is the third battery […]

Renault Trucks debuts E-Tech long-hauler with a 600 km range

November 26, 2025

At last week’s Solutrans trade show in Lyon, Renault Trucks finally pulled the wraps off what it had promised earlier as its spearhead for long-distance electric freight. The new E-Tech T 780 and its payload-focused sibling, the E-Tech T 585, build upon the architecture developed by Volvo Trucks. The new trucks aim at convincing logistics […]

ACC battery factory in Italy to close for good

November 17, 2025

The Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the battery cell joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, appears to be on the verge of permanently closing its factory in Termoli, Italy. An announcement could be made in a matter of weeks. The decision is imminent and could be officially announced by the end of this year or […]

Belgian Solar Team heads for American Challenge

November 14, 2025

In July 2026, the students of the Innoptus Solar Team (KU Leuven) will travel to the United States to participate in the American Solar Challenge. After a strong performance and third place in Australia in August 2025, the Belgian team wants to showcase Belgian innovation in America. For the first time, the Belgians are participating in […]

Clea Martinet, Renault: ‘EV manufacturing costs will fall significantly’

November 05, 2025

Cléa Martinet, Renault’s Director of Sustainability, says that “by 2028, manufacturing costs are expected to fall by around 40% compared with the first generation of the electric Megane.” In an interview with the German magazine Autoflotte.de, she explained that the most significant levers are the switch to LFP battery cells, more efficient electric drives, and […]

Ampere and Stratus Materials to develop cobalt-free cathode technology

November 04, 2025

Renault’s electric Ampere division and Stratus Materials have closed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). The aim is to use cobalt-free battery technology in the next generation of electric vehicles. This so-called LXMO technology offers an energy density comparable to that of NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) batteries at a lower price, similar to that of LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries. […]

Can a ‘charging mandate’ keep plug-in hybrids alive after 2035?

October 28, 2025

The German car lobby is pushing an unusual idea to boost sales of plug-in hybrids as the EU seeks to measure their real-life emissions more accurately. The proposal? A legal obligation for plug-in hybrid drivers to charge their cars regularly. The punishment for not abiding by that obligation is reduced power. A creative solution, but […]

France tests live highway with induction charging near Paris

October 27, 2025

France has launched its first highway capable of charging electric vehicles while they drive. On a 1.5-kilometer stretch of the A10, near Angervilliers, southwest of Paris, VINCI Autoroutes and a consortium of partners have begun real-world tests of an inductive charging system touted as an innovation that should complement the charging infrastructure landscape. Developed in […]

US cuts back on e-trucks, but smaller initiatives remain

October 13, 2025

With the current US administration under President Trump waging war on EV mandates, a nationwide rollout of e-trucks seems unlikely. But the road transport sector is still looking to cut emissions through initiatives that don’t compromise. The second Trump administration has been battling the advancement of electric vehicles of all sizes across the US. EV […]

Renault’s Ampere inaugurates Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory

October 08, 2025

Ampere, Renault’s electric subsidiary, inaugurates its Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory, a center of excellence designed to anticipate technological breakthroughs and strengthen Renault Group’s competitiveness in the electric vehicle sector. Operational since September 30, 2025, in the Lardy Technical Center, this cutting-edge laboratory is fully dedicated to battery cell prototyping and evaluation. It will play a […]

Tesla upgrades Model 3 and Y with more range and signal stalk

October 07, 2025

After months of sliding deliveries and growing unease about Elon Musk’s political antics, Tesla is crawling back. The American carmaker has not only retooled its two best-selling models, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, but also recorded a sales recovery during the third quarter of the year. Even in Europe, sales are partly […]

Most EV drivers complete journeys without recharging en route

October 02, 2025

A Dutch survey analyzing the habits and pain points of EV drivers has successfully separated some facts from fiction about electric driving. It appears that more than half never need to charge their cars while underway, and that the overwhelming majority charge their cars using solar panels. If you’re looking for the real needs of […]

Porsche turns electric Cayenne interior into a digital lounge

October 01, 2025

During a workshop for selected media, Porsche has unveiled both the interior and some preliminary technical details of its upcoming all-electric Cayenne. As the picture shows, the SUV relies heavily on digital displays that cover the full length of the dashboard. But there’s also news from under the seats where engineers claim the redesigned battery […]

Volvo launches long-range electric coach with diesel-like range

September 30, 2025

Swedish bus maker Volvo Buses has unveiled a new coach chassis capable of travelling up to 700 kilometers on a single charge. The BZR Electric platform, already used in its intercity buses, has been reconfigured with an expanded battery system that surpasses much of the competition. The new milestone bus is ready for Scandinavian and […]

Engie’s Vilvoorde-based BESS starts as one of Europe’s largest battery parks

September 29, 2025

After the construction of a large gas-fired power plant encountered permitting issues, Engie developed the country’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on its historic site in Vilvoorde, on the outskirts of Brussels. The 320 battery modules each contain dozens of battery packs, storing large amounts of electricity. Located north of Brussels, the Vilvoorde site has […]

Can this upgraded Volvo EX90 fix its damaged reputation?

September 24, 2025

Volvo Cars is pressing reset on its digital platform after a rocky start for its flagship battery-powered SUV EX90. The Swedish automaker has unveiled sweeping upgrades to the 2026 model year, including a jump to 800 V architecture. It also outlined plans to build extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in the US, as it seeks to rebuild […]

Von der Leyen stands firm on 2035 ICE ban but moves up formal review

September 15, 2025

At last Friday’s highly anticipated meeting of European carmakers with the EU Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen didn’t give in to the pressure to question the 2035 phase-out date of CO2-emitting cars and vans. Still, it was agreed to forward the formal review of the 2035 rules from 2026 to the end of 2025. […]

GAC officially enters Europe with Aion V

September 11, 2025

Chinese state-owned automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has officially entered the European market with the launch of its first global model, the Aion V electric SUV. The debut took place at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, where the company presented five models. The Aion V had previously been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show […]

Driving the BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring: the brand’s new bestseller?

September 10, 2025

BYD is reputed as an electric vehicle brand. However, in Belgium, its best-selling model features a plug-in hybrid driveline. After the Seal U DM-i, the Chinese carmaker is now doubling down with the Seal 6 DM-i, available as a sedan or an estate. Both come with some striking numbers, but is the ride just as […]

Volkswagen showcases solid-state breakthrough with Ducati prototype

September 09, 2025

Volkswagen has offered a glimpse of what could be the next big leap in battery technology, unveiling a Ducati motorcycle powered by solid-state cells at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The demonstration, featuring a modified MotoE racer, marked the first time QuantumScape’s lithium-metal batteries have been shown working in a real vehicle. The cells, […]

Up to €800 million in renewable energy projects on hold in Wallonia

September 08, 2025

The operation of EWATe, a government instrument set up to accelerate the energy transition in Wallonia, has been suspended. This is reported by the business newspaper L’Echo. As a result, several new projects, including battery parks and solar installations, representing investments of €600 to €800 million, have been put on hold for the time being. […]

Volkswagen pictures affordable EV future with trio of concepts

September 08, 2025

Volkswagen and its sister brands, Cupra and Škoda, have unveiled three interpretations of the previously announced ID.Polo, designed to move the group’s EV strategy into the mainstream. Shown on the eve of the IAA Mobility show, the Volkswagen ID. Cross, Cupra Rava,l and Škoda Epiq preview a family of affordable, small EVs that will enter […]

Suzuki starts global shipments of its first electric Indian-built eVitara

August 28, 2025

Suzuki Motor Corporation has begun shipping its first battery-electric vehicle, the eVitara, worldwide. The company hosted a dispatch ceremony at its Gujarat facility in India, where the compact SUV is produced. The event drew high-level participation, underscoring the importance of the launch for both Suzuki and India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister […]

Germany and Canada forge rare earth metals agreement, essential for EVs

August 27, 2025

Germany and Canada will collaborate more closely in the field of rare earth metals, such as cobalt, lithium, tungsten, and nickel. These raw materials are essential components for EV batteries, electric motors, and other applications. Both countries will finance projects in Canada for the extraction of these materials in the future. This was agreed by […]

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.