June 20, 2024
Elia, the Belgian high-voltage grid operator, has awarded three contracts worth almost 1.5 billion euros to construct the High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) infrastructure of Princess Elisabeth Island, an artificial energy island of 3.5 gigawatts located approximately 45 kilometers off the Belgian coast. The infrastructure will bundle 2.1 gigawatts of wind energy and bring it […]
June 20, 2024
According to the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA) data, car registrations in the European Union decreased by 3% in May 2024. Declines were observed in three out of the region’s four major markets: Italy (-6.6%), Germany (-4.3%), and France (-2.9%). Spain, on the other hand, achieved a modest growth of 3.4% last month. Despite the […]
June 19, 2024
“Modernity, presence, and sporting flair reach new levels: the best-seller embarks on a new era,” says BMW at the launch of the renewed best-seller X3. The new range won’t have a full-electric version, as this iX3 successor will be the first product of the “Neue Klasse”, launched next year. But there’s an improved PHEV version. […]
June 19, 2024
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in a US Senate hearing on the quality of Boeing production and apologized for the grief that Boeing has caused. At the same time, he added that progress has since been made. Behind the top man were relatives of people killed in Boeing aircraft […]
June 19, 2024
Polestar is gearing up to expand its retail operations, targeting seven new markets in 2025, including a return to France, where Citroën kicked it out. As the company’s model line-up grows, the conquest of new markets aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities. In 2025, Polestar plans to accelerate its geographic expansion by entering seven new […]
June 19, 2024
On Tuesday, the Flemish and Belgian governments signed energy agreements with Norway to bring Norwegian wind energy to Belgium and store CO2 from Belgian industry in Norway. Princess Astrid of Belgium leads a Belgian delegation to discuss energy transition, circular economy, life sciences, and design. The joint statement on energy cooperation in the North Sea […]
June 19, 2024
Kia is preparing to launch its new, cost-effective EV4, slated for next year. The car has already been unveiled as a concept, and final testing versions popping up in South Korean videos hint at how the production version sticks closely to the ‘wild’ form factor of the show car. As anticipation builds for the official […]
June 19, 2024
Suppose you’re willing to pay €120 to €160 and not weigh nearly 100 kg. In that case, you can be one of the first to experience pure electric flying between the airports of Liege (Belgium), Maastricht (Netherlands), and Aachen (Germany) as a passenger in a Pipistrel Velis Electro, currently the only EASA-certified electric aircraft. The […]
June 19, 2024
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ferrari’s first electric car will cost at least €500,000. The luxury automaker is preparing to open a plant to make the model, which could boost group production by up to a third in the long run. The exclusive Italian brand has said it will launch an […]
June 18, 2024
The Ostend-Bruges airport will soon have the largest solar park in West Flanders and the second-largest park in Belgium. The 66,200 solar panels on the site, covering a total area of about 303,864 m2, the equivalent of 61 football fields, will produce almost 37,000 MWh of annual energy – much more than the airport can […]
June 18, 2024
Like several of its Stellantis counterparts, Jeep is also working on an affordable battery-electric model to target younger people and private customers in North America and Europe. This new model will be the next-generation Renegade, expected by 2027, with a sub-$25,000 price tag for the electric version. Like Fiat and Citroën, which recently unveiled their […]
June 18, 2024
The first French-built Mercedes eCitaro electric city bus rolled off the Ligny-en-Barrois production line in France after the model was initially only built in Mannheim, Germany. Daimler Truck has confirmed its dedication to the French plant with a €50 million investment between now and 2030. Until now, the Ligny-en-Barrois production facility in Lorraine, France, exclusively […]
June 18, 2024
Audi is following the slipstream of the recently facelifted Porsche Taycan and unveiling an updated version of its all-electric sports car, the E-Tron GT. The new version boasts enhanced range, sharper performance, and faster charging capabilities to align with the advancements seen in its Porsche Taycan counterpart. The E-Tron GT was introduced in 2021 as […]
June 18, 2024
Fiat has officially revealed the fourth-generation Fiat Panda, aptly named the Grande Panda. It ventures back into European showrooms with a blending style of off-road and retro borrowed from the concept car from earlier this year. Obviously, the latest iteration boasts an entirely new look and will offer electric powertrain options and a mild hybrid. […]
June 18, 2024
The writing on the wall said that a miracle was needed to save Danish designer Henrik Fisker’s American-based electric car start-up. According to Reuters, talks on new investments with a non-disclosed ‘major car manufacturer’ finally failed, and Fisker Group officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on June 17. Things had been looking bleak […]
June 18, 2024
Infrabel has pushed a new bicycle and pedestrian tunnel under the Leuven-Aarschot-Hasselt railway line in Langdorp. Final work on the tunnel still needs to be finished, but cyclists and pedestrians will be able to use it by the end of this year. This weekend, the tunnel was moved into place using a unique sliding system, […]
June 18, 2024
Lancia’s unexpected European comeback starts in Belgium and Luxembourg, where the famous Italian brand strategically relaunched itself in six dealerships. This marks the beginning of the brand’s ambitious ten-year plan, which aims to re-establish the brand in the European premium segment. The opening of six new showrooms took place over the weekend. The newly opened […]
June 17, 2024
The SNCF will increase the supply of seats on the TGV or HST by 15% in France and 10% internationally over the next ten years. Thanks to an increase in Ouigo’s low-cost trains, the expansion of that offer is possible. The SNCF in France is under strong pressure because different companies will launch regional high-speed […]
June 17, 2024
The first new electric buses ordered by Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB from German manufacturer Daimler Buses will be in service from July. This is reported by the newspapers La Capital and Le Soir. A total of 106 e-buses are involved. With this order, MIVB/STIB intends to replace its diesel models under the Euro-5 and […]
June 17, 2024
A new showroom for exclusive vehicles was inaugurated last weekend in the industrial zone in Heusden-Zolder, in Limburg (Belgium). Numerous models of Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin, among others, are on display. However, they’re not real cars but electric children’s vehicles. The target group is children between three and eight years old. With […]
June 15, 2024
Chinese car manufacturer Nio has revealed the EL8, a new luxury SUV for Europe. The large SUV seats six, has a range of 500+ km, and will cost approximately €80,000 if nothing changes tax-wise. It will first be offered in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. According to the manufacturer, the EL8 will have […]
June 14, 2024
One year after Bpost put its thousandth electric delivery van into use, the Belgian postal company surpassed the 2,000 electric vehicle mark. This means that Bpost has doubled its fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles in just one year. These figures underline the company’s commitment to further reducing emissions and delivering CO2-free mail and parcels throughout […]
June 14, 2024
A new electric sedan from China, the Xpeng Mona 03, debuted online on 11 June. It is the first EV resulting from the collaboration between Xpeng Motors and ride-hailing service provider Didi. Xpeng Motors hasn’t revealed the M03’s specifications yet, but according to a report from Autohome, the new electric sedan should deliver a range […]
June 14, 2024
Petrochemical analysis samples can now be transported by drone from the Antwerp port area to a laboratory. The innovative project by SGS, German chemical giant BASF, and ADLC was launched to make port operations more efficient and reduce the environmental impact of transporting analysis samples. According to SGS, a Swiss multinational specializing in inspections and […]
June 14, 2024
The Chinese car manufacturer Chery confirmed that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will use its M3X and E0X modular platforms for future battery-electric and plug-in cars, which will probably be sold mainly in China. To that end, JLR has signed a strategic agreement with Chery brand Exeed. JLR, owned by Indian Tata Motors, will use two […]
June 14, 2024
A majority of Tesla shareholders voted Thursday in Austin (Texas) to ratify CEO Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package worth $56 billion in stock after a Delaware judge rescinded that in January. They also approved moving Tesla’s incorporation site from Delaware to Texas, home to the automaker’s largest US factory. A move initiated in reply to […]
June 14, 2024
The EU Commission revealed on Wednesday the rate of the ‘intended’ extra taxes on imported Chinese EVs, ranging from 17.4 to 38.1% on top of the existing 10% import duties on all cars today. China, meanwhile, accuses the EU of intended protectionism and warns “not to go the wrong way.” It threatens to open a […]
June 14, 2024
Alpine, Renault’s performance brand, has officially entered the electric era by launching the A290, an electric hot hatch emphasizing performance, agility, and lightness. The new model marks a significant departure from Alpine’s traditional line-up and is set to debut later this year. The A290 is heavily inspired by last year’s Beta concept, bringing a bold […]
June 14, 2024
Mercedes-Benz is accelerating its electric vehicle infrastructure plans with a new deployment of cutting-edge charging technology from supplier Alpitronic. The German carmaker already collaborates with the provider for its branded high power charging (HPC) network, but the announced charging points offer up to 400 kW peak power. Alpitronic is Mercedes’ partner for the rollout of […]
June 14, 2024
The Walloon public transport company TEC transported more than 150 million passengers last year. As far as passenger numbers are concerned, they are back to the level before the COVID-19 health crisis. At the same time, TEC’s turnover increased by 22% compared to 2022, to 122 million euros. In doing so, it surpassed 2019 for […]
June 13, 2024
The listed group Warehouses De Pauw (WDP) plans to build a battery park in the Genk-Zuid industrial zone. The investment can amount to 50 to 80 million euros. The company aims for 2028 for commissioning. The project should help balance the power grid now that more energy is generated with solar panels and wind turbines. […]
June 13, 2024
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects an ‘unprecedented’ oil surplus of 8 million barrels daily by 2030. According to the Agency’s latest report, oil demand worldwide will slow down, driven by the energy transition. Several aspects, including the increasing number of electric cars, better fuel efficiency in cars with combustion engines, and decreasing use of […]
June 13, 2024
With the stalemate between the liberal MR party and Groen, the two big winners in the French and Dutch language groups in Brussels of the national elections, it looks like the Good Move mobility plan will become the topic of the municipal elections in October. MR president Georges-Louis Bouchez is determined that Good Move must […]
June 12, 2024
As well as being a part of Milence, the joint venture between the major truck manufacturers for public charging solutions, Scania has established Erinion, a charging solutions company for depot and destination charging. It aims to install 40,000 new charging points at customer locations by 2030. According to Scania, depot charging will be the primary […]
June 12, 2024
Through its Energy Transition Fund, Zeevonk, a joint venture of Swedish multinational power company Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), has been awarded a permit to build wind farm IJmuiden Ver Beta in the Netherlands. Both major offshore wind developers – Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners – have a strong track record in developing, constructing, […]
June 12, 2024
At Brussels Airport, the new building of Safran Aircraft Engine Services, a French aircraft engine maintenance company, has been officially inaugurated. The building, which cost 24 million euros to build, measures 8,500 m² and is carbon-neutral thanks to its use of 100% renewable energy. By 2027, the site will employ 220 new workers. The new […]
June 12, 2024
Chinese Gotion High Tech, one of the ten leading global players in battery technology with sites in the USA, Japan, Germany, and Singapore, has signed an investment agreement with the Moroccan government to build North Africa’s first EV battery gigafactory. The Kenitra city project will cost 1.3 billion US dollars (12.8 dirhams). The first phase […]
June 12, 2024
The electric counterpart of the subcompact Hyundai Casper gets its own name in Europe: Inster. This competitor to the Dacia Spring and Citroën ë-C3 will debut later this month and have a range of 355 km. The rumors are true: Hyundai is preparing an all-electric version of its A-segment crossover Casper, which has been on […]
June 12, 2024
Toyota has finished production of the first ten prototypes of the fuel-cell electric Hilux pickup at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMUK) in the UK. It was developed with the help of Toyota Europe in Brussels, and now the Japanese carmaker has lifted the veil on its final specs. It uses core elements from the Toyota Mirai, […]
June 12, 2024
After news broke on Tuesday that the take-over of Belgian bus maker Van Hool in Koningshooikt (Lier) by its Dutch competitor VDL Group was finalized on Friday last week, VDL now specified its plans. That means only retaining spare part manufacturing, aftersales, intake, development, and finances, providing jobs for 250 people in Belgium. Before, 300 […]
June 11, 2024
According to Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), air pollution can be linked to about 135 million premature deaths between 1980 and 2020. This is according to a study published in the journal Environment International. These deaths would be caused by airborne PM2.5, particulate matter from vehicles, industrial emissions, and natural sources such as fires or […]
June 11, 2024
According to The Times, Volvo is investigating plans to shift some of its manufacturing output from China to Ghent in response to the upcoming new import tariffs from the EU. The ramp-up to build units of the EX30 in Belgium would be accelerated, while reportedly, the EX90 is also named for a production move. The […]
June 11, 2024
South Korean carmaker Hyundai is said to have electrified its unusually-looking MPV. In addition to a recent hybrid version in its local market, the Staria should get an electric version. The future Staria EV is said to be built in Europe and should be on the market in 2026. This move from Hyundai is justified […]
June 11, 2024
Maritime contractor Jan De Nul is partnering with Australian Fortescue, a mining company and producer of green energy, to lay a 1,000 km long submarine cable between Morocco and Europe and transport renewable energy generated in North Africa to Europe. A high-voltage cable between the two continents would enable Europe to tap directly into that […]
June 11, 2024
D’Ieteren Automotive, the Belgian importer of all VW brands, received the green light from the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) for the takeover of the Porsche Centre East-Flanders in Sint-Martens-Latem. With that, it owns seven of the nine Porsche dealerships in Belgium. However, conditions apply to ensure fair competition. The BCA investigation showed ‘serious doubts’ about […]
June 10, 2024
According to the latest edition of International Energy Agency’s annual World Energy Investment report, global investment in clean energy is set to reach almost double the amount going to fossil fuels in 2024, despite pressures on financing. Total energy investment worldwide is expected to exceed $3 trillion in 2024 for the first time, with some […]
June 10, 2024
Dutch Technical University TUDelft students claim the world’s first prototype of a hyperloop pod changing lanes at high speed. They built a 42-meter reduced-sized test track at the university campus for their Helios III pod. A key innovation is a functional lane switch, including a curved branch and a straight section for braking. Theoretically, a […]
June 10, 2024
According to a new study by Vias Institute, failure to correctly give the right of way is involved in one in three serious cycling accidents in Flanders. Responsibility for the accident lies as often with the cyclist as with the other road user. And two-thirds of accidents are largely due to human error. Still, according […]
June 10, 2024
As the curtain falls on the second-generation Peugeot 3008, a massive hit for the French manufacturer so does the production of ICE-only models at its historic Sochaux production site. Only electric and (mild) hybrid models will be built from now on. To say the 3008 II was a success for Peugeot would be an understatement. […]
June 10, 2024
Citroën has announced a plan for the future to streamline its model line-up, focusing on Europe’s primary market segments. CEO Thierry Koskas confirmed in an interview with Autocar that the brand will prioritize the B- and C-segments, phasing out smaller and larger models. Citroën’s future range will start with the B-segment C3, including its electric […]
June 10, 2024
Last Sunday was election day in Belgium. Citizens had to vote for three (Flanders, Wallonia) or four (Brussels) different parliaments: European, federal, and regional (an additional one in Brussels). The respective mobility ministers saw different faiths. Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) has not been re-elected in the federal parliament. Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters […]
June 07, 2024
The BMW 1 Series is entering its fourth model generation. With a modestly altered design presence, a revised drive portfolio, and improved chassis technology, the new BMW 1 Series has sharpened its profile, but further electrifcation was clearly not a priority. Efficient ICE engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology are the closest the new car […]
June 07, 2024
The Manhattan congestion charge, planned for activation in late June this year, has been axed. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the “indefinite suspension” of the controversial charge, which was modeled after similar low-emission zones in London, Stockholm, and Singapore. “I’ve made a tough decision: implementing the traffic tax puts too much at risk […]
June 07, 2024
Solid-state battery developer Factorial Energy has delivered B-samples of its cells to Mercedes-Benz. The German company is now integrating these into modules and battery packs before extensively testing them. The American company has also publicized an energy density value for the first time: 391 Wh/kg. According to Factorial Energy, the B samples are solid-state battery […]
June 07, 2024
Van specialist Maxus is widening its passenger car offering in Belgium. After the Uniq6 and Mifa 9, the smaller sibling of the latter is launched. Seating seven persons with ample interior space, the model aims to be the modern Renault Espace. The Chinese version with a swappable battery isn’t imported. Showing its more compact dimensions […]
June 06, 2024
Ford’s European top executive, Martin Sander, is moving back to the Volkswagen Group, his former employer. The German car manufacturer announced that he will now oversee sales, marketing, and aftersales for the Volkswagen brand. Sander (57) moved from Audi to Ford in June 2022 as head of the US company’s Model E passenger car division […]
June 06, 2024
France’s national rail operator, SNCF, is going to get an extra competitor. Backed by an investment fund, the new company Proxima plans to acquire 12 high-speed trains by the decade’s end to link Paris with Angers, Rennes, Nantes, and Bordeaux. Rachel Picard, co-founder and chief executive of Proxima, is well-known in the railway world. Until […]
June 06, 2024
In full transition to a mobility provider, D’Ieteren is taking a pioneering step by introducing tele-driving on Belgian roads. Partnering with Ush, the driverless vehicle arm of the company, and Poppy, Benelux’s largest car-share provider, operations are scheduled for later this year. The service must boost the efficiency and customer experience of car sharing. Ush […]
June 06, 2024
After the bulky Chinese Hongqi E-HS9 super-SUV, Hedin Automotive, the Swedish multi-brand retailer active in the Belux, will now start to import the luxury sedan Hongqi EH7. According to the press release, the Chinese luxury brand’s fully electric D-segment sedan sets a new standard for range, performance, and roominess. The car offers a range of […]
June 06, 2024
Between 2015 and 2022, the number of reported bicycle thefts in the Brussels Region increased by more than 70%. This is according to a study by safe.brussels, the security management organization for the capital region. The rapidly increasing use of bicycles in the capital and region is undoubtedly making bicycles hip to thieves. 5,000 theft […]
