Alibaba’s second EV model offers its passengers ‘weightlessness’

December 22, 2022

IM Motors, the joint venture between e-commerce giant Alibaba and car manufacturer SAIC, has released a second model: the LS7, a large electric SUV. The Zhiji LS7, as it’s called in China, offers a high-tech driving experience and even a ‘Zero Gravity Buoyancy Mode’ thanks to its flat-folding pasThis content has been archived. Log in […]

Survey: ‘One-third of Belgians not in favor of electrified car’

December 22, 2022

Belgium’s biggest bank, BNP Paribas Fortis, wants to be far more active in the mobility sector. So it launched a survey among 2 000 Belgians about their mobility preferences. 35% of the respondents declared not to be ready for electrification (fully electric or hybrid), which is a 6% increase comThis content has been archived. Log […]

Toyota produces 5th generation hybrid powertrain in Europe

December 22, 2022

Toyota has announced a €77 million investment for producing fifth-generation hybrid powertrains at its Poland and UK plants. The powertrain will be built in the UK and Turkey and used for the first time in the new Corolla. Seven production lines will be upgraded at Toyota Motor Manufacturing PoThis content has been archived. Log in […]

Lucid opens its first EU retail and delivery center in Hilversum (update)

December 22, 2022

American premium electric carmaker Lucid opened its first retail and delivery center in Europe in Hilversum near Amsterdam, the Netherlands, last week. Now Lucid says delivery of the limited series of the Lucid Air Dream Edition to selected clients in Germany and the Netherlands has started. The This content has been archived. Log in or […]

Nissan Sunderland’s 250.000th Leaf to power Christmas lights

December 21, 2022

Nissan Sunderland has produced its 250 000th Leaf, which has been in production in the British plant since the first generation in 2011. To celebrate, the Leaf is used to power the plant’s Christmas display using ‘Vehicle-to-X-Mas Tree’ (V2X) technology. The Nissan Leaf has been in production forThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Porsche fills up 911 with first synthetic fuel from Chilean plant

December 21, 2022

The Chilean eFuels pilot plant from Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF), in which Porsche has invested over $100 million, has produced its first batch of renewable combustion engine fuel. It was ceremoniously used to fill up a Porsche 911 as a clear sign the German carmaker wants to keep the classic coThis content has been archived. […]

Stellantis starts electric drive production in Trémery and partners with Octopus Energy

December 21, 2022

Stellantis has started production of electric drive systems at its former largest diesel engine plant in Trémery as part of the Emotors joint venture with Nidec. Production capacity is expected to reach more than 1 million units annually by 2024. The first electric motor will be called M3 and haThis content has been archived. Log […]

Audi presents ‘360 factory’, producing EVs in all plants as of 2029

December 21, 2022

Audi has presented its plan for future production strategy under the slogan ‘360factory’. By the end of this decade, the brand will manufacture electrically powered models at all production sites worldwide. By 2033, ICE models will be phased out completely, and production costs will have to be hThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Bravoauto: new second-hand car business by Belgian Toyota importer

December 20, 2022

Inchcape, the British car distributor that also imports Toyota, Lexus, and BYD in Belgium, has opened a second-hand car business to try to take a piece of the growing used car market. The company is called Bravoauto and has already opened a delivery center in Machelen, near Brussels Airport. The This content has been archived. […]

Hyundai’s new Kona fully developed around EV model

December 20, 2022

Arriving in mid-2023, Hyundai has released the first details on the new Kona, which must make its mark in the crowded C-segment for crossovers. But thanks to its unique lighting signature, the model won’t fail to draw attention. Next to the electric version, it will also be available with electrifThis content has been archived. Log […]

Dutch Ebusco reveals lightweight electric articulated bus with 700 km range

December 20, 2022

The Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has revealed a new model for its zero-emissions line-up: the Ebusco 3.0 18-meter, an articulated bus made from composite materials. That keeps the weight very low and gives the bus an electric range of up to 700 km, with a passenger capacity of 150 people. This content has been […]

Car importer D’Ieteren takes over Jennes dealerships (update)

December 20, 2022

Via its daughter Sopadis, D’ieteren Auto wants to take over the dealerships owned by the Jennes family in the eastern part of the Vlaams Brabant province. In a press release, D’Ieteren states that the negotiations for the take-over are in an advanced stage. Just yesterday, the Belgian competition auThis content has been archived. Log in […]

Volkswagen says it hits EU CO2 target “on its own”

December 20, 2022

Volkswagen Group has told the newspaper Financial Times that it has cut loose its external partners within its CO2 pool. After meeting the CO2 targets last year, with the help of four Chinese carmakers, the output of electric vehicles at the German car giant is now vast enough to proceed on the EV sThis content […]

BMW Belux CEO: ‘We want to double our BEV sales in 2023’

December 20, 2022

During a press conference previewing the Brussels Motor Show of next January, BMW Belux CEO Alexander Wehr declared that he foresees doubling the sales of pure electric BMWs in 2023. This year, already 12% were BEVs, but some 40% were plug-in hybrids, BMW Belux totaling more than half of its BMW salThis content has been […]

Mobile inductive charging on trial in Germany

December 19, 2022

For the first time in Germany, dynamic wireless charging technology for electric vehicles is being tested in practice. The main actor of the pilot project in Balingen is a shuttle bus for the Garden Show 2023, which is to charge its vehicle battery while driving. The Israeli company ElectReon, whThis content has been archived. Log […]

Mercedes works with Norwegians to reduce aluminum CO2 footprint

December 19, 2022

Mercedes-Benz has signed a letter of intent with Norwegian aluminum producer Hydro to significantly reduce the CO₂ footprint of aluminum in the automotive supply chain. A fully electric Mercedes luxury car can contain up to 700 kg of aluminum. From 2023, this metal delivered by the Norwegians fThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Will Mazda unveil a world premiere at Brussels Motor Show?

December 16, 2022

From what Newmobility.news heard, Mazda is likely preparing the unveiling of a world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show next month, which could be the announced range extender version of the MX-30. However, the carmaker declined to confirm the news at its annual press conference. Therefore, the waThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Toyota readies battery version of Hilux pick-up

December 16, 2022

The Japanese carmaker is adding up zero-emission versions of its pick-up Hilux. Joining the hydrogen prototype is a concept built around battery power. The Hilux Revo BEV Concept was unveiled at an anniversary event in Thailand, celebrating Toyota’s 60-year presence in the country. It’s a clear nThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe […]

Tesla Model S & X Plaid finally arrive in Zeebrugge

December 15, 2022

One and a half years after they launched in the US, the Tesla Model S and X Plaid have finally arrived in Europe through the Belgian Port of Zeebrugge, with the first cars being handed over to German customers. It seems that Tesla is trying to deliver as much as possible before the end of […]

Opel Mokka Electric gets new name and more efficient drivetrain

December 15, 2022

The Opel Mokka-e is the next Stellantis model to receive its more efficient motor and battery combination. We also can’t call it the Mokka-e anymore because Opel has changed its naming scheme and is now giving its EV models the ‘Electric’ suffix. Like the Peugeot e-208, e-308, and the Opel Astra This content has been […]

Audi Brussels kicks off Q8 e-tron production and prepares for Q4 e-tron

December 15, 2022

Audi’s Belgian factory, which pioneered the EV production of the brand with the e-tron, of which 160 000 were shipped worldwide, delivered on Wednesday the first of its successor, now baptized Q8 e-tron. In the meantime, the Brussels factory is preparing to start building the smaller Q4 e-tron toThis content has been archived. Log in […]

EU makes non-European companies pay for CO2 emissions

December 14, 2022

The EU members and the European Parliament have agreed on introducing a CO2 tax for non-European companies. The new climate measure applies to the aluminum, steel, and fertilizer sectors and the hydrogen industry. The so-called Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) makes companies outside theThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level […]

Green Impact study confirms potential for EV battery recycling

December 14, 2022

A recent Green Impact study, ordered by Mobility Minister George Gilkinet (Ecolo), confirms the potential of recycling and reusing batteries. The study results were presented on Tuesday at Umicore’s site in Hoboken (Antwerp). Batteries contain rare materials like lithium, nickel, and black lead, This content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level […]

EU allocates €150 million to Belgian CO2 capturing projects

December 13, 2022

The European Commission will allocate more than 150 million euros for two Belgian projects intended to capture CO2 in the ports of Antwerp and Ghent. That is what the companies involved in the project communicated on Monday in a common press release. Antwerp@C Export Hub is a joint project of AirThis content has been archived. […]

Rivian calls off Mercedes deal to focus on delivering existing products

December 13, 2022

Rivian has pressed pause on the partnership with Mercedes, which sought to jointly build a factory in Eastern Europe to build two large electric vans. Instead, Rivian wants to focus its resources on delivering its consumer products, the R1T and R1S electric vehicles, and its commercial business, This content has been archived. Log in or […]

Volvo Trucks adds heavy box truck options to electric range

December 13, 2022

Volvo Trucks has expanded its electric range to include ‘rigid’ versions of the FH, FM, and FMX Electric: long-wheelbase versions for heavy box trucks, construction vehicles, or heavy distribution vehicles. These new trucks are primarily meant for urban use, but several battery and cab options are aThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe […]

German Sion solar car a species threatened with extinction?

December 09, 2022

“We failed,” say Jona Christians and his friend Laurin Hahn, the co-founders and CEOs of German Sono Motors, who laid the foundation for the company’s first vehicle, the Sion solar car, in a garage in Munich in 2016. In a remarkable campaign, they call up to at least 3 500 of the 21 000 holderThis […]

Chinese BYD Atto 3 is ‘VAB Electric car of 2023’

December 09, 2022

The compact Atto 3 full-electric SUV, just launched on the European markets by China’s biggest EV maker, BYD, was elected by both the professional and the family jury ‘Family Car of the Year’ in the yearly contest by the Flemish mobility organization VAB. With a total of 63 points, the Atto 3 preThis content has […]

Zero-emission monster: the Scottish Munro Mk1

December 09, 2022

After the monster of Loch Ness, Scotland now has a beast on wheels that ventures off the beaten track without harming its forest or rocky environment with toxic emissions. The MK1 from Munro is an all-electric all-terrain vehicle unveiled in its final guise. Munro has been teasing its first 4×4 forThis content has been archived. […]

700 km range and faster charging for VW’s MEB+ platform

December 09, 2022

Volkswagen has released more details on the next generation of the MEB architecture, adding a plus to its name. The company confirms earlier claims that a range of up to 700 kilometers will be possible while DC charging rises to a peak of 200 kW, further shortening the waiting times. The VolkswagenThis content has been […]

Zipse to hand torch to Luca de Meo as ACEA’s president

December 09, 2022

As of 1 January 2023, the current CEO of Renault, Luca de Meo, will take over the presidency of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) from BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, who has held the position for the last two years. The Board of Directors announced that on Friday. Once renewThis content has been archived. Log […]

BNEF: ‘Battery price rises for the first time in a decade’

December 09, 2022

High inflation and the rising cost of raw materials and components are reversing the trend of decreasing prices for battery packs in EVs. According to data from BloombergNEF, the average price has risen by 7% in a year-to-year comparison. That’s the first time in ten years. Europe copes with the hThis content has been archived. […]

Pieter Nota: ‘BMW customer to get same offer and prices everywhere’

December 09, 2022

From January 2024, BMW will roll out the much-debated direct sales ‘agency model’ starting for its MINI customers, followed by the BMW brand itself in 2026. Customers will buy their new car online and have a dealer of their choice deliver it, the latter getting a ‘fair’ share of the profit. No moThis content has […]

ArcelorMittal launches Steelanol bio-fuel project in Ghent

December 09, 2022

In the port of Ghent, steelmaker ArcelorMittal has inaugurated its ‘Steelanol’ project, which converts gas from its blast furnaces into bioethanol. The project represents an investment of 200 million euros. It is part of the company’s plans to become carbon neutral by 2050. “Our customers are looThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe […]

Chinese BYD intends to build one or two European car factories

December 08, 2022

The Chinese car and bus manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) has expressed an interest in building its own car factories in Europe. This move would support its European expansion and overcome issues with getting the cars shipped to our shores in the long term. For now, China’s biggest EV maker will This content has been […]

Volvo confirms China-built EX30 for 2023

December 08, 2022

Volvo CEO Jim Rowan has confirmed that its new ‘baby EX90’ will be called the EX30 and is set to launch in 2023. To keep costs low, it will be built in China on Geely’s SEA platform, which is also used for the recently-launched Smart models. At the launch of the EX90, the new electric […]

Toyota develops hydrogen combustion engine in Corolla Cross

December 07, 2022

Advocating the use of hydrogen in combustion engines to decarbonize racing, the Japanese car giant is now also trialing the technology in the family-oriented Corolla Cross. The concept is currently undergoing winter and digital testing in Japan. The H2 concept version of the Corolla Cross uses the This content has been archived. Log in or […]

Mercedes-Benz to produce 1 million e-drives at Untertürkheim plant

December 07, 2022

Mercedes-Benz continues to realign its global production network toward electric vehicles. That is why the company and employee representatives have agreed on the significant expansion of the production capacities for electric drive units. According to the agreement, the previously planned capacitieThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level that has access […]

VinFast opens its first European stores, but no cars yet

December 07, 2022

As promised, the Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast has opened its first two stores in Cologne (Germany) and Paris (France). However, the cars have been delayed to 2023 due to chip shortages affecting the launch. VinFast has officially kicked off its European endeavor with the first stores in CoThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Air France-KLM to buy 800.000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel

December 06, 2022

Air France-KLM is to buy 800 000 tons of non-fossil Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) over ten years from TotalEnergies to meet its environmental objectives. The two companies signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding for this, starting in 2023. The fuel will be produced by TotalEnergies in itThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

Toyota previews new C-HR and updates on Lexus all-electric sports car

December 05, 2022

Toyota showcased a design study for its new CH-R, making the current looks even bolder. Luxury brand Lexus has released more details on its rival for the Tesla Roadster, the Electric Sport, which will be mated to a manual gearbox despite its battery-powered propulsion. Together with the EuropeanThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe […]

Stellantis partners with Qinomic to retrofit vans with EV power

December 05, 2022

Stellantis has signed an agreement with French retrofitting specialist Qinomic to investigate the business case of retrofitting EV powertrains to light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to ensure their continued usability within low-emission zones. This could also be interesting for Belgium. No big planThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level that has […]

Sales up again in November: BMW leads in cars and motorcyles

December 05, 2022

Car sales in Belgium are getting back on their feet steadily, as registrations are up again in November by +23,4%, according to the latest figures of Febiac, the Belgian car importers federation. And among them, BMW can set up a party, as it leads the rankings both in car sales and motorbike sales, This content […]

Umicore to supply battery materials to Volkswagen in US

December 02, 2022

Belgian materials specialist Umicore and PowerCo, the battery company of German automotive giant Volkswagen, are to expand their partnership in battery materials. To this end, they are exploring a long-term strategic agreement to supply PowerCo’s future giant electric vehicle plant in North America.This content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level that […]

Belgian VW importer D’Ieteren opens Maserati dealership in Antwerp

December 02, 2022

D’Ieteren keeps expanding its activities in unchartered territory. After the egg-shaped city car, Mircolino, and the newly adopted multi-brand approach for its used car subsidiary, MyWay, the importer of the VW Group brands, is set to open a dealership for Maserati in Antwerp. “With great pleasThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to […]

Renault and Airbus to collaborate on solid-state batteries

December 01, 2022

In an unusual partnership, French carmaker Renault and airplane builder Airbus have announced a partnership to develop innovative battery technology. Apart from reducing the weight of the battery packs and looking at solutions for energy management, both companies will cooperate on solid-state develThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to a level that […]

BMW to share its global trend research publicly

December 01, 2022

The BMW Group has decided to share its technological expertise with the world. BMW opts for an open-access approach and hopes to start a dialogue with potential partners. The initiative shows an approach that has never been implemented in the automotive industry before. Global trend research alloThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe […]

Swedish Einride launches in Benelux with e-trucks for AB InBev

December 01, 2022

With a picture of its driverless sci-fi-like electric truck or T-Pod, ‘shot or conveniently Photoshoped (?)’, in front of the iconic Antwerp Port Authority building, the Swedish Einride has announced its official launch in the Benelux. Einride will deliver six fully electric trucks to Belgian beeThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to […]

Lightyear kicks off production of its solar car in Finland

November 30, 2022

Dutch solar car scale-up Lightyear has kicked off production of its Lightyear 0 sedan in Uusikaupunki, southwest of Finland, at contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive. Valmet plans to produce one vehicle per week, for the time being, pushing up production in 2023. The goal is to produce only 946This content has been archived. Log in or […]

Tesla Semi achieves 500-mile test drive days before delivery

November 30, 2022

With the first delivery of the Semi scheduled for this Thursday, December 1st, Elon Musk has announced on Twitter that Tesla’s long-haul truck has achieved a 500-mile (800 km) drive with a loaded trailer earlier this week. That would match the initial promises made by Musk back in 2017. As ever, This content has been […]

Opel Astra Electric unwrapped: orders open spring 2023

November 30, 2022

Opel has unveiled the Electric version of the latest Astra, with similar specs to its closely related cousin, the Peugeot e-308. The Opel Astra Electric is available as a hatchback and an estate version, with WLTP ranges of up to 416 km. After launching the PHEV versions of the Astra first, incluThis content has been […]

ALD replenishes €1,8 billion for final acquisition of LeasePlan

November 30, 2022

After getting the final approval of the EU Commission last week, leasing giant ALD Automotive is replenishing its capital to finalize the take-over of this other European leasing giant, Dutch LeasePlan, at a discounted price of €4,5 billion instead of the initial €4,9 billion proposed. CombinThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to […]

Continental Green Caliper: EV-specific brakes improve efficiency

November 29, 2022

Automotive supplier Continental has introduced its ‘Green Caliper’, a brake caliper and disc designed specifically for EVs. It saves up to five kg of unsprung weight per wheel and further improves efficiency by reducing residual brake force after releasing the pedal. The Green Caliper is designedThis content has been archived. Log in or Subscribe to […]

MW Motors overhauls its Luka EV

November 29, 2022

In an update on its Luke EV project, Czech start-up MW Motors says it has extensively overhauled its Luka EV. New on the all-electric retro-styled car is a water-cooled motor, a bigger battery pack, better brakes, and a faster charger. And to provide more space and comfort, the interior has been redThis content has been […]

CBS: Dutch car dealers’ turnover rises by almost 25%

November 29, 2022

Car dealers in the Netherlands saw their turnover rise by almost a quarter (24,3%) in the third quarter compared to the same period a year earlier. This was mainly due to price increases. Used cars were never so expensive before, reports the Dutch governmental statistics institute (CBS). A year aThis content has been archived. Log […]

Liux Animal: Spanish EV from recycled and plant-based materials

November 29, 2022

Yes, that’s quite a few buzzwords in one title. Spanish start-up Liux wants to make the Animal, an electric crossover SUV with a range of up to 600 km. More importantly, though, is the goal of producing it out of 90% recycled and plant-based materials, with a simplified assembly that facilitates proThis content has been […]

Stellantis thinks about producing small EVs in India

November 28, 2022

European car manufacturers struggle to produce affordable EVs in Europe and to make it a profitable business. That’s why Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares, during a visit to Chennai (India) declared that his company was unable at the moment to produce affordable EVs in Europe and that he was thinking oThis content has been archived. Log […]

BMW will also produce batteries in Debrecen

November 28, 2022

BMW has announced that it will build assembly lines for the high-voltage batteries next to the new vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The first construction work is already underway, and the production of the battery packs will begin in parallel with vehicle production of the New Class, ‘die Neue KThis content has been archived. Log […]

Mercedes USA offers power upgrade via subscription

November 25, 2022

Mercedes-Benz USA has posted a new product called ‘Acceleration Increase’ on its online shop’s website. The new service costs $1 200 for one year (excluding tax) of the service, which can improve an EQ vehicle’s acceleration by 0,8 to 1,0 seconds. The car manufacturer’s website writes that thThis content has been archived. Log in or […]

100th Brussels Motor Show: less space, more information and animation

November 25, 2022

The anniversary edition of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS), taking place from 14 to January 22nd, 2023, is not to be considered the 100th edition of the ‘old school’ motor show but the first of a new kind. The aim is clear: inform the visitor/customer about the energy transition and its (electric) This content has […]