New record for traffic violations in Belgium

June 02, 2026

Last year, the federal police recorded 10,1 million traffic violations in Belgium, a new record. Approximately 83% of all recorded traffic violations were speeding offenses. However, the majority of these are minor violations, involving speeds of 0-10 kph over the limit. This trend is largely attributable to the fact that traffic enforcement in Belgium is […]

Belux car registrations slightly lower in May, BEV sales continue to grow

June 02, 2026

According to the data of the sector federation, Febiac, and the federal government service Mobility & Transport, 33,625 new cars were registered in May, 2.1% fewer than last year. Febiac stresses that there were two fewer working days this May than last year, which is the main cause of the regression. Overall, looking at the […]

All foreign license plates are once again being ticketed in Brussels

June 02, 2026

For years, parking fines for vehicles with foreign license plates were not always collected in Brussels. That situation is now coming to an end thanks to the introduction of a new international collection system. Parking.brussels is engaging a specialized collection agency to address these violations. Of the total number of parking tickets issued in Brussels, […]

BYD pays out if its ADAS systems fail

June 02, 2026

It’s the main question hovering over the use of ADAS technology and automated driving: if the systems fail and cause an accident, who’s paying the bill? Most disclaimers say that the use must be supervised and that the driver is always responsible. Not BYD. Still, there remain some ‘buts’. At its Intelligence Strategy Launch Event […]

Polestar plugs into bidirectional charging with test pilot

June 02, 2026

Vehicle-to-grid has been “just around the corner” for some years now. Many EV owners are eagerly awaiting it, as second-generation EVs almost all offer the technology as a standard feature. This week, several announcements arrived at once – in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands – that suggest the corner has finally been turned. The latest […]

Toyota scraps the Lexus LF-ZC despite production promise

June 01, 2026

Japanese automaker Toyota has quietly killed its most technologically ambitious electric vehicle: the LF-ZC. It joins Honda, Mazda, and Subaru in retreating from their own electrification promises. When Toyota unveiled the Lexus LF-ZC at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023, it looked, briefly, like the world’s largest carmaker had decided to stop hedging. The […]

BMW opens configurator for rear-wheel-drive iX3 40

June 01, 2026

BMW has opened the configurator for the rear-wheel-drive version of the first model in its Neue Klasse range. In Germany, customers can now order the iX3 from a starting price of €63,400, which is €7,500 less than the AWD top version iX3 50 xDrive. BMW plans to begin deliveries during the summer. With the new […]

Scania launches battery-electric CrewCab for rescue vehicles

June 01, 2026

Scania launches its first-ever battery-electric CrewCab for fire, airport, and civil rescue operations. The new battery-electric CP31L 4×2 is purpose-built to support demanding emergency operations while enabling zero-tailpipe-emissions transport operations. Equipped with 356 kWh installed battery capacity and a 90% state-of-charge window, the vehicle combines operational capability with electric performance. Designed with free frame sides, […]

NMBS/SNCB reports 10% increase in passengers due to high fuel prices

June 01, 2026

People are choosing to take the train more often because of high fuel prices. This is according to a survey of train passengers conducted by the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB. NMBS/SNCB is also seeing this growth in passengers’ numbers reflected in the figures: in March and April, the railway company sold 10% more single […]

Waymo starts free ride-hailing with new Ojai robotaxi

June 01, 2026

American ride-hailing operator Waymo has brought its most ambitious vehicle yet into rotation: the purpose-built Ojai (pronounced: oh-hi), its sixth-generation robotaxi made in China. Rides are currently free, but not for long. All of Waymo’s previous autonomous vehicles were regular consumer cars converted into robotaxis: a Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the Volvo XC90, and then a […]

Charging station manufacturer Enovates pulls the plug

June 01, 2026

Enovates, the Belgian manufacturer of electric-vehicle charging stations established in Lokeren, East-Flanders, had to close its books after several years of financial losses. According to the newspaper De Tijd, the mother company, Connect Group, has finally pulled the plug. Enovates has installed several hundred thousand charging stations across Europe, and many charge point operators are […]

Renault Group renews climate ambition targets

June 01, 2026

Renault Group is announcing the renewal of its science-based targets, with a new approval of its near- and long-term targets by the Science Based Targets initiative. These targets are supported by the product momentum of the ‘futuREady’ strategic plan.  In 2019, Renault Group was the first carmaker to rely on science-based climate targets. Renault is announcing the renewal of its science-based […]

BMW goes local: Neue Klasse enters China’s EV pressure cooker

May 30, 2026

BMW’s presence at Auto China 2026 combines a production milestone with a product reset. As the company celebrates its seven-millionth vehicle, it is also using Beijing for the world premiere of the long-wheelbase BMW iX3 and BMW i3. It’s the first Neue Klasse models developed specifically “in China, for China and with China”. The broader […]

Chinese brand, Li Auto, also arrives in Europe

May 29, 2026

The Chinese car manufacturer Li Auto is coming to Europe to launch its i6 medium SUV in the second quarter of the year. The Mega electric minivan will become available in right-hand drive markets by year-end. By doing so, Li Auto is attempting to counter fierce domestic competition by expanding its overseas footprint, a move […]

New train connection: Ghent/Antwerp to Paris and Amsterdam by GoVolta

May 29, 2026

The Dutch railway company GoVolta will launch a daily train service between Amsterdam and Paris on December 14, with stops at Antwerp Central and Ghent-Sint-Pieters. For Ghent, this marks the return of a direct train connection to Paris since the discontinuation of the Thalys service in 2015. GoVolta promises fares starting at €10 for train […]

Stellantis Pro One’s answer to Renault Flexis: a self-driving box

May 29, 2026

In Europe, Stellantis Pro One sells more vans than any other brand. Now it wants to reinvent what a van actually is. The vision? The autonomous driving Box on Wheels. At its Investor Day, Stellantis flooded the press with strategic road maps, investment programs, and a reshuffling of its brand hierarchy. In the margin, it […]

Japan has a new EV brand, but it’s not really Japanese

May 29, 2026

Is Japan’s tightly guarded kei car market ready for a shake-up? There’s a new kid on Tokyo’s block, as the fresh brand EMTA has announced its intention to get its slice of the nation’s famous small and affordable cars. There’s a very deliberate attempt not to look Chinese, but the reality – of course – […]

Volkswagen seriously reduces overcapacity in Germany

May 29, 2026

Volkswagen agreed with Germany’s IG Metall union at the end of 2024 to cut domestic production capacity by more than 700,000 vehicles and has now largely completed the reduction. Meanwhile, Xpeng confirmed talks with Volkswagen about using a plant in Europe. By the end of 2024, tensions between Volkswagen’s management and its workforce had reached […]

Lommel and Pelt to serve as test case for autonomous vehicles

May 28, 2026

Starting in June, the Belgian Limburg municipalities of Lommel and Pelt will become a rest region for smart and autonomous vehicles. Lommel Mayor Bob Nijs (CD&V) and his Pelt counterpart, Dennis Fransen (CD&V), have signed a letter of commitment to that effect. Initially, the test drives will take place at Ford’s test site in Lommel, […]

Volvo makes charging at Tesla’s network easier for its drivers

May 28, 2026

Volvo EV owners in Europe are getting a meaningful charging improvement while traveling longer distances. Starting in the autumn of this year, drivers will be able to access, initiate, and pay for sessions at Tesla Supercharger stations without the need for a separate app. No, Tesla allowing rival brands to its Supercharger network in Europe […]

New Lancia Gamma crossover SUV comes in Autumn

May 28, 2026

Lancia has unveiled the first images of the New Gamma crossover, the model “that marks a key step in the brand’s evolution”. Designed, engineered, and developed in Italy, the New Lancia Gamma is produced at the Melfi plant, one of the most advanced manufacturing sites within the Stellantis Group. The first vehicles are already undergoing […]

Polestar pushes back 6 electric roadster – maybe for good

May 28, 2026

The Polestar 6 is near ready. The design is finalized, and the development work is mostly concluded. All Polestar needs to do is start production, so it seems. However, don’t expect to see it on the road any time soon. Until market conditions improve, the starting lights remain firmly red. Granted, the 6 isn’t Polestar’s […]

Europ Assistance is rebranding as Redion

May 28, 2026

Europ Assistance, the creator of the travel assistance insurance concept as we know it today, is changing its name. The company will henceforth be known as Redion. The new brand name encompasses the global Care platform of the Generali insurance group, which brings together the activities of Europ Assistance and Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) under […]

Former VW CEO Herbert Diess plans to build electric tractors

May 28, 2026

Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess plans to launch a new mid-range electric tractor next year. To this end, he has founded Diess E-Agrartechnik AG, based in Munich. One of the unique features of the e-tractor is expected to be a swappable battery system enabling 24/7 operation. Herbert Diess is undoubtedly enjoying an active retirement: after […]

Tesla Cybercab certified as the most efficient EV ever built 

May 27, 2026

The Tesla Cybercab leaves every other production EV in the dust when it comes to frugality. For robotaxi economics, its record consumption is genuinely significant. For everything else, context is more important. Tesla’s Cybercab has been officially certified by the US EPA at 165 Wh per mile. Converted to the European WLTP standard, this would […]

EU car registrations up 5.1% in April, one fifth fully electric

May 27, 2026

In April 2026, year-to-date (YTD) new EU car registrations increased by 4.2%, despite ongoing geopolitical factors heightening uncertainty and downside risks, according to data from the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA). In April only, the market increased 5.1% (YOY). “The market continued to benefit from strong consumer demand for a range of electrified technologies, supported […]

BYD launches Dolphin G DM-i: the smallest plug-in hybrid in Belgium 

May 27, 2026

BYD is bringing plug-in hybrid technology to the B-segment, a class that until now has been bypassed or abandoned by car makers. The Dolphin G DM-i aims squarely at Europe’s B-segment. Not only is this the first model BYD has developed specifically for overseas markets, but it is also the only PHEV currently on sale […]

NMBS/SNCB backtracks: access gates in stations to be re-examined (update)

May 27, 2026

The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB will continue to investigate whether access gates can be installed in stations to increase safety. A pilot project may be launched in several stations. This is a striking reversal for NMBS/SNCB, as the idea had previously been rejected. The possibility of installing access gates in the country’s major train […]

Gust from the past: Renault revives Rafale aircraft behind its SUV name

May 27, 2026

Renault has put one of the most evocative names in its back catalog back into the air. Almost 90 years after entering French aviation history, the Renault Caudron Rafale C.460 flew again on 23 and 24 May at the ‘Le Temps des Hélices’ air show at La Ferté-Alais, near Paris. The flight is more than […]

Scania gets mixed up in electric concrete trucks

May 26, 2026

Scania has partnered up with Danish concrete leader Unicon to develop an all-electric concrete mixer truck. More specifically, the development work has gone into powering the concrete drum from the truck’s high-voltage battery to ensure continuous operation, even in challenging scenarios. As electric trucks become more and more mainstream, manufacturers are faced with the challenge […]

Deutsche Bahn aims to boost regional train punctuality back to over 90%

May 26, 2026

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn aims to restore punctuality in regional services to above 90%, although it has not set a specific timeline for achieving this target. Historically, regional trains from Deutsche Bahn, or DB Regio, did perform well, with punctuality consistently above 90%. But the German rail operator’s aging, worn-out network is undergoing simultaneous […]

Landshut powers BMW’s EV catch-up and hydrogen bet

May 26, 2026

BMW Group Plant Landshut has started pre-series production of a hydrogen-specific version of its “Energy Master”, a key control unit for the future BMW iX5 Hydrogen. At the same time, the German site is commissioning a second production line for the battery-electric version of the same component, used in Neue Klasse models such as the […]

Ferrari unveils the electric Luce, do we see the ‘light’ at €550,000?

May 26, 2026

Ferrari has unveiled its first battery-electric vehicle, the Luce, revealing a potentially polarizing four-door fastback that departs sharply from the supercar maker’s tradition and heritage. The Luce, styled by former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s LoveFrom collective, abandons Ferrari’s signature looks for a simple, futuristic shape with floating aerodynamic elements and hidden taillights. ‘Deliberate decision’ […]

Xpeng rolls first series-produced robotaxi off the line

May 26, 2026

Chinese tech company and EV maker Xpeng has achieved a domestic first: a robotaxi built entirely with in-house technologies has entered series production. But rolling a vehicle off a production line might well be the easy part. The real test starts in the second half of 2026. Xpeng has officially rolled off the assembly line […]

Stellantis bets on Land Rover and Dongfeng to regain market share

May 25, 2026

In the wake of his first Investor Day as CEO, Antonio Filosa already presents two cornerstone deals of his strategic turnaround plan: one plans to build Voyah models at the French Citroën factory in Rennes, the other opens the door to a Jeep for the US, developed and built together with Land Rover. Stellantis needs […]

Kia Belux launches two AWD versions of the EV5 SUV

May 25, 2026

Kia Belux is expanding its EV5 lineup with two new versions, both four-wheel-drive. These top versions were developed to meet customer demand for greater performance and versatility. This means a second motor is installed in the rear, increasing the total power output to 195 kW (265 hp) and torque to 385 Nm for the base […]

Filosa’s fix for Stellantis: Opel and Citroën step back, USA steps up

May 22, 2026

Stellantis unveiled a €60 billion five-year strategy at its Investor Day in Auburn Hills yesterday. The plan bets heavily on North America, demotes European brands Opel and Citroën, and leans on Chinese manufacturing partners to fill underutilized factory capacity. The markets were not convinced: the stock dropped more than 6%. After posting a net loss […]

The point of no return: EV adoption in Europe and China can no longer be undone

May 21, 2026

New research in the magazine Nature Communications identifies what climate scientists call a “cascading positive tipping point” in certain EV markets. Europe and China are now past a decisive threshold. Their shift away from combustion-engined cars has become self-propelling. A research team at the University of Exeter has published what may be one of the […]

Mercedes-AMG’s new fully electric GT4-Door Coupé makes noise

May 21, 2026

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the all-electric ‘GT 4-Door Coupé ‘with up to 860 kW of output and a peak charging capacity of more than 600 kW. Orders for the high-performance model will open in the coming days, initially with the GT 63 and GT 55 powertrain variants. And for sports car lovers who are missing the […]

BMW Motorrad Vision K18, BMW’s new ‘vision bike’

May 20, 2026

BMW Motorrad has presented the Vision K18, a vision bike that is designed to offer “a confident outlook on a new expression of performance, luxury and dynamism”. The Vision bike has been unveiled to the public for the first time at the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como. “Conceived as a one-off vision […]

Xiaomi teases Audi and Porsche again with Nürburgring SUV record

May 20, 2026

Xiaomi has upset the Germans once again in their own backyard. The Xiaomi YU7 GT, which is set to be officially announced tomorrow, has broken the SUV record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. With its 7:34.931 lap time, it left the Audi RS Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé in the dust. After setting […]

Jaecoo 8: flagship plug-in hybrid SUV lands in Belgium (update)

May 20, 2026

Omoda & Jaecoo has officially confirmed that its seven-seater SUV, the 8 SHS-P, is now available in Belgium, starting at €54,900. The brand’s largest and most premium model brings a 134 km WLTP electric range, and a level of cabin technology that aims to put considerable pressure on established European rivals in the same price […]

Electra undercuts home rates for fast charging – but not always and not everywhere

May 20, 2026

The French charging point operator (CPO) Electra is the first major player in Belgium to tie public charging costs to time-of-use logic. This means that off-peak rates will be offered that are lower than the average Belgian household electricity tariff. This scheme provides a new windfall for environments where charging is constrained by practical caveats, […]

Skoda Epiq is VW Group’s third compact EV offering

May 20, 2026

Following the Volkswagen ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval, the Volkswagen Group is introducing the Skoda Epiq as the third model in its new family of electric small cars. Prices are set to start at €26,290 in Belgium, but most likely only more expensive models will be available initially, starting with a ‘First Edition’. The […]

EV adoption: emerging markets overtake established leaders

May 20, 2026

According to new data from the International Council on Clean Transportation ICCT, zero- and low-emission architectures accounted for a quarter of all global light-duty vehicle sales in 2025. While established markets show significant variation, emerging economies — particularly in Southeast Asia — are rapidly accelerating the e-mobility transition. The global electrification of light-duty vehicles, combining […]

New Hyundai Mobis electric powertrain designed for competitors too 

May 19, 2026

Hyundai’s supplier unit, Hyundai Mobis, has unveiled a new generation of electric powertrain. It’s a modular system that integrates a motor, inverter, and reduction gearbox into a single compact unit. The driveline is specifically designed to cut costs and boost time-to-market, and will also be made available for brands outside the Hyundai Group.  The PE […]

Germany starts new €3 billion ‘E-Auto Booster’ subsidy scheme

May 19, 2026

Germany has launched applications for its new electrified vehicle subsidy program. Backed by a €3 billion budget, the scheme aims to support around 800,000 battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders by 2029 through income-based grants of up to €6,000. Germany has officially opened applications for its new electric vehicle subsidy scheme after the program […]

Alpine confirms growth in 2026

May 19, 2026

After a triple-digit growth record in 2025, the Alpine brand continues to grow worldwide in 2026, recording a +54.7% increase in sales (3,246 vehicles) in Q1 2026. In particular, the brand continues to expand sales in Europe (+53.9%) with 3,096 units. This growth is strongly driven by the UK’s excellent performance (+1,595.2%), which confirms its […]

ZAS Hospital Group calls for ban on nighttime rides on shared e-scooters

May 19, 2026

The Antwerp-based ZAS Hospital Group is advocating a ban on shared e-scooters between midnight and 8 a.m., according to Gazet van Antwerpen. With this proposal, emergency services aim to halt the rise in accidents involving this mode of transportation. However well-intentioned it may be – and understandable given the frustration of emergency room doctors who […]

Stellantis to build affordable E-Car in Naples from 2028

May 19, 2026

Stellantis is gearing up for its E-Car project and has officially announced a family of small, affordable, all-electric vehicles for multiple group brands. Production has been assigned to its Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy, near Naples, with a 2028 start date.  For nearly a year, the E-Car has circulated as a concept: after a joint […]

Ford plans 5 new cars for Europe, made in Europe

May 19, 2026

Ford plans to introduce five entirely new passenger car models by the end of 2029, all manufactured in Europe for the European market. These include a fully electric compact car, a small electric SUV, and three models available with various powertrain options. Ford has provided further details about its European plans: before the end of […]

VW ID. Polo also comes as a GTI (Update)

May 19, 2026

Volkswagen is bringing the GTI into the electric era while drawing heavily on the badge’s heritage. A red stripe, tartan trim, and GTI mode meet 166 kW, an adaptive chassis, and a front-axle differential lock. The manufacturer will open pre-sales for the ID. Polo GTI in autumn at prices starting just below €39,000 in Germany. […]

Stellantis taps into China to build Peugeots and Jeeps for Europe

May 18, 2026

Faced with contracting market share and overcapacity, Stellantis is reconfiguring its global strategy by leaning heavily on its historic Chinese partner, Dongfeng. The two automotive groups have announced a strategic agreement to produce new electrified vehicles in China for export. It shows how Western legacy automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese manufacturing efficiencies. When Peugeot-Citroën […]

Will there soon be a single ticket for train travel in Europe?

May 18, 2026

If the European Commission has its way, there will be a single ticket for anyone wishing to travel by train across Europe. The measure, described as “a game-changer for rail travel” by European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, is intended to make cross-border travel on the continent easier. For international train travel, passengers […]

Vision BMW Alpina study hints at the future of BMW’s new sub-brand

May 18, 2026

Revealed at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Vision BMW Alpina is a design study that heralds a new chapter for a brand, now entirely under the BMW flag, defined by sophistication and the mastery of both performance and comfort. “Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and refinement, where speed […]

Humble Hauler challenges Einride’s grip on autonomous freight

May 18, 2026

For the past several years, discussions surrounding driverless, cab-less electric freight have been heavily dominated by a single European player: Sweden’s Einride. Now, a well-funded Californian challenger emerges. Humble proposes an alternative to Einride’s established ‘Pod’ architecture. Its arrival launches a new phase of competition in autonomous port and yard logistics. San Francisco-based start-up Humble […]

BMW changes guard as Zipse hands Neue Klasse challenge to Nedeljković

May 15, 2026

BMW has formally changed CEOs at its 106th Annual General Meeting in Munich, with Oliver Zipse handing over the chairmanship of the Board of Management to Milan Nedeljković on 14 May. The move, announced earlier, ends Zipse’s term on the board and closes a 35-year career at the Bavarian carmaker, seven of them as CEO. […]

Kia’s electric successor to the Stinger is entangled in a cost struggle

May 15, 2026

Kia is eager to revive the Stinger in electric guise. Not in the least to boost its emotional and design appeal, but also to diversify its electric portfolio beyond volume-selling SUVs. However, it seems that the high engineering costs for a dedicated performance EV are currently preventing a production greenlight. Kia is actively exploring a […]

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