VW ID. Buzz Cargo LWB: higher load volume and range

September 09, 2026

Volkswagen is preparing to launch a long-wheelbase version of its ID. Buzz Cargo. The LWB passenger version is already available, but now the van-version follows suit. At a brand event in Berlin, Volkswagen has unveiled a long wheelbase version of its electric ID. Buzz Cargo van. The longer wheelbase will bring several improvements for professional […]

15 million passengers chose to travel by Belgian trains this summer

September 09, 2026

In July and August, 15 million occasional passengers chose to travel by train. These were passengers with single-trip tickets, not season passes. That was 9,3% more than during the same period last year. The Belgian coast remained one of the most popular destinations: during the summer, 1,7 million tickets were sold to and from coastal […]

Fastned opens Wallonia’s biggest hub but rollout falls behind schedule

September 09, 2026

Fastned has officially inaugurated its largest charging station in Wallonia, with twelve ultra-fast charging points along the E411 at Libin. But behind the new yellow canopy lies another story: the ambitious Fastned-IDELUX network announced two years ago is taking considerably longer to materialize than initially planned – and one of the original eleven locations has […]

Europe’s largest CO2 capture plant inaugurated in the Netherlands

September 09, 2026

The Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara inaugurated Europe’s largest CO2 capture plant on Monday in Sluiskil (the Netherlands), near the Belgian border.  The aim is to capture up to 800,000 tons of CO2 from its ammonia production every year, or about 0.5 percent of the Netherlands’ total annual emissions, and store it permanently.  The plant completes […]

D’Ieteren cuts jobs but doubles down on Belgium’s hypercar appetite

September 09, 2026

Only days after announcing a restructuring that could put 344 jobs at risk, D’Ieteren Automotive has opened a new Bugatti showroom and workshop in Drogenbos, south of Brussels. At first sight, the timing could hardly be more contradictory. In reality, it says a lot about where Belgium’s biggest car importer thinks money will still be […]

‘Belgium’s mobility budget could blow €1 billion hole in state revenues’

September 09, 2026

Belgium’s plan to make the federal mobility budget compulsory for employers offering company cars could punch a hole of up to €1 billion a year in federal revenues, according to calculations by consultancy EY seen by De Tijd. The figure is striking, but it is not a forecast: it represents a scenario in which one […]

Maserati in advanced talks with Chinese Huawei to build cars together

September 09, 2026

As the electric Folgore strategy has failed on the Italian trident brand, the car maker has reached out to the Chinese smart-car tech company Huawei and the manufacturer JAC to explore a collaboration. The question is what this could entail for the brand’s defined Italian luxury image, as well as its prospects on the US […]

Renault hires Nissan veteran Diernaz as new global marketing chief

September 09, 2026

Renault has appointed former Nissan and General Motors executive Jean-Pierre Diernaz as its new global marketing chief. At first sight, it looks like another management reshuffle. But Diernaz’s long Nissan history and the fact that he will report directly to Fabrice Cambolive give the appointment a broader significance. Diernaz becomes Vice-President Renault Brand Global Marketing […]

VW swaps cabriolets for air defence to save German factory

September 08, 2026

Volkswagen is preparing one of the most striking industrial conversions of Germany’s post-war era. Its Osnabrück plant, best known today for the T-Roc Cabriolet, is set to stop building cars in summer 2027 and gradually become a competence center for security and defense systems. VW has agreed key terms with the state of Lower Saxony […]

Polestar Formula 2030: a pretty face for ugly numbers

September 08, 2026

The Swedish EV brand Polestar has unveiled a first glimpse of what the new 2 and 7 will look like. Is the timing of the design meant to mask the tough news that accompanied the latest publication of its balance sheet? Geely-owned Polestar has pulled back the curtain on the Formula 2030 design study at […]

ICE connects Antwerp, Leuven and Brussels Airport directly with Cologne

September 08, 2026

Antwerp, Leuven, and Brussels Airport are now connected to Germany – specifically Cologne – by high-speed train. This is the first-ever high-speed train service between Antwerp and Germany. Deutsche Bahn is operating its newest ICE neo trains on this route, which can accommodate over 400 passengers and reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. Thanks […]

Belgium turns speeding fines into emotional wake-up calls

September 08, 2026

Anyone logging into the Belgian platform Just-on-web from Monday onward to pay a speeding fine will receive testimonials from mothers of children killed in accidents, alongside the federal speeding violation notices. In addition, the federal letters on speeding violations include cards with personal messages from witnesses.  That is the core of a new road safety […]

New €17,900 Dacia Spring brings EV costs into Sandero territory

September 08, 2026

Dacia has officially unveiled the second-generation Spring, and the biggest change is not its tougher design or slightly longer range. Europe’s cheapest electric car is no longer a low-cost Chinese import. The new Spring will be built at Renault Group’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, with an expected starting price in Europe of €17,900. Belgian […]

Audi prices new A2 e-tron aggressively from €38,450

September 07, 2026

A month after revealing the technology behind its new A2 e-tron, Audi has answered perhaps the more important question: what will its new electric entry model actually cost? In Belgium, prices start at €38,450, while the version offering the headline 646-kilometer WLTP range comes in at €48,550. That puts the A2 e-tron in an interesting […]

JLR reported to cut 4.000 jobs as part of its recovery plan

September 07, 2026

JLR is expected to announce it will cut 4.000 jobs. Although the figure has not been officially confirmed, the company behind Land Rover and Jaguar has stated it has informed employees about a voluntary redundancy program. Things have not been going smoothly for JLR, the UK’s largest car manufacturer, which employs around 30.000 people in […]

ICCT: EVs cost 33% less to drive as battery prices tumble

September 07, 2026

According to a report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the financial case for battery cars has tipped into positive territory across much of Europe. At the heart of the transition sit lower battery prices. As the oil market is increasingly pressurized, the cost gap with combustion engines is projected to widen further. The […]

Strike averted at Brussels Airlines over flights to Tel Aviv (update)

September 07, 2026

Brussels Airlines plans to resume operating one to two daily flights to Tel Aviv starting in September. Unlike in the past, the airline no longer wants to rely exclusively on volunteers for these flights and instead intends to require staff to work them through the standard scheduling process. According to the ACV Puls union, Brussels […]

Geely’s €20,000 E2 hits Benelux showrooms backed by 24 outlets

September 07, 2026

Three weeks after Geely announced its €20,000 E2 for Belgium and the Netherlands, the compact EV is moving from announcement to reality. The first cars have reached Belgian showrooms, while Dutch dealers are opening their doors for orders and test drives. And Geely is not relying on a handful of experimental outlets: the brand already […]

Tesla’s Cybercab finally goes public but may not be road-legal

September 07, 2026

Tesla’s Cybercab, the pinnacle of the company’s future, has been officially revealed and put to the test in the streets of Austin. Instantly, the first problem arose: Washington isn’t convinced it’s legal. Tesla has officially put its purpose-built Cybercab robotaxi into commercial service in Austin, Texas. The company kicks off a new chapter in its […]

Mazda CX-6e driven: European manners, Chinese-tech cabin

September 07, 2026

When we first met the Mazda CX-6e at its static Belgian presentation in June, the central question was obvious: can an electric SUV developed together with Changan and built in China really feel like a Mazda? After roughly three hours behind the wheel around Düsseldorf, the answer is clearer. On the road, surprisingly often yes. […]

Supersonic is back, the business case isn’t – yet

September 04, 2026

Travelers, aircraft manufacturers, aviation enthusiasts, and those nostalgic for the Concorde are dreaming aloud of a comeback for supersonic flight. Now that regulations in the U.S. are being amended to lift the absolute ban on supersonic flight over the country, nothing seems to stand in the way of a return of commercial flights at speeds […]

Bob campaign sees drink-driving rate fall for fifth year running

September 04, 2026

According to the federal police, the latest Bob campaign conducted in Belgium during the summer has once again presented encouraging results, with ‘only’ 1.36% of drivers testing positive for alcohol. When the first campaign was launched in 1995 – 31 years ago – that figure was still 6.4%. The message is certainly getting through, then […]

Record summer for aviation despite high prices

September 04, 2026

On July 23, Flightradar24 recorded 153,359 commercial flights worldwide within 24 hours – the busiest day ever recorded, well above the previous record set in 2023. That figure – 16,134 more flights than the old record – also sets the tone for the entire month of July, as global demand for air travel rose by […]

Range Rover Electric: a V8 without the emissions

September 04, 2026

Range Rover’s first battery-powered car is a flagship model that promises V8 prowess without the emissions from gasoline. According to the brand, it is a Range Rover first and an electric second. But is that good enough to persuade the wealthy buyers who sidestepped the electric Mercedes G-Class? Maybe the real competitor here is exactly […]

D’Ieteren puts 344 jobs at risk as traditional car sales lose ground

September 04, 2026

D’Ieteren, Belgium’s largest car importer, has announced a major restructuring that could put up to 344 jobs at risk. The Volkswagen Group importer says the traditional model built around selling new cars no longer reflects market reality. The stock-quoted group wants to shift its focus further toward mobility services and longer-term customer relationships. D’Ieteren presented its […]

CREG: ‘Energy prices at highest level in years’

September 03, 2026

The federal energy regulator CREG, the Commission for Electricity and Gas Regulation, warns that the numerous projects planned by high-voltage grid operator Elia over the coming years will lead to high electricity rates for households and businesses.  The plans include, among other things, the energy island, new high-voltage lines such as Ventilus and Boucle du […]

Wall of shipping containers to block noise from diesel train in Lokeren

September 03, 2026

NMBS/SNCB has found a solution to the legal dispute arising from noise pollution caused by stationary diesel trains at the Lokeren station. The Belgian railway company is erecting a temporary noise barrier made of shipping containers, nearly 250 meters long. The stacked containers, representing an investment of 300,000 euros, will be placed near the former […]

This robot dog ‘poops’ your parcel, while selling you ads

September 03, 2026

America’s Robot.com is proud to present R-dog, the new delivery robot with a friendly face and WALL-E-like eyes, a red cap, and an approachable design. It can wiggle its furry tail and then ‘poop’ your package onto your porch. The R-dog has four articulated legs with wheels at the ends, so it can roll efficiently […]

Leapmotor leaves China’s EV start-up pack behind and EU takes notice

September 03, 2026

Leapmotor has surpassed the 100,000-car monthly delivery threshold for the second month in a row, underscoring just how quickly the Chinese EV maker is moving from start-up status to a global volume player. The company delivered a record 103,129 vehicles in August, 80.7% more than a year earlier and slightly above July’s 101,267 units. That makes […]

EV batteries age better than feared, 500,000 tests show

September 03, 2026

A massive analysis of more than 500,000 EV battery tests suggests that most electric cars retain at least 90% of their original battery capacity after 150,000 kilometers. But the averages hide large differences between individual cars – precisely why Belgium is already adding battery-health data to the Car-Pass and why calls for an independent battery […]

Polestar expands the 4 range with an SUV that’s really an estate

September 03, 2026

The eagerly anticipated Polestar 4 SUV adds a rear window to the original concept. The model loses one of its most distinguishing features in exchange for more practicality. Is this car the one Polestar should have launched from the start? Polestar has finally done the obvious thing. The original 4, which is still the brand’s […]

Belgian speed pedelec gets two motors and 200-km range

September 02, 2026

Belgian speed-pedelec start-up Specter has started production of its second-generation Specter 2, promising up to 200 kilometers of range and two-wheel drive. But the real achievement may be less spectacular than those headline figures: Specter has found a way to make much of the technology of its €10,000-plus first generation considerably more affordable, while bringing frame […]

Tesla’s magic trick: more range from poorer rubber

September 02, 2026

Last week, Tesla updated its European configurator to show a WLTP range of 572 kilometers for the base rear-wheel-drive Model 3. Up from 534 kilometers, that’s an impressive gain. Especially because no new motor or cell chemistry swap was involved. Just new shoes from an Indonesian tire manufacturer that don’t bode well, based on initial customer […]

How Belgium turned MINI into a fleet car: Accent orders record 500 EVs

September 02, 2026

MINI used to be the kind of car employees wanted, but fleet managers hesitated to buy. In Belgium, that image has changed remarkably quickly. HR group Accent has now ordered 500 fully electric MINIs, the largest single EV order in MINI history worldwide. The cars, mainly Aceman and Countryman Electric models, will be deployed across […]

Belgium is Europe’s commuting champion for time, not distance

September 02, 2026

Belgian employees spend more than one hour a day traveling to and from work, making Belgium once again Europe’s commuting champion. But the explanation is not simply that Belgians live farther from their jobs. In fact, Dutch employees often cover even greater distances. Belgium’s problem is that those kilometers take unusually long to cover. According […]

Febiac: Belgian car market recovers as EVs grab record 46% share

September 02, 2026

The Belgian new-car market continued to claw back its poor start to 2026 in August. Registrations rose by 8.3% year-on-year to 28,295 cars, while fully electric models took a record 46.2% of the market. Yet the headline growth needs some perspective: August had one more working day than last year, and volumes remain well below […]

VAB warns: buying used in Flanders becomes more of a gamble

September 01, 2026

From 1 January 2027, the mandatory technical inspection before the sale of a used car will disappear in Flanders for vehicles already registered in Belgium. Mobility organization VAB says buyers should therefore rely on three “safety lines”: the regular roadworthiness inspection, the Car-Pass, and, for those seeking greater certainty, a voluntary professional diagnosis. The warning […]

Heylen buys Audi Brussels site for major 3,000-job redevelopment

September 01, 2026

Heylen Warehouses, the real estate arm of the family-owned industrial holding company led by the Kempen-based entrepreneur Wim Heylen, has purchased the former Audi site in the Brussels municipality of Forrest/Vorst. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. The site covers approximately 55 hectares and has been vacant for a year and a […]

Stellantis reshuffles its Enlarged Europe Organization

September 01, 2026

Stellantis announces (again) new appointments within its Enlarged Europe Organization, effective September 1, as it continues executing its Fastlane 2030 strategic plan. Reporting to Emanuele Cappellano, COO Enlarged Europe, are now Arnaud Belloni, who has been appointed CEO of the FIAT, Abarth, and Lancia brands and chief marketing officer for Europe; Xavier Chardon, who has […]

Finnish Suvia buys Belgium’s largest body repair chain AutoRepairGroup

September 01, 2026

Belgium’s biggest independent body repair network is changing ownership. After a period under the umbrella of a private equity firm, AutoRepairGroup has been acquired by its Finnish peer Suvia. It reads as an early sign of a consolidation wave that will ripple through the sector as electric vehicles are rewriting the playbook. AutoRepairGroup runs fourteen […]

Renault upgrades Scenic E-Tech

September 01, 2026

Renault is upgrading the Scenic E-Tech electric with new features and services to enhance comfort, connectivity, and electric performance. With the 162 kW/220 hp motor, the Scenic E-Tech electric is now available with a choice of two new batteries offering greater range and shorter charging times at DC fast-charging points. The 89 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) long-range […]

BMW delays agency sales again: if it works for MINI, why wait until 2028?

September 01, 2026

BMW is reportedly postponing the introduction of its agency sales model in Germany until mid-2028, more than two years later than originally planned. That seems strange, as BMW continues to insist that the same model is working successfully at MINI. The explanation may be that MINI demonstrated both the potential and the complexity of taking […]

MyWheels puts Tesla FSD in shared cars, but driver still carries the risk

September 01, 2026

Dutch car-sharing company MyWheels wants to become the first major European operator to put Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised system into shared cars. It plans to deploy at least 50 FSD-equipped Teslas in 2026, with the first car already in service. But after questions from Newmobility.news, MyWheels is adding an important nuance to its original claim. […]

New Nissan Leaf is the best EV on the market, according to AutoExpress

August 31, 2026

The British car magazine AutoExpress has ranked all 161 EVs currently available on the UK market, and the somewhat surprising (or not?) winner is the new Nissan Leaf. The magazine presented its road testers with a complete list of every UK market electric car available to buy and asked them to rank each model on […]

De Lijn organizes 2,100 trips per day for special education students

August 31, 2026

At the start of the new school year in Flanders, things are traditionally busy at De Lijn because the public transportation company also operates buses for students in special education. In June, there was a lot of commotion because Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wanted to cut costs on those trips, but […]

BYD turns tiny Racco into weapon for Europe’s €20,000 EV fight

August 31, 2026

When BYD unveiled its tiny Racco for Japan earlier this year, it looked like a very specific answer to the peculiar rules of the Japanese kei-car market. Six months later, it is becoming clear that some of its technology could also shape BYD’s next generation of small, affordable EVs for Europe. According to reports from […]

VW’s electric California solves weight problem by leaving kitchen at home

August 31, 2026

Volkswagen has finally shown the ID. California Cruise at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. But anyone expecting an electric equivalent of the familiar California Ocean may be surprised. VW appears to have solved the weight problem that once put the ID. Buzz camper on hold by keeping this first version deliberately simple. That makes the […]

Reminder: Belgium’s road rules change from September 1

August 31, 2026

Starting September 1, several new rules will take effect in Belgium, affecting traffic and mobility. For example, helmets will be required when riding an e-scooter capable of speeds exceeding 20 km/h. In Flanders, cars will only need to be inspected every two years after the initial inspection. Because an inspection certificate is valid throughout Belgium, […]

BYD profits rise for first time in five quarters as overseas sales surge

August 31, 2026

After four straight quarters of decline, BYD has managed to reverse the trend. The world’s largest EV maker, which was struggling in an overheated home market, posted a second-quarter net profit of 8.2 billion yuan (roughly 1.05 billion euros). That is a 30 percent year-on-year jump and the first time profitability has risen since early […]

VW’s smallest EV will be named ID. Up

August 31, 2026

Volkswagen’s planned electric small car for 2027, with a projected base price of around €20,000, will be called ID. Up, not ID.1, according to a Spanish media report. The publication writes that VW has already finalized the model’s name as ID. Up. The specifications of the new ID. Up are expected to largely match those […]

Renault’s new Trafic enters EV van battle: 450 km is only the start.

August 31, 2026

Renault will use the IAA Transportation show in Hanover to take the next commercial step with its completely new Trafic Van E-Tech electric. The van itself is no longer a secret: the definitive production version was shown at Solutrans last November. What appears to be new on September 14 is the opening of the order […]

London police beat phone snatchers at their own game with Sur-Rons

August 28, 2026

It’s a bit like a British version of the heist movie The Italian Job, but with Sur-Ron e-bikes instead of Mini Coopers, because the London police have significantly expanded their fleet of Sur-Ron motorcycles to be able to chase criminals riding the same kind of bikes. The bikes, which are used by criminals in street […]

Lotus’s electric revolution is over, now comes the rescue plan

August 28, 2026

Lotus is growing again, but its latest half-year results also confirm how radically the British sports-car brand has had to rewrite its future. Deliveries rose 39% in the first half of 2026, yet Europe went backward, losses remain heavy, and the parent company, Geely, has had to inject another $128 million. The all-electric revolution is over. […]

South Africa builds silent electric 4×4 ‘bakkie’ for the bush

August 28, 2026

No diesel clatter, no exhaust fumes, and no engine vibration while creeping up on wildlife. Electric propulsion may be particularly well suited to safari driving, and South African start-up Thula Solutions has designed a rugged 4×4 ‘bakkie’ specifically to exploit those advantages. Its Electric Safari Vehicle, or ESV, is not Africa’s first battery-powered game viewer. […]

KU Leuven students bring hydrogen racer to life for Le Mans bid

August 28, 2026

KU Leuven’s HydroTeam has reached an important milestone on its road to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its hydrogen-powered prototype has moved under its own power for the first time, completing laps inside Eastech Park in Leuven. That appears to make it Belgium’s first functioning race car powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. The […]

Silent threat? Vias says some EVs are still too hard to hear

August 28, 2026

A recent study by the Belgian road safety institute Vias shows that electric vehicles are more frequently involved in accidents with vulnerable road users. They are involved in 42% of injury-causing accidents involving electric cars, compared with 27% for all car types. Vias analyzed whether the lower noise levels of electric and hybrid vehicles could affect the […]

BYD brings Belgian chip specialist Melexis into its inner supply circle

August 27, 2026

Melexis, the Belgian designer and developer of chips primarily for automotive sensors, has signed a Master Purchase Agreement (MPA) with China’s largest electric car manufacturer BYD. This partnership agreement gives Melexis more direct access to China’s enormous market to sell its chips in mass production, while BYD gains faster access to Melexis’s specialized sensor and […]

BMW sold 2 million BEVs and 3.5 million electrified vehicles

August 27, 2026

BMW’s Neue Klasse is apparently providing strong momentum for fully electric vehicle sales.  Two million BEVs have been handed over to customers since sales of the very first BMW i3 launched in late 2013. Including plug-in hybrids, BMW has delivered around 3.5 million electrified vehicles to customers worldwide since 2013. In the first half of […]

Vias: ‘Cars get safer, bicycles don’t: half of seriously injured are cyclists’

August 27, 2026

In 2024, 13,581 traffic casualties in Belgium were hospitalized following a traffic accident. Of these casualties, 3,232 people suffered serious injuries.  That is 7% fewer than in 2023, and 17% fewer than in 2016, while total hospitalizations fell by 17%. The figures come from a new report published by Vias, the Belgian road safety institute. The […]

Honda won’t build a new US factory without USMCA agreement

August 27, 2026

The consequences of the upcoming trade war between the US and Canada are already showing. A senior Honda executive said the Japanese automaker might not build an eighth assembly plant in North America unless a key trade deal (USMCA) is extended. The Trump administration is currently negotiating with Canada and Mexico over the fate of […]

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