Geely joins megawatt charging race as it prepares Benelux launch

March 10, 2026

China’s EV charging race has entered a new phase after Geely demonstrated a new 1.5 MW ultra-fast charger capable of delivering megawatt-level charging to a production Zeekr 001. The technology itself was first announced with the upgraded Zeekr 001 in late 2025, but the latest demonstration highlights the charging infrastructure required to deliver such extreme […]

Will BYD’s megawatt charging make battery swapping obsolete?

March 09, 2026

Chinese EV giant BYD has stirred the electric mobility world with the unveiling of its new ‘flash charging’ technology, delivering up to 1.5 megawatts of power and allowing charging from roughly 10% to 70% in about five minutes, or charging times that approach those of refueling a gasoline car. The announcement has sparked a wave […]

T&E: ‘Ferries in Europe emit more CO2 than 6.6 million cars’

March 06, 2026

Ferries in port cities like Barcelona, Dublin, and Naples are responsible for more toxic air pollution (sulphur oxide or SOx) than all the cars in those cities, a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows. Dublin is currently the most polluted port city in Europe for ferry air pollution, followed by Las Palmas and […]

€2.50 diesel on Italian highways puts Europe on alert for fuel price surge

March 05, 2026

A spike in global oil markets is pushing diesel prices higher across Europe, with Italian motorway pumps reaching €2.50 per litre and Belgian retailers warning the surge is putting pressure on fuel supply margins. A dramatic illustration of how geopolitical shocks are quickly reaching European drivers and transport companies. Consumer group Codacons reported that diesel […]

Flanders’ wood smoke paradox: rising emissions, falling reports

March 02, 2026

Emissions from wood combustion in Flanders have risen sharply – by more than 44% in 2022 (and even 140% compared with 2019). Yet, the Flemish government reports to Europe that the figures are falling by 16%. Due to inaccurate reporting and a flawed wood-burning stove policy, the health risks are underestimated. Sales of wood and pellet […]

Engie offers free electricity during ‘Happy Hours’ in Belgium

February 26, 2026

Electricity provider Engie offers free electricity during ‘happy hours’ when there is an oversupply of renewable energy. The offer applies to all Engie electricity customers, regardless of their contract. They only have to have a digital meter. Customers can register starting today by activating the Happy Hours service, and the offer is valid until June 1st. The […]

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 […]

T&E: ‘EU fleets law could boost EV sales’

February 25, 2026

According to new T&E research, a new EU law to electrify the vehicle fleets of large companies could deliver 57% of the electric vehicle (EV) sales that carmakers need in 2030. While carmakers claim there is insufficient EV demand to meet their 2030 EU CO2 targets, T&E’s analysis shows that an ambitious company cars law […]

Opel teases Corsa GSE: electric hot hatch coming in 2026

February 25, 2026

Opel has decided to bless the current Corsa, which is nearing the end of its lifespan, with a flagship GSE version. The electric hot hatch is coming later in 2026 and will likely share its internals with its French and Italian siblings, the Peugeot E-208 GTi and the Lancia Ypsilon HF. Back in 2022, Opel […]

Hydrogen sales rebound in Asia but FCEV passenger cars dream fades

February 24, 2026

It has become fashionable in European automotive circles to speak of hydrogen in the past tense. The mood darkened further last week as Cummins confirmed it is halting electrolyser production at its Belgian plant, cutting 100 jobs. Coming after Stellantis paused its light-fuel-cell commercial vehicle plans, it feels like another nail in a very expensive […]

Audi will have a production version of the Concept C

February 19, 2026

When it presented its new coupé concept last year, Audi said it planned to bring the production version of the Concept C to the electric sports car platform of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. However, after several delays and a change of CEO, these models remain uncertain at Zuffenhausen. Now, Audi clarifies: its own model […]

Cummins axes Belgian hydrogen electrolyzer unit, 100 jobs lost

February 18, 2026

The Cummins factory in Oevel (Westerlo, Belgium), formerly known as Hydrogenics, is stopping production of hydrogen technology after a quarter of a century. According to the unions, one hundred jobs will disappear. The publicly traded Cummins has halted global sales of electrolyzers; only current contracts are still being completed, leaving the company with losses of just […]

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 […]

Stellantis reintroduces diesel, choosing the path of least resistance?

February 16, 2026

Stellantis has announced the return of diesel to several European compact cars, including the Peugeot 308, Opel Astra, and DS 4. The technology will also remain central to the group’s light commercial vehicle portfolio. The move is presented as a matter of market realism. After years of forceful electrification messaging, the signal is unmistakable: consumer […]

Trump strips EPA regulating powers, continues to question climate science

February 13, 2026

The climate is no longer the US government’s problem. On Thursday, the Trump administration rolled back the mechanism allowing the government to regulate planet-heating pollution. Trump says he believes climate change is a hoax, and has withdrawn the United States from global efforts to combat it. President Trump officially disavowed scientific research that labels CO2 […]

ChargePoint warns: from range anxiety to charger anxiety?

February 12, 2026

A new dataset from the US-based charging network operator ChargePoint suggests that the next constraint in the electric mobility transition may not be vehicle supply but rather charging capacity. As EV adoption accelerates, charging demand is beginning to outpace infrastructure expansion. Utilisation rates are rising faster than new chargers are being deployed. ChargePoint, one of […]

Tihange demolition suspended as government eyes nuclear comeback

February 11, 2026

The demolition permit for two cooling towers at the nuclear power plant in Tihange, near Huy in the province of Liège, has been suspended following an appeal. Operator Engie wants to proceed quickly with the dismantling. Still, the federal government and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR) are reluctant to allow it because they want to […]

T&E: ‘Backtracking on 2035 puts Europe at risk’

February 10, 2026

In an extensive reaction to the EU Commission’s watering down of the 2035 environmental targets for mobility and transport, the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) urgently warns that Europe risks falling even further behind on EVs compared to global competition. “If the EU automotive industry doesn’t transform fast, it will lose its international competition, with […]

Electra stakes its leadership claim in Belgium’s fast-charging market

February 10, 2026

Belgium’s network of fast chargers for electric cars is expanding rapidly, and one brand is increasingly common on supermarket car parks and along busy roads: Electra. After a year of strong growth in 2025, the European charging operator, which originated in France in 2021, says it has strengthened its position as Belgium’s leading ultra-fast charging […]

Belgian CO2 emissions are rising again after 20 years of decline

February 10, 2026

Belgium’s greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO2, have been falling for over twenty years, but in 2024, they stopped declining and even increased slightly again (about +0.2%) compared with 2023. Although long-term emissions are declining, projections indicate that current plans are not on track to meet EU or national targets for 2030. The rebound is mainly […]

The electric Skoda Epiq will come in three variants

February 10, 2026

Skoda has released the first technical details of its fully electric Epiq, which the brand will unveil in the first half of 2026. The compact electric vehicle will be offered by Skoda in three variants, with power outputs ranging from 85 to 155 kW. The new Skoda Epiq will be available with two versions of […]

Flanders pushes heat pumps with €8,000 subsidy and lower power bills

February 09, 2026

Flemish families who purchase a heat pump can count on a subsidy of up to 8,000 euros. They can also take out a low-interest or, in some cases, interest-free renovation loan to purchase a heat pump. Because electricity is now four times as expensive as gas, the Flemish government will also implement an energy tax […]

BMW starts producing i3 in Munich

February 05, 2026

BMW’s ‘mother plant’ in Munich has now started producing the first pre-series vehicles of the upcoming BMW i3. This marks the beginning of the final preparation phase for the start of series production of the electric sedan in the 3 Series format in the second half of 2026. The new production lines at BMW’s Munich […]

Flanders’ largest heating network will keep almost 4,000 families warm

February 04, 2026

In northern Antwerp, energy provider Fluvius has begun construction of Flanders largest heating network to date. Residual heat from the waste-processing company Indaver will be used from the end of this year to heat about 3,800 social housing units, eight schools, and a municipal workshop in the Luchtbal (Antwerp) and Rozemaai (Ekeren) neighborhoods.  Such a […]

Fastned’s new 6% bond: attractive yield, but a long road to profitability

February 04, 2026

Fast-charging operator Fastned has opened a new chapter in its long-running retail bond programme. The Amsterdam-based company launches a new five-year bond issue, aiming to raise up to €100 million to finance further network expansion and refinance existing debt. The new bonds, issued under Fastned’s existing bond programme, carry a fixed annual interest rate of […]

Renault’s product boss: ‘We’ve got a two-leg approach’

February 04, 2026

Renault could offer its next-generation electric cars with a new ‘super hybrid’ powertrain that uses a small petrol engine to boost range. Renault’s VP for Product Performance, Bruno Vanel, said the change in approach is a recognition that the company “has to remain flexible in the C- and D-segment” because, while it is working towards […]

Self-driving Colruyt vans deliver groceries in Leuven

February 04, 2026

Belgian retailer Colruyt will start a pilot project next month to have self-driving vans deliver groceries in Leuven. The project is an extension of Colruyt’s ‘Collect&Go’ service, which allows customers to order groceries online and pick them up at a Colruyt supermarket at their convenience. Colruyt primarily delivers to homes in and around major cities, […]

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 […]

Big Oil, big plug: why Q8 is teaching us how to drive electric

February 03, 2026

When Q8 Belgium reassures electric car drivers that it is normal to miss the reliability of a combustion-engine car, something has clearly shifted. In a recent Instagram reel, the fuel retailer opens with the line “Missing your petrol car?” before offering practical advice on how to improve real-world EV range and charge more efficiently. At […]

More money, higher ambitions, still not enough for Belgium’s climate shift

February 02, 2026

Earlier this week, the European Commission, in its assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), acknowledged that Belgium has raised its ambitions, but that the country still needs to make additional efforts in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Belgium’s environmental protection spending rose to €18 billion in 2023, equivalent to 3% of […]

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 […]

Energy Minister Bihet under fire for nuclear standstill in Belgium

January 30, 2026

Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR) has defended himself in parliament against criticism that he is not taking enough action on nuclear issues. Nothing concrete came of it, but according to Bihet, discussions are underway with operators and owners of nuclear power plants, and there are investors “interested in extending the maximum number of reactors, […]

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 […]

BMW updates iX1, iX2 and (already) iX3

January 29, 2026

The German automaker has announced several model updates for spring 2026. Among other changes, the two all-electric models, iX1 and iX2, will receive new SiC inverters that reduce consumption and enable longer ranges. Additionally, the new iX3 now offers a 22-kW charger. Shortly after the BMW brand Mini revealed minor efficiency-enhancing updates for its electric […]

On paper Belgian climate plan delivers, but on the road it fails

January 28, 2026

Belgium has raised its ambitions in its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), but still needs to make further efforts in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the coming years. But for the time being, the country will not be presented with a multi-million dollar bill. If an EU member state fails to reduce its CO2 […]

‘Dunkelflaute’ over Belgium causes electricity prices to spike

January 28, 2026

A small ‘dunkelflaute’ hanging over Belgium is causing electricity prices to spike. The term ‘dunkelflaute’, a combination of the German words ‘dunkel’, meaning ‘dark’, and ‘Flaute’, meaning ‘lull’, describes the simultaneous occurrence of darkness and a lull in wind activity. Dunkelflautes occur several times every winter in Northwestern Europe. They usually last 1–3 days. The phenomenon […]

Mini Countryman gets more efficient, resulting in a 501 km range

January 28, 2026

Since 2024, Mini has offered an electric SUV with the Countryman Electric. Now, the ‘British’ BMW Group brand has slightly modernized the drivetrain technology, enabling the Countryman E to exceed 500 kilometers of WLTP range for the first time. Mini first unveiled the fully electric Countryman at the IAA in Munich in 2023, and since […]

Powering Europe together: North Sea Pact revives offshore wind ambitions

January 27, 2026

Last Monday, the countries bordering the North Sea, together with grid operators and the offshore wind industry, signed a new investment pact to relaunch and expand offshore wind power generation in the North Sea after several years of failed auctions and investor pullback. The pact agreed to during a summit in Hamburg includes connecting offshore wind […]

Ecoscore makes room for ‘Life Cycle Impact’ in Belgium

January 19, 2026

The three regions in Belgium launch ‘Life Cycle Impact’, an all-in environmental score for cars, compared mutually based on their total lifecycle impacts. It’s an enlargement of the well-known Ecoscore and resumes in one figure the impact of production, fuel production, and use over 200,000 km. The score, developed by the research center Vito and […]

13,600 km across Africa in a fully electric bus: Uganda’s electric moment

January 16, 2026

After 39 days and more than 13,600 kilometers on the open road across Africa, the Grand Electric Trans-African Expedition concluded on Sunday as the team returned to Kampala aboard a fully electric bus designed and built in Uganda, Kiira Motors Corporation’s flagship 13-meter Kayoola EV Model 2025. The journey, which began in November 2025 and […]

Fastned’s positive Q4 results highlight a shift in Europe’s EV charging war

January 16, 2026

Fastned’s latest quarterly update underlines how quickly Europe’s fast-charging market is maturing. The Dutch operator closed Q4 2025 with €38.1 million in charging-related revenue, up 44 percent year on year, delivering nearly 55 GWh across more than two million sessions at 406 stations across nine countries. On the surface, the figures signal continued momentum in […]

BMW’s M Division goes fully electric

January 15, 2026

To be an electric leader over the long term, BMW also needs to electrify the emotional core of its brand: high-performance sports sedans like the M3 and M5. And it needs to do that with products that enthusiasts will accept as authentic. “BMW M’s high-performance vehicles will soon deliver the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ experience in […]

Stellantis ends Jeep and Chrysler PHEV production in North America

January 14, 2026

Stellantis has officially discontinued all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) sold under its Jeep and Chrysler brands in North America. The CEO of Stellantis’ biggest competitor, GM, is somewhat surprised by this decision. Although GM has also slowed EV production, Mary Barra remains convinced that EVs will be the endgame. It will only take longer. […]

Former Belgian Energy Minister swaps politics for wind turbine lobby

January 12, 2026

Former Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Green) is leaving politics and becoming CEO of the green interest group WindEurope. Van der Straeten resigns from parliament and will start working at WindEurope on February 2nd. “Wind energy is crucial for the continent’s electricity supply, economic competitiveness, and climate goals. It provides Europe with affordable electricity, strengthens […]

Engie forced to spit out €3bn extra for Belgian nuclear exit

January 12, 2026

Engie must set aside an additional 3 billion euros to finance the dismantling of nuclear power plants. This is according to a report by Niras, the national institution for radioactive waste, as reported by De Tijd and L’Echo. The French energy company, which operates the seven nuclear power plants in Belgium, has agreed with the […]

Beijing’s air quality better than ever thanks to NEVs

January 10, 2026

Air quality in Beijing is better than ever. In 2025, the city reported more than 340 days of ‘good’ or ‘moderate’ air quality, attributable to strict emission regulations and the growing number of electric vehicles in Chinese cities. Heavy pollution days dropped from dozens per year in the early 2010s to almost zero. Over the […]

Engie to demolish Tihange 1; Belgian government wants it reopened

January 08, 2026

The French energy company Engie, which also operates in Belgium, has obtained a permit to demolish the cooling tower of the Tihange 1 nuclear power plant. It wants to start dismantling it in September. This undermines the plans of Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR), who wants to restart the plant and negotiate an additional 10-year […]

Fastned expands to over 400 locations across Europe

January 07, 2026

The Dutch charging provider Fastned expanded its European fast-charging network to over 400 locations by the end of 2025. A total of 406 Fastned locations are now present in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. In its announcement of this milestone, Fastned reflected on its journey to date: […]

Norwegian car sales are now (as good as) fully electric

January 06, 2026

Norway closed out 2025 with a milestone: nearly 100% of electric car registrations. The country has officially reached its long-standing target: a new car fleet free of tailpipe emissions. Simultaneously, the share of electric cars on Norwegian roads now overshadows that of diesel cars. Norway’s new-car market shattered records in 2025, both in total sales […]

First new Belgian nuclear power plants will not be operational until 2039

January 05, 2026

According to the most optimistic scenario, the construction of new large nuclear power plants in Belgium will not be completed until the end of 2039 at the earliest. That is what a new study by the engineering firm Tractebel, part of the energy group Engie (which conducted a survey commissioned by the high-voltage grid operator […]

Dutch drivers flock to Belgium to fill up, paying 40 cents less per liter

January 05, 2026

At the start of this year, fuel prices in Belgium are at their lowest level since the peak prices of 2022. The official maximum prices for fuel have become a lot cheaper than they were a year ago. The fact that prices at the pump in Belgium are so low has not gone unnoticed by […]

When will the €25,000 ID. Polo reach the streets?

December 30, 2025

The ID. Polo is arriving in 2026 as the first of a new family of entry-level Volkswagen EVs. It was initially expected to start at €25,000, but that may take longer. The German automaker may still make electric mobility more affordable, but it likely won’t be as soon as expected. “With an entry-level price starting […]

The need for speed: EV motors breaking the 30,000 rpm barrier

December 29, 2025

2025 has seen a slew of announcements for high-speed electric vehicle (EV) motors, with several exceeding 30,000 rpm. What is behind this sudden need for speed? A report from IDTechEx discusses the benefits, challenges, and solutions for taking this approach. In an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, a higher maximum rpm has been associated with […]

Green energy matches nuclear as Belgium hits all-time low

December 29, 2025

The results of electricity provider Elia’s annual report aren’t yet complete. Still, it’s already clear that the production of renewables – wind and mainly solar energy in Belgium – will have reached a record high in 2025 – 22.4 TWh. This means that the share of renewable energy in the Belgian electricity mix is ​​now as […]

Is the VW ID. Buzz leaving the US?

December 29, 2025

Volkswagen has confirmed that there will be no 2026 model year for the ID. Buzz in the US. However, US plans for the MEB van have not been completely canceled; a revised model is expected to follow in 2027. Back in July, Volkswagen temporarily suspended deliveries of the ID. Buzz to the US. At the […]

Fastned surpasses milestone of 50 fast-charging stations in Belgium

December 19, 2025

Fastned, the European pioneer in fast charging, opened two new charging stations this month – one in Genk (carpool parking E314) and one in Veurne (near E40) – thereby surpassing the milestone of 50 fast-charging stations in Belgium. This year, the company opened 16 new charging stations in Belgium. The two recently opened stations are both equipped […]

BMW Belux CEO prudently positive about 2026

December 19, 2025

For the 5th year in a row, BMW is the undisputed market leader in Belgium, a unique feat worldwide. BMW Belux CEO Alexander Wehr was, of course, thrilled with this result at the traditional yearly overview. When it comes to the future of BMW and Mini in our countries (and abroad), BMW’s top manager remains […]

Flanders’ largest public fast-charging hub opens at Malinas Mechelen

December 19, 2025

On Thursday morning, charging infrastructure company Allego and real estate investor Mitiska REIM have opened a public fast-charging park for 24 cars in the parking lot of the Malinas shopping center in Mechelen.  According to both partners, it is now the largest publicly accessible fast-charging hub in Flanders. The largest public fast-charging station so far […]

Wallonia allows charging stations at all motorway parking areas

December 18, 2025

Wallonia lags behind Flanders and neighboring countries in charging station density. To address this situation, the Walloon government has made two decisions. Firstly, (ultra) fast chargers are now also allowed at motorway parking areas without petrol stations. And secondly, to accelerate the rollout of charging stations, “Électromobilité”, or Electromobility, is being set up, a committee […]

Ford pivots back to ICE vehicles in the U.S.

December 17, 2025

Ford Motor Co. is drastically scaling back its electric vehicle plans and refocusing its U.S. manufacturing footprint on hybrid and gasoline vehicles to reduce losses from an EV market that never developed the way it envisioned. Ford has announced a comprehensive realignment of its electric vehicle business—primarily focused on North America. Production of the F-150 […]