Tesla sacrifices ‘Full Self-Driving’ name in battle for EU approval

October 12, 2026

Tesla has abandoned one of its most controversial marketing claims in Europe. Its ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ software is now called ‘Tesla Assisted Driving’, following a compromise with the German government. But the change is more than cosmetic: it could help unlock the European market for Tesla’s advanced driving software, despite disagreements over speeding, safety and […]

World first: CMB.TECH’s ammonia-powered bulk carrier makes history

October 12, 2026

The Antwerp-based. shipping group CMB.TECH has launched the world’s first dry bulk carrier powered by ammonia. The vessel Mineral Europa has set sail on its maiden voyage to Australia. It is a Newcastlemax, an ore and coal carrier with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 210,000 metric tons. “The Mineral Europa heralds the fifth revolution in […]

Climate protests grow again, but is Europe losing its green momentum?

October 12, 2026

Tens of thousands of people returned to the streets of Brussels on Sunday in one of Belgium’s largest climate demonstrations since the historic school strikes of 2019. Police counted 45,000 participants, while organizers estimated 60,000, roughly twice last year’s turnout. Yet the renewed mobilization comes as climate ambitions increasingly compete with economic pressures, wars, and […]

Europe puts Chinese hybrids on a leash, but can’t tame competition

October 12, 2026

Europe has reached a preliminary agreement with China to restrict rapidly growing imports of Chinese hybrid cars, potentially cutting future shipments by more than half. But while Brussels celebrates a trade breakthrough, Beijing insists exports can continue growing. Meanwhile, a new Allianz Trade study suggests Europe’s automotive crisis is partly self-inflicted. Will protectionism give European […]

Aggression against Belgian rail staff leads to twice as much sick leave

October 09, 2026

While 2,102 incidents of aggression against NMBS//SNCB staff were recorded in 2024, the figure rose by nearly a quarter the following year to 2,602 incidents. However, the impact on the Belgian railway company’s staff rose even more rapidly: aggression against staff resulted in 95,336 hours of sick leave last year, more than double the previous […]

Dutch regulator scaled back Tesla FSD review after €365,000 billing row

October 09, 2026

A dispute over a €365,000 invoice prompted the Dutch vehicle regulator RDW to scale back parts of its safety review of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system, according to internal correspondence obtained by Reuters. The revelations raise fresh questions about the transparency and independence of Europe’s approval process, as Tesla pushes regulators to clear its […]

Belgium’s EV tax honeymoon ends in 2027: why ordering now matters

October 09, 2026

Belgium’s electric company cars are approaching another fiscal turning point. From January 2027, newly ordered EVs will lose part of their generous tax deductibility for the first time. Leasing company Ayvens estimates that postponing an order for 50 BMW iX1s until next year could cost the company almost €35,000 over five years. But does that […]

Last M7s roll out as Alstom Bruges faces an uncertain future

October 08, 2026

In the coming weeks, the French train manufacturer Alstom will build the last M7 double-decker railcars for the NMBS/SNCB railway company in Bruges. The last of the 751 ordered cars is expected to be ready by the end of the year, but after that, it is a complete unknown – or at best, full of question […]

From 61,000 to seven: Belgium’s busiest and quietest train stations

October 08, 2026

With an average of more than 60,000 passengers boarding on weekdays, Brussels’ 3 main stations remain the busiest train stations in Belgium. This was revealed by figures from the public railway company NMBS/SNCB, which used a new and more accurate counting method. The contrast with the quietest station could not be greater: in Hourpes in […]

Friday strike chaos: 40% of Brussels Airlines flights canceled

October 07, 2026

Brussels Airlines expects major disruptions on Friday due to the union protests against federal government measures. About 4 in 10 scheduled flights to and from Brussels Airport have been canceled due to disruptions expected at the ground-handling provider Alyzia. Service provided by the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn will also be severely disrupted that […]

Belgium to test Swedish-style ‘alcohol gates’ at public venues

October 07, 2026

Belgium wants to introduce Swedish-style ‘alcohol gates’ at public locations as part of a broader crackdown on drink-driving. The system, already used in Sweden, requires drivers to pass a breath test before a barrier opens, preventing those over the limit from entering the public road network. The federal government plans to test the technology at […]

Traxio: ‘Used speed pedelecs sales nearly doubled in three years’

October 07, 2026

Registrations of new speed pedelecs during the summer months were, on average, just under 20% higher than last year. As a result, the total figure for the first nine months – 12,293 units – is a remarkable 13.4% higher than in 2025, and 14% higher than in 2024. “If this rapid growth continues over the […]

Antwerp, Rotterdam and Rhine-Ruhr ports deepen alliance

October 06, 2026

At a Port Summit in Meise, the ports of Flanders, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia signed an agreement to collaborate more closely and effectively in the future, particularly in circular value chains and automated freight transport. Together, the ports and the surrounding industrial area form the European Union’s largest economic and logistical hub, generating about […]

Traxio: used EVs rise as private buyers tighten car budgets

October 06, 2026

Geopolitical uncertainty, high interest rates, and equally high gasoline prices are making consumers hesitate when buying a car. Private customers, in particular, are looking for good deals more than ever; they gather thorough information and want maximum certainty. Yet they keep buying cars, mostly used ones, including electric vehicles. Private individuals consistently focus on a car’s […]

Volvo Cars drops 2026 forecast; Stefan Fesser returns to Volvo Ghent

October 05, 2026

Volvo Cars reported global sales of 141,609 cars in the third quarter of 2026, down 10.7% from the same period last year. Sales during the quarter were impacted by a further deterioration in market conditions in China, where industry volumes remained under significant pressure, as well as a slower-than-expected recovery in the U.S. As a […]

Brussels adopts more lenient approach to boost electric taxis

October 05, 2026

A taxi with an internal combustion engine may remain in service in Brussels for up to 9 years, instead of 7. With this extension, the Brussels government aims to give the taxi sector more time to make the transition to zero-emission vehicles. However, the requirement that, starting January 1, 2027, only zero-emission new taxis may […]

Minister requires airplanes flying over Brussels to change their flight paths

October 02, 2026

Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) has proposed a series of operational and structural measures to reduce noise pollution around Brussels Airport. The minister was backed into a corner: he had to submit a proposal to the court by October 1, or risk a penalty of 10,000 euros for each new noise violation. Crucke […]

Ghent offers 11,000 families their own mobility budget

October 02, 2026

The city of Ghent wants to help 11,000 families with a social mobility budget. From 1 May 2027, they can get financial support for car sharing, bike sharing, purchasing or renting a bicycle, bicycle repairs, cycling lessons, and collective transport to work. The city is allocating 4.46 million euros for this purpose.  Mobility Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke […]

Belux new car registrations up 1.9% in September, more than half are BEVs

October 02, 2026

According to data from the sector federation Febiac and the federal public service Mobility & Transport, new car registrations in belgium and Luxembourg were 1.9% higher than in September last year. The result for the first three quarters of 2026 cumulated is -1% compared to 2025. More importantly, for the first time in the Belux, […]

NMBS/SNCB details December train boost for Limburg and Antwerp

October 01, 2026

Starting December 13, additional early and late trains will run to and from Hasselt in the province of Limburg. Service will also be expanded in the province of Antwerp. This is evident from the presentation of the new schedule that the Belgian railway company is implementing. The broad outlines of this new train service have […]

Belgium and Engie buy another month for nuclear takeover talks

October 01, 2026

No decision will be made on October 1 regarding the possible nationalization of the nuclear reactors in Belgium operated by energy giant Engie. The Belgian government and Engie have agreed to postpone the deadline for negotiations on a possible takeover until November 4. According to the joint statement from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of […]

Flanders’ new budget shields infrastructure, but slows down De Lijn’s growth

October 01, 2026

Mobility infrastructure is largely escaping the axe in the Flemish government’s biggest savings operation yet. While Flanders must find nearly €2 billion in savings next year and more than €3 billion by 2029, roads, waterways, and other major public works remain relatively protected compared with many other policy areas. Of the total effort, €1.2 billion […]

Antwerp premetro renovation not set to be completed until July 2027

September 30, 2026

Because workers found more asbestos than expected in previously inaccessible areas, renovation work on the Antwerp premetro tunnel between the Left and Right Banks has been delayed by 3 months. The work is now not expected to be completed until July 2027. The alternatives offered since the closure will remain available until then. These include […]

Very slight increase in company cars in Belgium, debate on the issue remains polarizing

September 29, 2026

Recently, yet another stir arose over the status of company cars in Belgium. As part of federal budget negotiations, the Planning Bureau listed more than 250 cost-saving options, including one that sparked considerable debate: eliminating or reducing tax benefits for company cars and fuel cards. Once implemented, that could generate 4,5 to 5,5 billion, nearly […]

Touring: ‘issues remain for EV transition of Belgian private buyers’

September 29, 2026

The Belgian car market seems to have finally turned toward electrification. But mobility organization Touring says the transition is largely due to company cars, and warns that issues remain for private buyers. For example, the ease and cost of public charging. For the first time ever, there are more hybrid and electric cars on the […]

VW ID. Tiguan: LFP batteries to boost sales?

September 29, 2026

Volkswagen has confirmed what unions already leaked at the beginning of the year: its facelifted ID. 4 will return as the ID. Tiguan. The German carmaker has released camouflaged photos ahead of the world premiere in October, around the Paris Motor Show. Change in strategy As we reported back in January, IG Metall first let […]

Bigger battery for Kia PV5 Chassis Cab boosts range

September 28, 2026

Kia is fitting its PV5 Chassis Cab with an optional 71.2 kWh battery, nearly 40 percent larger than the 51.5 kWh pack the conversion-friendly van launched with late last year. The long-range version of the PV5 keeps the 120 kW motor and adds 10-80 percent DC fast charging in about 30 minutes, with a full […]

Tesla’s FSD ignores speed limit in Brussels test and lies to the driver 

September 28, 2026

The Belgian road safety group Johanna has put Tesla’s self-driving system, FSD, to the test and found that it continuously breaks the speed limit. Worse: it lies to the driver about the ruling speed limit even though it reads it correctly. A Tesla running Full Self-Driving broke the speed limit in 55% of the 30 […]

Belgian personalized license plates: offensive combinations can now be revoked

September 28, 2026

Belgians can get a license plate with a personal message by simply paying for it. The DIV, the Belgian vehicle registry office, can now officially revoke offensive combinations that were inadvertently accepted. For the Belgian government, personalized license plates are quite lucrative. A license plate containing any combination of up to 8 letters and numbers […]

Infrabel and Siemens sign €215 million contract for Belgian digital rail

September 25, 2026

The Belgian rail network operator Infrabel has signed a new contract with Siemens Mobility to maintain, further develop, and modernize the Operational Control System (OCS), a digital system that ensures trains run safely and smoothly across the Belgian railway network. The framework agreement, worth 215 million euros, will run for 11 years and is also […]

Plasman closes and exposes the slow death of Volvo Ghent’s supply chain

September 25, 2026

Canadian bumper manufacturer Plasman is closing its Ghent factory, costing more than 300 jobs. The announcement follows an earlier decision by axle-parts supplier Benteler to shut its nearby site next spring. The local supply network that once sustained Volvo’s assembly line is now effectively gone. But how come? Remaining production evaporated Plasman throwing in the […]

European first: Brussels Airport tests mobile blending facility for SAF

September 24, 2026

Brussels Airport is the first European airport to test a mobile blending facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project is the final phase of the Stargate project, established with the support of the European Commission, through which the airport has explored more than 30 sustainability measures in recent years. “We remain committed to […]

The Brussels Metro celebrates its 50th anniversary

September 23, 2026

50 years ago – on September 20, 1976, to be exact – King Baudouin inaugurated the Brussels Metro. The network, which now comprises just under 40 km of track spread across 4 lines with some 60 stations, carries more than 150 million passengers a year, making it by far the most popular mode of transportation […]

ASWR launches new e-scooter safety campaign in Wallonia

September 23, 2026

Just as in Flanders and Brussels, the number of e-scooter accidents is also rising in Wallonia. And although drinking and riding don’t mix, according to the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR), more than one in ten e-scooter users (12%) involved in an accident tested positive for alcohol. Precisely because of the significant increase in accidents […]

Chinese brand Geely expands to 16 Belgian dealers in six months

September 23, 2026

Geely Auto Benelux is adding two new Belgian dealerships to its network. The expansion coincides with the arrival of the E2, a sub-€20,000 electric hatchback poised to give Western brands a run for their money in Europe. Nivelles and Genk In the six months after the Chinese brand – part of the holding with the […]

Renault tests its premium ceiling with €60,500 Rafale Hypnotic

September 22, 2026

Renault is testing just how far its diamond badge can stretch into premium territory. The new Rafale Hypnotic will cost €60,500 in Belgium and be limited to 1,500 numbered cars across Europe. But beneath the exclusive satin-black finish, there is no extra horsepower: mechanically, it remains the same 300-hp Rafale Atelier Alpine. That makes the […]

CAE to close training center, Brussels Airlines to train pilots abroad

September 22, 2026

The Canadian aviation training provider CAE will close its pilot training center at Brussels Airport at the end of this year. The company, which has been operating at a loss, confirmed this in discussions with the unions. Brussels Airlines, which had all its pilots trained at the center, has found alternatives abroad. Active in Brussels […]

One in five bike paths along Flemish regional roads is still a ‘death strip’

September 22, 2026

Just over a quarter of the bike paths on Flemish regional roads, or 2,623 km (26%) of a total network estimated at over 10,000 km, do not meet safety standards and are not sufficiently elevated or separated from the roadway. The province of Limburg has the highest proportion of dangerous road stretches (30%), Antwerp the […]

VIAS study: GAS fines for speeding are not a revenue model, but they do pose a risk

September 22, 2026

Many drivers in Belgium feel like they’re being “milked” when they receive a GAS fine for a minor speeding violation in the mail. Yet local governments primarily use these GAS fines to promote traffic safety, not as a revenue stream. This is evident from a comprehensive study by the Vias Traffic Institute and Ghent University, […]

Belgian Solar Team finishes second in 24h European solar race in Zolder

September 21, 2026

Twente University’s Top Dutch Solar Racing has won the 24h iLumen European Solar Challenge on the circuit of Zolder. The Belgian Innoptus Solar Team, run by KU Leuven students, came second in their BluePoint Atlas car, losing its European title. Over the past weekend, the Belgian Zolder circuit was the place to be for solar […]

New NMBS/SNCB train schedule adds nearly 600 extra trains per week

September 21, 2026

Although the Belgian railway company NMBS/SNCB has not yet fully announced the new schedule for all provinces, many areas will see the addition of extra early and late trains starting Sunday, December 13. Across the entire country, the new 2026-2029 transportation plan – which will be rolled out in three phases from December 2026 through […]

Only minor Tesla self-driving accidents in Belgium, as fatal crashes reach peak in the U.S.

September 21, 2026

Flanders Minister of Mobility, Annick De Ridder (NV-A), has published the first safety data from three months of Tesla’s supervised self-driving system on Belgian roads. The encouraging results report only five minor incidents. At the same time, FSD had its deadliest month in the US.  Since June, owners of Teslas equipped with FSD are allowed […]

The new Volvo boss will be current Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer

September 21, 2026

Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer, who has led the Volkswagen Group subsidiary to record profits while expanding its full-electric lineup, will succeed Hakan Samuelsson as chief executive officer and president at Volvo Cars. The appointment aims to bring proven leadership in electrification and profitability as Volvo navigates intense competition in premium electric vehicles and prepares to […]

Genk-based team gives BMW Motorrad historic endurance title

September 21, 2026

BMW Motorrad has made motorcycle racing history by becoming the first European manufacturer to win the FIM Endurance World Championship. But behind the German badge is a remarkably Belgian operation: the factory team is run by former Belgian racer Werner Daemen, whose MRP Racing organization is based in Genk. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team […]

EV Belgium: ‘Belgian drivers to save €1.8 billion per year from 2030’

September 18, 2026

According to EV Belgium, Belgium’s Electric Vehicle Association, current fossil fuel pump prices demonstrate, above all, that Belgium must look beyond temporary measures when oil prices rise. For EV Belgium, this trend confirms that the transition to electric mobility is no longer merely a climate issue, but also, increasingly, a matter of purchasing power, energy […]

Belgian car parc turns a corner: more electrified vehicles than diesels on the road

September 18, 2026

For the first time, Belgium’s roads carry more electrified cars than diesel vehicles. For a country where most citizens once had diesel flowing through their veins, that is an important milestone.  Petrol remains dominant Official figures released by Statbel show that the combined electrified fleet in Belgium reached 1,512,874 units at the beginning of last […]

“Bright future for Ghent”: Volvo confirms production volume from a second brand

September 17, 2026

Volvo’s Gent factory is saved. During the Strategy 2026 call, the carmaker has confirmed that a second brand will roll off its production lines in the near future. No concrete names were unveiled, but a Geely-model seems most likely. No factory closures The employees at Volvo Car Gent can take a sigh of relief. During […]

One million monthly rides on Bolt e-scooter and e-bikes in Belgium

September 17, 2026

June, July, and August: For the third month in a row, Bolt has recorded more than 1 million rides on e-scooters and e-bikes in Belgium – a milestone for the company in its 5 years of operation in the country. That’s more than double the number from a year ago. Together, those monthly trips total […]

Ring Ring: Touring offers free bike safety checks for schools

September 17, 2026

Many children bike to school every day, but their bikes – blame it on the parents – aren’t always safe, ranging from missing reflectors and broken lights to worn-out brakes. To address this problem, the mobility organization and roadside assistance provider Touring is launching Ring Ring Bike Squad, a free package for schools to organize […]

Nissan kicks off the popular Kicks in Europe to battle the Chinese

September 17, 2026

It has sold 1.8 million units across 70 countries since it was launched ten years ago. Still, it never made it to European shores. Until now. Nissan will build the Kicks in the UK to fill the slot from the outgoing combustion-engined Juke. But it’s a different type of species. Manufactured at the Sunderland plant […]

Green hydrogen production starts at former Opel site in Antwerp

September 16, 2026

The U.S. company Power to Hydrogen will start production of green hydrogen this Friday in the Port of Antwerp. The site opens at the so-called NextGen District, the innovation hub of Port of Antwerp-Bruges on the premises of the former Opel factory. The goal is to produce 50 metric tons of green hydrogen annually. The […]

40% of Flemish drivers can’t keep up with new traffic rules

September 16, 2026

For those who feel like it’s been an eternity since they took their driver’s license exam, the Great Traffic Quiz is back again this year. Through October 14, anyone can visit www.degroteverkeersquiz.be to test their knowledge of traffic, mobility, and safety. A playful traffic quiz like this turns out to be sorely needed: according to […]

Li Auto: European debut at Paris Motor Show 2026

September 16, 2026

Chinese manufacturer Li Auto has confirmed its presence at this year’s Paris Motor Show in October. It will show the European version of its electric Li i6 SUV, and detail its further plans for the brand. There seems to be no end to the number of Chinese manufacturers wanting to expand to Europe. Next in […]

Why are Belgians ditching caravans for campervans?

September 16, 2026

Belgian camper registrations have held surprisingly steady in 2026. The reason is not only a strive for adventure, but also electric cars struggling to tow caravans over long distances. One leisure vehicle is being traded for another. Belgian campers continue their stride in the sales charts. After the pandemic-driven frenzy of 2020-2022, many assumed the […]

Up to 200 km: Volvo’s new PHEV models get stellar electric range 

September 15, 2026

Volvo calls it a bridge to full electrification. But with a battery big enough to eclipse most rivals and a petrol engine kept firmly in reserve, Volvo’s new PHEVs look more like a remedy for a slower-than-hoped EV transition. Nevertheless, the figures are impressive. Volvo has launched plug-in hybrid versions of its XC60 and XC90 […]

More passengers than ever take Belgium’s coastal tram

September 15, 2026

Last summer, 4,5 million passengers used the coastal tram on the Belgian coast, a slight increase of 0,4% compared to last year. August was a record month for the coastal tram, with 2,33 million passengers – 70,000 more than in July. The Flemish public transportation company De Lijn is pleased, but also surprised. 67-km route […]

Belgian and EU airport expansions undermine climate targets

September 15, 2026

Most of Europe’s biggest airports plan to expand to accommodate more passengers in the coming years. Transport & Environment (T&E), a European NGO focused on sustainable transportation, assessed the expansion plans and traffic forecasts of twenty of Europe’s largest airports in ten countries against a Paris Agreement-compliant 1,7°C carbon budget. And guess what? By 2050, […]

Kia’s electric van offensive moves up a size with the PV7

September 15, 2026

Fleet buyers just got a serious alternative: the Kia PV7 offers more cargo space, longer range and faster charging than current midsize rivals. The longer version taps in on the success of the PV5, which has rapidly become Europe’s best-selling small electric van. Kia has unveiled the PV7 at IAA Transportation in Hannover. The XL […]

From Volvo owner to Volvo Trucks rival: Geely brings Homtruck to Europe

September 14, 2026

Geely is using the IAA Transportation in Hannover to showcase its newest products in the commercial vehicle segment. After the Farizon SV and V7E, the Chinese company premieres its electric Homtruck. Geely is no stranger to those following mobility developments coming from China. It is the holding company which owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Zeekr, […]

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.