June 23, 2023
Smart has announced another variant of its Smart #1 electric model. The #1 Pulse is planned to hit German roads still in 2023. This will be the second all-wheel-drive variant next to the Brabus offshoot and top model. Orders can be placed now in the ‘Bundesrepublik’ at prices starting at €46 490. Other European markets […]
June 22, 2023
After a long wait, Opel has finally finished the development of its Astra Electric, which means we got to drive it. Thanks to its new Nidec electric motor, the compact hatchback promises, quite frankly, astonishing efficiency figures. Or is it too good to be true? In the battle between the technically similar e-308 and Astra […]
June 22, 2023
Panasonic and Mazda announced they have agreed to enter into discussions on establishing a medium- to long-term partnership for automotive batteries with round cells. The tentative language suits Mazda’s relatively relaxed approach towards electrification, yet the timeline also fits. Mazda said it would commence “concrete discussions” with a view toward Panasonic Energy supplying the carmaker […]
June 22, 2023
The Volvo FL and FE Electric distribution trucks have received a significant battery upgrade, offering 42% more capacity and increasing the range to 450 km. According to Volvo Trucks, this significantly increases the usability of these electric trucks, making them suitable to “replace our customers’ entire fleet of diesel city trucks”. The FL and FE […]
June 21, 2023
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) calls for a three-year postponement to restrictive rules on EU-UK electric vehicle trade, set to come into force in six months. Otherwise, tariffs could total € 4,3 billion, potentially reducing electric vehicle production by some 480 000 units, according to ACEA. Goods exported under EU free-trade agreements must comply […]
June 21, 2023
The ‘tsunami’ of Chinese EVs is reaching European shores with yet another brand, Human Horizon’s flagships HiPhi X and Z, available now in Norway and Germany. With prices above €100 000 euros, these are not your average budget cars, and they’re bluntly targeting the heart of Europe’s premium car market, armed with luxury and high-tech. […]
June 21, 2023
Car manufacturing group Stellantis, the world’s number four, and Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn have announced the formation of SiliconAuto, an equally owned joint venture for developing and selling advanced semiconductors, particularly for electric vehicles. Like Stellantis, SiliconAuto will be headquartered in the Netherlands and is expected to supply the automotive industry, including Stellantis and Foxconn, […]
June 20, 2023
Ark, a London-based EV start-up, has launched its first electric car, a quadricycle called the Ark Zero, claiming it’s the most affordable EV in the United Kingdom, where it is offered exclusively. With a price tag of £5 995 (€7 012), this microcar is a competitor to Citroen’s Ami (£7 695) on the other side […]
June 20, 2023
Porsche looks likely to produce high-performance battery cells on a much larger scale than previously planned. The German carmaker will no longer do so with its partner Customcells but on its own. The Cellforce Group, the battery joint venture between Porsche and Customcells, is said to have been completely overtaken by Porsche in May. 20 […]
June 20, 2023
After launching the Han, Tang, and Atto 3 in Europe late last year, the Chinese EV leader BYD (Build Your Dreams) is expanding its European portfolio with two more models previously launched in China: the Dolphin hatchback and the Seal sedan. The Dolphin, the first to be deliverable from the fourth quarter of 2023, is […]
June 20, 2023
Turkish electric car brand Togg is reversing its sales plans. Available since March in dedicated European markets, the brand is re-focusing on its domestic market only as the brand needs to sort out certain teething problems. “We should first show sustained success in our own market,” told Togg CEO Gürcan Karakas to the German newspaper […]
June 20, 2023
Dacia allegedly wants to offer the next generation of its most popular small car as an electric model from 2027 or 2028. It could even become a BEV-only model, some British media report. The new-generation Sandero is expected to be based on the CMF-BEV platform, which will also be used by the full-electric Renault 5, […]
June 20, 2023
Citroën will be the first to launch a small, affordable EV costing less than €25 000. The ë-C3 will be available in Spring 2024, earlier than already announced competitors like the VW ID.2 and the Renault 5 Electric. The affordability of an EV in the lower segments is a big concern for car manufacturers. Until […]
June 19, 2023
Chinese carmaker BYD eyes one-tenth of the electric vehicle market in Germany. The ambition was made public by its sales director Lars Pauly, who didn’t commit to timing for the target. BYD’s commercial start in dedicated markets in Europe is very fresh. But the brand obviously aims to make its mark. “We want to have […]
June 19, 2023
After reorganizing its C-segment cars with Mégane Electric, Arkana, and Austral, Renault now takes on the D-segment. It just launched the new Espace, and it is now followed by an ultimate flagship, the Rafale. When they hear the name Rafale, some will think of the French jetfighter with the same name, but Rafale is also […]
June 16, 2023
Chinese premium carmaker NIO is pushing two more models – the EL6 and ET5 Touring – to Europe, at least in those countries where it is already present: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. The EL6 – called ES6 in China – is a slightly smaller SUV than its EL7 sibling at a somewhat […]
June 16, 2023
Mercedes-Benz has showcased its new Vision One-Eleven concept car. The low and sleek design arches back to the C111 prototypes of the 60s and 70s, incorporating it into Stuttgart’s recent ‘One-Bow’ shape specific to EVs. The new concept features a new axial flux motor from subsidiary YASA, supposedly lighter, smaller, and more powerful. Mercedes-Benz is […]
June 15, 2023
Rolls-Royce is considering using hydrogen fuel cell technology over conventional batteries for its future electric cars once this technology is mature enough to be commercialized at scale for the high standards Rolls-Royce is claiming. The new Rolls-Royce Spectre made its European debut at the Concours d’Elegance event at Villa d’Este (Como Lake, Italy) last week. […]
June 14, 2023
Created only two years ago, Software République is staging the world premiere of a collaborative concept at the Viva Technology 2023 exhibition. H1st vision ( for ‘Human First vision’) incorporates functional and innovative technologies that illustrate its human-centered visions of future mobility. Software République is an open innovation ecosystem created by six large companies (Atos, […]
June 14, 2023
Daimler Truck has revealed the series production name of its eActros LongHaul battery-electric long-distance heavy truck. It will enter production in 2024 as the eActros 600, referring to its battery capacity and putting it above the eActros 300/400 electric distribution trucks. Daimler Truck unveiled its long-distance electric hauler’s ‘concept prototype’ in September 2022 at the […]
June 14, 2023
Petrolheads will immediately recognize this Nyobolt EV Concept as the contemporary version of the original Lotus Elise. Unsurprisingly, this little battery-powered roadster was designed by Julian Thomson, the same man who styled the original version. But instead of lap times, the promised charging time of six minutes stands out, or half the waiting time of […]
June 14, 2023
The all-electric Renault 5 will be the first Renault vehicle equipped with a bidirectional charger. The associated V2G service will be available from the launch of the Renault 5 in France and Germany in 2024 and in the UK in 2025. Renault is coordinating the introduction of bidirectional charging through its mobility brand Mobilize. In […]
June 13, 2023
After about 3,5 years, the Audi plant in Forest (Brussels) has built its 200 000th electric vehicle: a Soneira Red Q8 Sportback e-tron, the updated version of the original e-tron, which has been in production since late 2018. Later this year, the plant will also start building the smaller Q4 e-tron to meet global demand. […]
June 12, 2023
From 2025, General Motors will rely on Tesla’s charging port in the USA and Canada – exclusively. GM wants to provide adapters so that all cars equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) can also charge at CCS stations. This makes GM the second major US carmaker to commit to Tesla’s charging standard: Ford […]
June 12, 2023
The Zeekr X is the first model from Geely’s young premium brand to journey to the European market soon. In China, the series production has started. The car will be ready for delivery at the end of this week. Later this year, Zeekr’s smallest will be launched in Europe, starting in Sweden and the Netherlands. […]
June 09, 2023
Spanish scooter and micro-mobility EVs manufacturer Silence has officially rolled the first production models out of the assembly line in Barcelona. Built by Acciona in a state-of-the-art, 60 000 m2 factory, the first batch of Silence S04s are heading to customers. Silence is a newcomer to the game of micro-mobility EVs, or so-called ‘nano cars’. […]
June 08, 2023
Volvo just launched its first entry-level electric car, and the Swedish (but now Chinese-owned) car maker surprises with a price setting a benchmark for customers and competitors. In Belgium, prices for this fully electric EV start from € 38 990. In other markets, the starting price can be as low as € 36 590. In […]
June 07, 2023
The new Renault Espace tries to combine the heritage of its name with today’s codes for a family car. Dead is the hyper-modular minivan: the Espace is now reborn as a long-wheelbase SUV with seven seats standard. That’s not the only transformation, as the Espace is now only offered as a full-hybrid. The name ‘Espace’ […]
June 07, 2023
Specter, a Belgian start-up with a production unit in Wondelgem (East Flanders), designs and builds unique, high-end, lightweight, and connected speed pedelecs. On Tuesday, the company introduced a ‘long-range’ version of its Specter 1 speed pedelec, launched end of 2022. The vehicle has an increased driving range of up to 170 kilometers. It is equipped […]
June 07, 2023
Smart Automobile, Geely’s joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, launched last week its second model, the Smart #3, in China at prices ranging from 209 900 to 289 900 yuan. In euros, that would be between 27 560 and 38.060. That highest price tag is for the Brabus Performance version, of which only 1 999 will be […]
June 06, 2023
Dutch industrial group VDL is going to produce bicycle frames for the Dutch manufacturer of electric bicycles Qwic and the Limburg bicycle manufacturer Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF), among others. The latter is known for its Ridley and Eddy Merckx products. VDL will also produce carbon front forks for a new BCF cyclo-cross bike model. The […]
June 05, 2023
Revealing the three-row version of its ID. Buzz is more than adding extra inches of wheelbase and one more bench in the back. The new LWB version also adds an enhanced infotainment system, a new head-up display, a clever configuration, and more range. First, that length. Overall, the wheelbase stretches to 3 239 mm (up […]
June 05, 2023
Automotive supplier Bosch is taking over the production of the S3 fuel cell stack for the Swedish fuel cell specialist PowerCell. Under the new agreement, Bosch will integrate the S3 into its own production facilities in Germany and deliver finished 100 kW stacks to PowerCell’s plant in Gothenburg. According to PowerCell, the outsourcing of production […]
June 05, 2023
To boost its European expansion plans, Lexus is treading where BMW and Mercedes cancel out: the class of small city cross-overs. With a length of 4.1 metres, the new Japan-built LBX is beyond competition from the German premium brands, as Audi has announced the withdrawal of the Q2, its closest rival. In fact, this is […]
June 02, 2023
Sales of electric cars reached 80.7% last May, recuperating from a minor setback in April. It seems Norwegian buyers aren’t turning their backs to battery-powered cars after less generous incentives were introduced at the beginning of the year. The fiscal change of heart is most noticeable among premium cars, which have become less popular. The […]
June 01, 2023
As from the summer, the Toyota Yaris can be ordered with a second hybrid driveline gaining power and a refined drive. In addition, the upgrade includes new digital features, such as an instrument display and an app-based key. But as for the design, everything remains like before. So, Toyota’s minor overhaul of its city car […]
May 31, 2023
The Italian car manufacturer Fiat, part of the Stellantis Group, has unveiled the name and first image of its new ‘sustainable urban mobility solution’: the quadricycle is called Topolino. “The all-electric Fiat Topolino quadricycle is ready to contribute to expanding urban electric mobility and bring all the optimism of its namesake to an accessible, all-electric […]
May 31, 2023
Israeli start-up specializing in wireless charging, Electreon, has set up a new world record. It drove a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 on electricity for 1.943 km over four days without stopping for a charge, thanks to its proprietary in-road charging strips. Between 21 and 25 May, Israeli start-up Electreon conducted a world-first proof-of-concept test for […]
May 31, 2023
The Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) is the first in Belgium to use a fully-electric ‘mobile urgency group’ (MUG) in the shape of a Mercedes EQV, which has been fully equipped to be as efficient as possible to work with and to save lives. The UZA was the first hospital to use a MUG service, where […]
May 31, 2023
Japanese truck builders Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso have announced a merger and intend to become a publicly listed company. Both brands revealed that the union is on equal footing. Though the new truck maker from Japan will operate globally, its prime focus will be on the Southeast Asian market. As Hino Motors is fully […]
May 31, 2023
More than 40 recycled BMW i3 batteries with a combined capacity of 1 680 kWh are currently powering the world tour of the British rock band Coldplay. Replacing diesel generators, the batteries provide power for sound and video systems, lighting, and special effects during concerts. Last week, four corresponding concerts already took place in Barcelona. […]
May 30, 2023
The Comac C919, China’s first domestically manufactured aircraft, made its maiden commercial flight on Sunday. It should mark a turning point for the Chinese aviation industry, which has long wanted to compete with famous Western aircraft such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. The C from Comac forms an ABC for a reason […]
May 30, 2023
In a short press release, Febiac, the car and two-wheeler importers federation for Belgium and Luxembourg, and the Brussels Motor Show (BMS) organizer, states that its board has decided to cancel the January 2024 edition of the show. “The aim of Febiac is always to deliver a qualitative and representative experience to visitors,” says the […]
May 26, 2023
Volkswagen has given its flagship SUV a minor facelift, which brings it stylistically up-to-date with the newer models of the range. The technical improvements remain quite modest, but the model is still available with two plug-in hybrid drivetrains, including the powerful Touareg R. While the big SUV is no longer as popular as it once […]
May 25, 2023
BMW has unveiled the all-new G60 generation of the 5 Series, which gets a radical new look and, for the first time, a fully-electric version in the shape of the i5. Gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid versions are still on the table, however. While its main rival, the Mercedes E-Class, went for a traditional look […]
May 25, 2023
Alpine and Lotus will not be co-developing an all-electric sportscar. The sports car brands have axed their collaboration under “mutual agreement” and will go through the development process alone. The project was scheduled to spawn a successor to the Alpine A110 and the new Lotus Type 135. Developing electric cars is costly, particularly when the […]
May 24, 2023
Caterham has unveiled an electric version of the Seven, which shows the direction the neo-classic model might take in an electrified future. It boasts quick charging speeds, good on-track performance, and barely any weight penalty compared to its gas-powered counterparts. But don’t count on being able to order one just yet. With small-scale sports car […]
May 24, 2023
The Skoda Enyaq is the next EV on VW’s MEB platform to receive the new-gen APP550 electric motor, which delivers more power while consuming less. Its battery pack is also slightly bigger, but until further notice, Skoda offers it exclusively on the new top-spec Laurin & Klement version That’ the Enyaq in its most luxurious […]
May 24, 2023
American EV manufacturer Lucid has taken another step in exporting variants of its electric car to Europe by announcing prices for the Air Pure, the basic Air model, becoming available in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Norway. In Germany, the Lucid Air Pure AWD will retail for €109 000, and the Lucid Air Touring for […]
May 23, 2023
Cowboy, the Belgian manufacturer of city e-bikes, drops its online-only strategy. By the end of the year, the company wants a retail network of at least 300 independent bike shops in 60 Belgian and foreign cities. In Belgium, contracts will be closed with “some ten retail partners”. Names will follow later when their personnel has […]
May 23, 2023
Chinese car giant Geely is increasing its interest in iconic British sports car brands. The owner of Lotus has raised its share in Aston Martin to 17 percent, a little more than a half year after it stepped in, buying 7,6 percent in September last year. Geely is now the third-biggest shareholder of Aston Martin. […]
May 22, 2023
In January, Zeekr, part of the Geely Group, has given its shooting brake 001 an update for 2023. Now it starts delivering the single-motor WE version with a 140-kWh battery pack as an option for around €13 000 extra. This new Qilin battery from CATL, promises a range of over 1 000 km, according to […]
May 19, 2023
Croatian brand Rimac has set an impressive 23 speed and performance world records in one day with its electric hypercar Nevera. The 1 914-hp machine now holds the infamous 0-400-0 kph speed and braking record, which it did in only 29,93 seconds. When the Croatian brand Rimac created the Nevera, it set out to build […]
May 19, 2023
Renault has been a partner of the French Roland-Garros tennis Open since 2022, bringing a specially kitted-out R5 concept in a satin-white finish at this year’s tournament. Furthermore, Renault will provide 185 hybrid and electric vehicles as official transport. For the 2023 Roland-Garros tennis Open, French carmaker Renault is embracing its role as a partner. […]
May 19, 2023
As already mentioned earlier, BMW will launch its dedicated electric ‘new class’ of cars in 2025, with initial production in Europe and also in the United States. Today, the Munich car manufacturer announced that the ‘Neue Klasse’ will also be built in China. Meanwhile, the Group showed off on another level in Cannes (where the […]
May 19, 2023
Mercedes has unveiled its new VAN.EA architecture. The modular underpinnings can house a variety of van models, from medium to large, and must significantly boost electrifying its utility department. The first models on the new platform are expected in 2026. The VAN.EA platform, which will be produced in sites all over the world from Mercedes, […]
May 19, 2023
It’s been two years since Nissan ceased production of the Nissan Navara and closed its factory near Barcelona. But a Spanish group of investors is reanimating the model and preparing to launch an all-electric Navara called Ebro. As pickup trucks are challenging to comply with stern emission rulings in the EU, Nissan decided to withdraw […]
May 17, 2023
The number one American car manufacturer General Motors is gearing up for its return to Europe with an EV line-up. The Cadillac Lyriq could be among the first to hit the road here, as the carmaker is preparing to kick off EV sales in Europe this autumn, but only in some countries. GM European President […]
May 17, 2023
After a slight decrease in 2021, mainly due to delivery problems, the Belgian bicycle market has grown by a substantial 19% to almost 700 000 units (695 871 to be precise), or 110 958 more than in 2021. The corona problems are clearly behind us, and plenty of bicycles and spare parts are available. According […]
May 17, 2023
A few weeks after the compact electric delivery van E-Transit Courier, Ford also presented its passenger car version, E-Tourneo Courier. The battery-electric five-seater with a length of just under 4,40 meters and an “SUV-inspired design” is intended to score with a generous amount of space for passengers and luggage. With an output of 100 kW, […]
