February 16, 2026
Drunk drivers will now be punished in the same way throughout Belgium. Anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.8% will have their driver’s license suspended for 15 days on the spot. Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) has signed a circular letter to this effect, which takes effect immediately and […]
February 16, 2026
China’s car industry is facing a regulatory reset. After the fire-prone battery standards and the ban on retractable door handles, a new draft for safety rules published by the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) signals two remarkable backsteps: no more yoke-style steering wheels and no more screen-dominated dashboards. Could this ripple through […]
February 16, 2026
In early 2026, China’s luxury passenger car market reached a critical inflexion point as traditional European premium brands collectively adjusted pricing strategies amid continued sales erosion in the world’s largest auto market, according to the influential local website 36kr. Data from the 2025 calendar year showed that cumulative China sales for BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, and Audi […]
February 16, 2026
Stellantis has announced the return of diesel to several European compact cars, including the Peugeot 308, Opel Astra, and DS 4. The technology will also remain central to the group’s light commercial vehicle portfolio. The move is presented as a matter of market realism. After years of forceful electrification messaging, the signal is unmistakable: consumer […]
February 16, 2026
Following its brand activation in early January 2026, BMW Alpina is presenting itself as an exclusive new brand under the BMW Group’s custodianship. “The brand embodies an exceptional balance of supreme ride comfort and high performance,” says the press release. “The new badge design complements the recently revealed wordmark, collectively defining the brand’s contemporary iconography.” […]
February 13, 2026
As of today, Brussels Airlines has two Tintin aircraft in service, though this will be temporary. The airline is introducing a new themed aircraft based entirely on the characters from the famous comic series by artist Hergé. The first Tintin aircraft, which was also Brussels Airlines’ very first themed aircraft in 2015, will be removed […]
February 13, 2026
The climate is no longer the US government’s problem. On Thursday, the Trump administration rolled back the mechanism allowing the government to regulate planet-heating pollution. Trump says he believes climate change is a hoax, and has withdrawn the United States from global efforts to combat it. President Trump officially disavowed scientific research that labels CO2 […]
February 13, 2026
Waymo has begun operating its latest autonomous driving system on public roads without safety drivers. In the long contest to commercialise robotaxis, the company moves one step ahead of its rivals. With a cheaper hardware stack, a planned 50,000-vehicle supply deal with Hyundai, and ambitions to exceed one million paid rides per week, this subsidiary […]
February 13, 2026
Toyota has unveiled the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, aimed first at the US market and marking a significant moment for the Japanese automaker: one of its core global nameplates is transitioning from hybrid and combustion power to full battery electric. The move signals not a sudden ideological conversion to electric mobility, but a carefully calculated […]
February 13, 2026
Fresh registration data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI), the UK-based market intelligence firm tracking the global EV, battery, and critical minerals supply chains, show worldwide EV registrations (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid combined) fell 3% year-on-year in January to just under 1.2 million units. The decline was driven by a sharp reversal in China and a […]
February 13, 2026
Toyota has overtaken Volkswagen in battery-electric car sales in China. A symbolic passing of the crown in the world’s largest car market that underlines the growing pressure on Europe’s biggest automaker. The reversal comes as Volkswagen has slipped to third place overall in China, ceding ground to domestic rivals and exposing the limits of its […]
February 13, 2026
The European Commission has exempted Volkswagen’s Cupra brand from additional tariffs on its China-built Tavascan. Cupra is the first automaker to secure approval under the EU’s price floor mechanism for Chinese-made battery electric vehicles. In detail, the decision removes a 20.7 percent anti-subsidy duty that had been applied on top of the bloc’s standard 10 […]
February 12, 2026
German premium car manufacturer BMW is recalling some 575,000 cars worldwide to replace the starter motor, which can fail to function or, in rare cases, overheat and catch fire. Models of concern are found throughout the BMW portfolio: the 2-Series coupe, 3-, 4-, and 5-Series, the 6-Series Gran Turismo and the 7-Series, the X4, X5, […]
February 12, 2026
One in five Walloons is unaware of the minimum medical standards required to drive a vehicle. This is according to a survey by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR). The agency is using the results to launch a campaign on fitness to drive based on health, an essential but often overlooked aspect of road safety. […]
February 12, 2026
The company car is becoming the new bull’s eye in left-wing circles. After Groen’s train-for-car proposal, Belgium’s governing socialist party, Vooruit, wants to restrict tax breaks for company cars to vehicles largely produced in Europe. Protection or posturing? Interesting twist: including their batteries. But above all, these parties would rather abolish the system that has […]
February 12, 2026
Failed investments in money-losing electric vehicles and a late-year disruption of aluminum supplies for F-Series pickups drove Ford Motor Co. to an $11.1 billion (€9.3 billion) net loss in the fourth quarter, resulting in the automaker’s worst financial performance since 2008. Fourth-quarter revenue declined 5 % to $45 billion, and adjusted earnings before interest and […]
February 12, 2026
After presenting it in China, BYD is planning to launch the Atto 3 Evo in Europe in spring 2026. It won’t be a routine facelift as the ‘Evo’ badge – short for evolution – signals a deeper technical reset for one of the brand’s most important European models. The compact SUV moves to an 800-volt […]
February 11, 2026
Windrose, the Chinese electric truck start-up with production plans in the Port of Antwerp, is looking to innovate in the AI sector with containerized data centers and battery backup systems. Founder & CEO Wen Han took to LinkedIn to float the idea… using AI artwork and very little concrete data. Windrose has faced many hurdles […]
February 11, 2026
The demolition permit for two cooling towers at the nuclear power plant in Tihange, near Huy in the province of Liège, has been suspended following an appeal. Operator Engie wants to proceed quickly with the dismantling. Still, the federal government and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR) are reluctant to allow it because they want to […]
February 11, 2026
Tesla has updated its official Semi website with the final specifications of the electric heavy-duty truck. Over three years after the first customer deliveries of pre-series trucks, it seems that the Semi is finally nearly ready for series production in Nevada in H1 2026. As is often the case with Tesla, the Semi is entering […]
February 11, 2026
On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved, by a large majority, the European Union’s new climate target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared with 1990 levels by 2040 – 413 Members of Parliament voted in favour, 226 against. The new target still needs to be endorsed by EU countries, which is expected for March […]
February 11, 2026
Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew will walk out tomorrow due to a wage dispute and working conditions. The strike will affect all Lufthansa flights and those operated by its cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo, departing from Germany. The exact extent of the cancellations is still unclear, but passengers should expect flight cancellations and delays in any […]
February 11, 2026
The smallest Mercedes model, the A-Class, was actually supposed to be discontinued under Mercedes’ new entry-segment model strategy, with the electric CLA serving as the gateway to the Mercedes world. Now, Mercedes development board member Jörg Burzer has confirmed a new A-Class, which is planned for 2028. In 2023, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius announced four […]
February 11, 2026
Solid-state batteries are becoming less of a hype and more of a reality. One of the main actors in the pioneering technology, QuantumScape, launched its battery pilot line. A milestone in setting up and scaling production is widely regarded as the biggest hurdle for this heralded technology. The promise is finally becoming a product. And […]
February 10, 2026
In an extensive reaction to the EU Commission’s watering down of the 2035 environmental targets for mobility and transport, the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) urgently warns that Europe risks falling even further behind on EVs compared to global competition. “If the EU automotive industry doesn’t transform fast, it will lose its international competition, with […]
February 10, 2026
Belgium’s network of fast chargers for electric cars is expanding rapidly, and one brand is increasingly common on supermarket car parks and along busy roads: Electra. After a year of strong growth in 2025, the European charging operator, which originated in France in 2021, says it has strengthened its position as Belgium’s leading ultra-fast charging […]
February 10, 2026
Belgium’s greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO2, have been falling for over twenty years, but in 2024, they stopped declining and even increased slightly again (about +0.2%) compared with 2023. Although long-term emissions are declining, projections indicate that current plans are not on track to meet EU or national targets for 2030. The rebound is mainly […]
February 10, 2026
BYD intends to localize production of its compact electric SUV, the Atto 2, in Hungary. This should reduce its retail price by several thousand euros compared to the lots built in China, avoiding import fines. However, the Hungarian site itself is facing regulatory scrutiny from Brussels over alleged state subsidies. BYD is betting that European […]
February 10, 2026
The frequent use of a new flight path has meant that 450,000 Brussels residents in the municipalities of Koekelberg, Schaerbeek, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean have been subjected to intensive overflights since the summer. The Mayors concerned had an initial, disappointing meeting on the issue with Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés). However, the latter has since […]
February 10, 2026
Skoda has released the first technical details of its fully electric Epiq, which the brand will unveil in the first half of 2026. The compact electric vehicle will be offered by Skoda in three variants, with power outputs ranging from 85 to 155 kW. The new Skoda Epiq will be available with two versions of […]
February 10, 2026
Ferrari’s decision to call its first fully electric production car Luce is more than a naming exercise. It is a statement of intent. Luce, Italian for ‘light’, deliberately evokes clarity, precision, and optimism rather than brute force or technological spectacle. For a brand whose mythology has long been built around sound, combustion, and mechanical drama, […]
February 09, 2026
Mobility organization Touring has never been a fervent supporter of low-emission zones (LEZ). While in Flanders, for example, a coalition of environmental associations has gone to the Council of State to challenge the freezing of LEZ in Antwerp and Ghent, Touring says that the freezing of LEZ is a good thing in the long run. […]
February 09, 2026
The world’s largest automaker, Toyota, appoints a new CEO: Current CFO Kenta Kon will take over from Koji Sato, who will join the board of directors. The personnel changes will take effect on April 1, 2026. The 57-year-old Kenta Kon has been with the Toyota Group since 1991. He built his career in the finance […]
February 09, 2026
The European dream of a battery production powerhouse lies in smithereens after Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, confirmed it is abandoning two of its flagship factory projects in Italy and Germany. What was once hailed as the continent’s ‘Airbus of batteries’ now hinges on a single plant in […]
February 09, 2026
Flemish families who purchase a heat pump can count on a subsidy of up to 8,000 euros. They can also take out a low-interest or, in some cases, interest-free renovation loan to purchase a heat pump. Because electricity is now four times as expensive as gas, the Flemish government will also implement an energy tax […]
February 09, 2026
BMW Group has entered into a strategic partnership with circular-economy specialist PreZero to develop a scalable approach to vehicle recycling across Europe. The cooperation aims to turn end-of-life vehicles from a regulatory obligation into a structural source of high-quality secondary raw materials. For Belgium, where end-of-life vehicle management is centrally organised through Febelauto, the initiative highlights […]
February 09, 2026
Stellantis is recording extensive charges of approximately €22.2 billion, largely related to its electric vehicle business. According to the new strategy outlined by CEO Antonio Filosa, the company aims to become a ‘beacon of freedom of choice’ by offering more internal-combustion and hybrid vehicles. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has been working since his appointment in […]
February 09, 2026
China’s Changan Automobile and battery giant CATL have unveiled what they claim is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries. It’s a major step for a technology that has long been seen as a lower-cost, safer alternative to lithium-based systems. The car, a variant of Changan’s Nevo A06 sedan, contains a 45 […]
February 06, 2026
Amid rising concern about global heating and soaring energy costs, the state of Michigan has sued major oil companies, alleging that they colluded to hamper the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). Michigan’s case specifically targets BP, Shell, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil, as well as the largest US oil lobby group, the American […]
February 06, 2026
A Chinese man’s daily driving habit has unexpectedly turned into a peculiar experiment in electric vehicle durability. So put away your established assumptions about battery lifespan under scrutiny. Mr. Feng, the proud owner of a Xiaomi SU7 Pro, has driven over 265,000 kilometers in just 18 months, and his car’s battery still retains 94.5% of […]
February 06, 2026
The Belgian public transport operator De Lijn explored replacing paper timetables at bus stops with digital alternatives but ultimately decided to retain paper schedules after a pilot project showed significant limitations. Lijn has approximately 27,000 bus and tram stops in Flanders, most of which display paper timetables. These must be replaced regularly, at a cost of […]
February 06, 2026
Volvo Cars has reported one of the most bruising financial years in its modern history. The company has suffered a collapse in earnings, a stinging share price crash, and mounting doubts about its electric future. Navigating a worsening global auto market has been particularly difficult, according to its CEO, but the failing EX90 also took […]
February 06, 2026
Europe’s two largest carmakers, Volkswagen and Stellantis, are no longer asking Brussels for protection against growing Chinese competition. They are pushing for a structural rewrite of how Europe’s environmental rules interact with industrial competitiveness. In a joint opinion piece published in Les Echos and Il Sole 24 Ore, two leading business dailies in France and […]
February 06, 2026
Stellantis, the mother company to Peugeot, is facing severe production setbacks on several of its electric vehicle models after one of its key battery factories failed to scale up output. The crisis centers on Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the much-celebrated European venture from the group’s cooperation with Mercedes and Total. Cell production struggles have left […]
February 06, 2026
XPeng has lifted the veil in China on its most ambitious SUV yet: the XPeng GX, a large flagship crossover widely expected to reach Europe from 2027 as the brand expands its presence in the large premium SUV segment. Positioned at the top of XPeng’s lineup, the GX is designed from the ground up around […]
February 05, 2026
BMW’s ‘mother plant’ in Munich has now started producing the first pre-series vehicles of the upcoming BMW i3. This marks the beginning of the final preparation phase for the start of series production of the electric sedan in the 3 Series format in the second half of 2026. The new production lines at BMW’s Munich […]
February 05, 2026
Women in Iran can now officially obtain a scooter or motorcycle license, the Iranian news agency Ilna announced on Wednesday. Until now, women were not prohibited from riding motorcycles. Car licenses have long been allowed for women in Iran, yet motorcycle licenses were a real taboo, remaining an officially male-only ‘privilege.’ They were already riding […]
February 05, 2026
Ford Motor and China’s Geely Group are said to be in early talks about sharing European manufacturing capacity, allowing Geely to assemble vehicles at under-utilized Ford plants in Europe, rather than on a full joint venture or merger of operations. While neither company has confirmed details publicly, several media outlets, including Reuters, have reported negotiations, […]
February 05, 2026
Six out of ten Brussels residents have given up their cars and switched to car sharing, according to a study by Brussels Mobility. Car sharing is no longer a marginal phenomenon, but is gradually becoming an essential tool for reducing the number of cars in the city, including for families. Brussels has the highest density of […]
February 05, 2026
Avatr, a still largely unknown Chinese EV brand in Europe and part of the Changan group, has sent a clear signal that it is no longer designing cars solely for its domestic market. On February 5, the brand released official images of the Avatr 06T, a low, sleek station wagon that immediately stands out in […]
February 04, 2026
Ford Pro has secured its place as the European light commercial vehicle market leader for the 11th consecutive year. The Transit Custom van and Ranger pick-up continue to perform well, including their plug-in hybrid variants. In Belgium, the vans are even selling more than Ford’s passenger cars. Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle department of the […]
February 04, 2026
For Europe, robotaxis still mostly exist as pilots, policy papers, and cautious political debate. In the United States and China, they already carry paying passengers at scale. That contrast is what gives Waymo’s decision to raise a fresh 16 billion dollars at a valuation above 120 billion its real significance. The funding round is not […]
February 04, 2026
In northern Antwerp, energy provider Fluvius has begun construction of Flanders largest heating network to date. Residual heat from the waste-processing company Indaver will be used from the end of this year to heat about 3,800 social housing units, eight schools, and a municipal workshop in the Luchtbal (Antwerp) and Rozemaai (Ekeren) neighborhoods. Such a […]
February 04, 2026
Fast-charging operator Fastned has opened a new chapter in its long-running retail bond programme. The Amsterdam-based company launches a new five-year bond issue, aiming to raise up to €100 million to finance further network expansion and refinance existing debt. The new bonds, issued under Fastned’s existing bond programme, carry a fixed annual interest rate of […]
February 04, 2026
Renault could offer its next-generation electric cars with a new ‘super hybrid’ powertrain that uses a small petrol engine to boost range. Renault’s VP for Product Performance, Bruno Vanel, said the change in approach is a recognition that the company “has to remain flexible in the C- and D-segment” because, while it is working towards […]
February 04, 2026
The mobility budget is becoming increasingly popular. In one year, the number of companies offering their employees a mobility budget has increased by a third. In 2024, 3.4% of all employers offered it; today, 4.5% do, according to new figures from HR service provider Acerta. What is a ‘mobility budget’? Employees who are entitled to a […]
February 04, 2026
Porsche has officially begun production of the all-electric Cayenne, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s electrification strategy at a moment when its future electric sports cars appear increasingly uncertain. While the Cayenne Electric is moving from concept to reality, persistent reports suggest Porsche may be reconsidering—if not outright abandoning—plans for electric versions of the […]
February 04, 2026
From 2027 onward, the Chinese government will prohibit the registration of new cars with fully retractable door handles and electric unlocking systems, while existing models will be subject to a transitional arrangement. The Chinese ban is likely to have global repercussions. A potential ban has been discussed for months; now it has been decided. The […]
February 04, 2026
MG has unveiled the MG4 Urban EV in the UK. The model shares its name with the current MG4 but introduces a completely new approach and replaces its base version. With a softer design and lower prices, it’s designed to woo customers considering entry-level battery-powered car models, yet it packs remarkable tech underneath. Although the […]
February 04, 2026
Belgian retailer Colruyt will start a pilot project next month to have self-driving vans deliver groceries in Leuven. The project is an extension of Colruyt’s ‘Collect&Go’ service, which allows customers to order groceries online and pick them up at a Colruyt supermarket at their convenience. Colruyt primarily delivers to homes in and around major cities, […]
