December 30, 2022
The 100th-anniversary edition of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS, 14 to 22 January 2023) will show at least 14 world or European premieres and 48 Belgian ones. Of course, this has to do with the absence of the (live) show for a couple of years, but also with the painful exit of some of its […]
December 28, 2022
Retrofit, the transformation of an existing, sometimes old car into an electrically driven one, is becoming increasingly popular. But many countries have legal obstacles to such a conversion. Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) wants to solve these problems by creating a legal canvas for the proceedings. In France, Retrofit is already popular. One of […]
December 28, 2022
Along with introducing two new flagship SUVs, the third generation of battery-swapping stations was shown at the NIO Day 2022 event in Hefei, China. These stations can hold up to 21 charged battery packs (up from 13) and perform 408 swaps a day (+30%), as it now only takes two and a half minutes to […]
December 27, 2022
From now on, those who wish to do so can request a digital repayment plan for traffic fines. So reports Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld). The application is made through the Justice Just-on-Web digital portal and is available for everyone, as the offender does not have to prove his financial situation. The initiative […]
December 27, 2022
Umicore, the Belgian materials technology group, and the Canadian battery developer Nano One announce the signing of a non-exclusive agreement to jointly develop production process technologies for lithium-ion battery active cathode materials. Both companies intend to share their technologies for high nickel NMC active cathode materials to increase throughput further while reducing the cost and […]
December 23, 2022
In its station at De Watering in Dutch Oostzaan, charging point operator Fastned has opened a charging column of 400 kW. In theory, vehicles can charge 100 kilometers of range in just about three minutes here. The milestone is a cooperation with charging solutions supplier EVBox. To reduce downtime in areas with high traffic rates, […]
December 23, 2022
BMW wants to produce solid-state battery cells in its own pilot plant in Germany based on the design of technology partner Solid Power. To this end, the Munich-based carmaker has obtained a research and development license from the US company. “Solid Power, Inc., an industry-leading developer of all-solid-state battery and sulfide-based electrolyte technology, today announced […]
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 Poland (TMMP) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK […]
December 21, 2022
Belgian railway network operator Infrabel has inaugurated in Brussels an infrared system against track walkers. The system should avoid as many casualties as possible and protect the punctuality of trains. The advanced surveillance system was inaugurated at Brussels-Capelle Church, the busiest point on the rail network with a daily flow of 1 200 trains and […]
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 halved. The background to this is Audi’s announcement […]
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 electrified combustion engines. A keen eye […]
December 19, 2022
Norway is the world leader in EV adoption, but in its far northern remote regions, a lot of its inhabitants still must make ends meet without an electricity grid. For one specific reindeer farm, Hyundai came to the rescue and powered a cabin for light and cooking lunch. No, not some Christmas magic, just the […]
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, which specializes in inductive charging of […]
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 for the German carmaker’s electric lineup will already […]
December 16, 2022
Two family businesses from Limburg (Belgium) – Orbix in Genk and Betonagglomeraten Gubbels Masterbloc in Maasmechelen (both Limburg) – have launched a world-first: they produce CO2 ‘absorbing’ construction blocks based on slag from the steel industry. The finished products are bricks in which cement has been replaced by CO2 as a binding agent. The bricks […]
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 nod that the company is working on a battery […]
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, so they are a source of valuable resources. Besides, only a few […]
December 14, 2022
Chinese electric carmaker NIO has opened a second battery swapping station in the Netherlands in Apeldoorn, near the 50 highway at the Hotel Van der Valk Exclusief parking. The first one opened two weeks ago in Tilburg near the Belgian border. NIO wants to roll out a network of 120 Power Swap Stations in Europe […]
December 12, 2022
Seat’s performance brand Cupra is expanding its engagement in sustainable racing. It has announced a further tie-up with Abt Sportline to compete in the next season of ABB FIA Formula E with drivers Robin Frijns and Nico Müller. Cupra’s ambition is to become a fully carbon-neutral brand by 2030, and is assimilating its motorsports ambitions […]
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 holders […]
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 for a while but has […]
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 Volkswagen Group builds twelve […]
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 highest prices in the world. […]
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 looking for green steel, and we want to lead […]
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 same technology as the previously unveiled GR Yaris. […]
December 06, 2022
European aircraft giant Airbus believes in hydrogen to propel aviation in the future. It solemnly pledged to have an H2 airplane commercially ready by 2035. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine showed last week could be the ideal solution for planes for mid-haul flights with up to 100 passengers and a range of 1 000 nautical […]
December 06, 2022
A new boss comes with a new set of laws. With Oliver Blume now in charge of the Volkswagen Group, his management team has sent the prestigious Trinity model back to the drawing board. But unfortunately, they weren’t happy with the original design proposal. As a flagship model, the Trinity was supposed to hit the […]
December 06, 2022
Volvo has overhauled the powertrains of the all-electric C40 and XC40 Recharge. As a result, the models get more range while the Single Motor model switches from front to rear-wheel drive. Whether the Polestar 2, using the same technical building blocks, follows suit isn’t clear at this point. The architecture is changing the motor type […]
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 European premiere of the all-electric Toyota bZ Compact SUV […]
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 plans have yet been announced by Stellantis: the partnership with Qinomic merely seeks to […]
December 05, 2022
Through its green subsidiary e-Line, German tuner Abt is starting to develop and produce a fuel cell driveline for vans. With daily ranges of 800 kilometers in express logistics not uncommon, it believes hydrogen is the preferred solution to battery-electric. “We see a sensible area of applications for the hydrogen fuel cell in long-distance logistics,” […]
December 05, 2022
After an intensive testing program, BMW has started, as announced earlier, producing a small series of fuel cell iX5 SAVs that will be used as a technology demonstrator for crucial clients in selected regions from spring 2023. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation […]
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. Umicore reports this in a press release. Umicore and PowerCo have also […]
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 development. Instead of joining forces with another carmaker, Renault has chosen one of […]
December 01, 2022
During the final test sessions for the all-new eSprinter, Mercedes gathered results on the consumption of its zero-emission van. Completing a journey from Untertürkheim to the airport of Münich and back, the van registered a range of 475 kilometers on a single charge. This autonomy corresponds with an average consumption of 21,9 kWh/100 km, which […]
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 946 vehicles of the Lightyear 0, a symbolic […]
November 30, 2022
A locomotive of Belgian rail freight company Lineas carried out a demo run in the Netherlands fully autonomously on Tuesday. In the process, the locomotive also encountered obstacles on the rails, reports Alstom, which is developing the technology. The demonstration, which took place near Breda, concludes a series of tests that are part of a […]
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 designed with EVs in mind and optimizes weight and efficiency […]
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 redesigned completely. Chances are […]
November 29, 2022
It’s a world first, says the British airplane engine manufacturer Rolls Royce with the same name as the car, but no other than historical connections: a modern turboprop airplane engine running on green hydrogen. It didn’t fly yet, but it was a successful ‘ground test’ together with the British low-budget airline easyJet. H2ZERO, as the […]
November 28, 2022
As of last Friday, Seoul’s citizens can ride in an autonomous driving bus. The first self-driving shuttle was inaugurated and must help people take the threshold and build faith in the technology. The bus runs a 3,4-kilometer-long loop through South Korea’s capital, which lasts around 20 minutes. Travelers can embark on one of the two […]
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 Klasse’. As reported, the vehicle plant […]
November 25, 2022
It’s called the Caterpillar 793 Electric. The American construction equipment behemoth showcased its prototype of a zero-emission mining truck at its proving ground in Arizona. The test area is also being transformed into a sustainable project to inspire mining companies in their decarbonization goals globally. Without providing exact specifications, Caterpillar showcased the prototype of its […]
November 24, 2022
American hydrogen high-tech startup Hyperion, known for its 1000-mile range XP-1 hypercar, showed in Los Angeles its idea to tackle the infrastructure headaches: a mobile, spaceship-like filling station for FCEVs that can make its own hydrogen on-site but also fast-charge an EV alongside in 20 minutes. The idea behind it is simple, but a substantial […]
November 23, 2022
The German supplier ZF presented a new generation of electric drives for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. With numerous innovations at the component and system level, these are to “set standards with outstanding power density and energy efficiency”. According to the company’s press release, these standards include the compact design of the drives, the […]
November 23, 2022
Halfway through its development cycle, Mercedes has started durability tests with the EQG. Though this battery-powered version embodies a new chapter in the vehicle’s bloodline, its hardcore mission won’t change. If standards are already extraordinary for the regular G-Class, these will be even more demanding on the all-electric version. The battery pack must be capable […]
November 22, 2022
The US-based brand Drako is the newest addition to a flood of new brands following in the wake of the electrification of the automotive industry. This gull-winged super-SUV counts on 2 000 hp, and subsequent performance runs outpacing the Ferrari Purosangue. Fasten your seatbelts. Faithful to the customer taste of its home market, the company […]
November 22, 2022
Geely’s luxury brand Zeekr has launched a platform for autonomous driving vehicles. Dubbed SEA-M, the carmaker presented it on a robotaxi, the M-Vision. Google’s subsidiary Waymo is the first customer. The unveiling of the car, and the architecture, follows a previous announcement from Google and Geely unveiling their collaboration on developing an all-electric ride-hailing vehicle […]
