Suzuki buys space-tested battery tech to join solid-state race

March 09, 2026

As the race for solid-state battery technology heats up, Suzuki has gained access to two decades of development. The Japanese carmaker has acquired Kanadevia Corporation’s solid-state battery division. Their technology has already been tested aboard the International Space Station. Suzuki is a latecomer to the electric vehicle field but is stepping up its efforts. It […]

Will BYD’s megawatt charging make battery swapping obsolete?

March 09, 2026

Chinese EV giant BYD has stirred the electric mobility world with the unveiling of its new ‘flash charging’ technology, delivering up to 1.5 megawatts of power and allowing charging from roughly 10% to 70% in about five minutes, or charging times that approach those of refueling a gasoline car. The announcement has sparked a wave […]

ACEA pleads for a stronger EU automotive package

March 09, 2026

Against the backdrop of “intensifying global competition, fragile supply chains, and rising protectionism”, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Light-Duty Vehicle Board met last Thursday to assess the conditions required for Europe to maintain its global automotive leadership. “Europe risks losing its edge, both as an attractive place to invest and as an industrial location, […]

BMW completes winter tests for new i3

March 09, 2026

BMW has completed the final winter testing phase for the upcoming i3 ahead of its design premiere on 18 March. Prototypes of the second model in the Neue Klasse are currently undergoing extensive validation at BMW’s winter testing center in Arjeplog, Sweden. The latest tests no longer focus on functional checks or thermal management, which […]

VinFast unveils Rolls-Royce rival Lac Hong EV as EU ambitions cool

March 09, 2026

Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has unveiled two ultra-luxury electric vehicles — the Lac Hong 800S SUV and Lac Hong 900S sedan — at a time when the company is quietly scaling back its early ambitions in Europe. The new models, positioned at the top of a newly created Lac Hong luxury brand, mark a strategic […]

T&E: ‘Ferries in Europe emit more CO2 than 6.6 million cars’

March 06, 2026

Ferries in port cities like Barcelona, Dublin, and Naples are responsible for more toxic air pollution (sulphur oxide or SOx) than all the cars in those cities, a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows. Dublin is currently the most polluted port city in Europe for ferry air pollution, followed by Las Palmas and […]

TomTom enters new phase as founder and CEO Goddijn steps aside

March 06, 2026

Dutch navigation pioneer TomTom is entering a new chapter as co-founder and long-time chief executive Harold Goddijn prepares to step down after more than two decades at the helm of the company. The move marks the end of an era for a firm that once symbolised Europe’s consumer tech ambitions but has since reinvented itself […]

Dutch Railways makes a profit for the first time since 2019

March 06, 2026

Last year, Dutch Railways (NS) made a profit from passenger transport for the first time since 2019. The profit of 11 million euros is due to price increases for train tickets and season tickets, a slight increase in passenger numbers, and cost savings. Revenues from passenger transport rose by 7% to 3.36 billion euros. In […]

Thirty hectares of Van Hool industrial land put up for auction

March 06, 2026

The first plots of land belonging to the bankrupt bus manufacturer Van Hool in Koningshooikt, Lier, are up for sale. Interested parties can purchase 30 hectares of industrial land via the Biddit website. Bidding starts on June 8, with a starting price of 20 million euros. The question is whether there will be a single […]

Lotus’ first range-extender gears up for official launch in Eletre X

March 06, 2026

Lotus has unveiled further details of its first-ever plug-in hybrid platform. The technology makes its Chinese market debut in the Lotus For me (a rebranded Eletre built specifically for the local market) and will arrive in Europe later this year as the Eletre X. European customer deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter. The X […]

Hyperloop dream hits another wall as Dutch pioneer Hardt goes bankrupt

March 06, 2026

The bankruptcy of Dutch startup Hardt Hyperloop marks the latest setback for a technology that once promised to revolutionize long-distance travel at speeds approaching 1,200 kilometres per hour. The company, which emerged from a student team at Delft University of Technology, had been working on a futuristic transport system in which passenger capsules would travel […]

Bolt launches ‘women for women’ service in Brussels

March 06, 2026

Global mobility platform Bolt on Thursday announced the launch of its ‘Women for Women’ service in Brussels. The formula gives female users the option to book a taxi ride with female drivers, while female drivers can accept only female passengers. Users must book their ride at least 30 minutes in advance to ensure a match with […]

BYD’s next EV leap: 1,000-km Seal 08 and charging in five minutes

March 06, 2026

China’s EV giant BYD used its Technology Day on March 5 in Shenzhen to unveil a new generation of battery and charging technology while presenting several new models across its expanding brand portfolio. The headline debut was the Seal 08, a new flagship sedan for the BYD brand that illustrates the company’s push toward 1,000-kilometer […]

AutoScout24: Flanders drives Belgium’s premium used-car boom

March 05, 2026

According to the used car platform AutoScout24, the Belgian second-hand car market is highly regionally diverse. Flanders leads the way in the premium segment; in Brussels and Wallonia, the cars are older. The brands considered ‘premium’ include Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Lexus. The average premium price in Flanders is 34,700 euros, and 29,200 euros […]

From prototype to production line: Aptera’s solar EV is getting real

March 05, 2026

California-based startup Aptera Motors has completed the first vehicle built on its validation assembly line in Carlsbad. This brings the solar electric vehicle maker closer to right-sized production to meet its long-awaited first customer deliveries. Aptera now builds its vehicles in the way real car manufacturers do. Previously, every unit coming out of the Carlsbad […]

Continental reported a net loss for 2025

March 05, 2026

German automotive supplier Continental reported on Wednesday that sales declined and that a net loss was registered for the full year of 2025. In addition, the company anticipates a decrease in sales for fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2025, the company posted a net loss of €165 million, or €0.83 per share, compared with a profit […]

Cupra refreshes Born electric hatchback as competition intensifies

March 05, 2026

Cupra has unveiled a refreshed version of its electric hatchback, the Born, introducing updated styling, improved interior materials, and enhanced technology. The Spanish performance brand under the Volkswagen umbrella seeks to keep its first battery-electric model competitive in an increasingly crowded European EV market. The update represents a mid-cycle refresh rather than a full new […]

Elon Musk versus IG Metall union in Tesla Grünheide: 1-0

March 05, 2026

The works council elections at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Grünheide have delivered another blow to IG Metall. The independent list “Giga United” secured an outright majority. Union fighter Elon Musk, who ran a campaign against IG Metall, surfaces as the winner. The voting results leave little room for interpretation. Of the 37 seats on the new […]

EU unveils ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’

March 05, 2026

EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has unveiled the long-awaited ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’. With this industrial strategy, the EU Commission aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, and reduce the EU’s dependence on the USA and China. This will impact numerous sectors, including the automotive industry. Officially, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is presented as a […]

€2.50 diesel on Italian highways puts Europe on alert for fuel price surge

March 05, 2026

A spike in global oil markets is pushing diesel prices higher across Europe, with Italian motorway pumps reaching €2.50 per litre and Belgian retailers warning the surge is putting pressure on fuel supply margins. A dramatic illustration of how geopolitical shocks are quickly reaching European drivers and transport companies. Consumer group Codacons reported that diesel […]

Volvo’s EX60 off to a flying start as orders outpace expectations

March 05, 2026

Volvo has placed big bets on the EX60 before anyone has even driven one kilometer with it. The all-electric successor to the XC60 (its best-selling model ever) was always going to face intense scrutiny if buyers stayed away. Early evidence suggests the opposite is happening. During its first weeks on the market, the EX60 punched […]

Stellantis confirms Leapmotor B10 production in Zaragoza

March 04, 2026

Stellantis has confirmed that electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor will be produced at its Figueruelas plant near Zaragoza from the second half of 2026, marking a major step in the group’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global EV market. The announcement turns the Spanish plant into the first major Leapmotor production hub […]

Belgium plans military evacuation for citizens stranded in Gulf

March 04, 2026

Like most European countries, Belgium is also busy organizing the repatriation of Belgians stranded in the Middle East due to the military escalation in Iran. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) is working closely with Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA) to this end. There are currently almost 26,000 Belgians in the affected […]

45 Major road projects planned across Flanders in €1 billion mobility push

March 04, 2026

2026 will be the year of major roadworks in Flanders. Significant works are planned at 45 locations across Flanders, representing an investment of 1 billion euros – not including the Oosterweel project. The plans were announced last Tuesday by Annick De Ridder (N-V), Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works. Every year, work is planned to keep the […]

The BMW iX4 SUV Coupe is coming

March 04, 2026

The 2027 iX4 is set to join BMW’s electric vehicle lineup soon, bringing a new coupe SUV-like style to the family. Ahead of its debut, the 2027 BMW iX4 was spotted testing, giving us a first look at what to expect. BMW is overhauling its lineup with several new additions this year. After some of […]

BYD’s Great Tang shows China’s ambitions for megawatt charging EVs

March 04, 2026

Chinese carmaker BYD is preparing to unveil one of its most technologically ambitious vehicles to date. The new Great Tang, a full-size electric SUV positioned at the top of the company’s Dynasty lineup, combines luxury, performance, and experimental ultra-fast charging technology that could point to the next phase of electric mobility. The model is expected […]

Toyota and Stellantis may withdraw from Tesla CO₂ pool

March 04, 2026

Until now, the European CO₂ pool centered on Tesla has been a major conglomerate of automakers, including Ford, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Stellantis. However, for 2026, two major manufacturers, Toyota and Stellantis, may withdraw from this pool, two of Tesla’s largest financial contributors to this scheme. At the EU level, manufacturers can join so-called CO₂ […]

Are EREV trucks the way to quickly meet CO2 targets?

March 03, 2026

Germany-based development center FEV has published analysis results that show extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology could benefit the heavy truck segment. Not only in terms of CO2 emissions, but also in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO). According to FEV, the TCO of EREVs could be 33 percent lower than that of diesel trucks. […]

Antwerp to expand its car-free zone

March 03, 2026

In Antwerp, the city council has given the green light for expanding the car-free zone in the city center. With the ‘Via Sinjoor’, the new car-free route, the city wants to create a virtually car-free boulevard through the city center. The goal is to create a more attractive and safer city center. The city council […]

Belgian rail significantly increases fine for fare-dodging

March 03, 2026

Last year, the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB issued administrative fines totaling 32.5 million euros, almost 5 million more than in 2024. The increase comes almost exclusively from category 3 fines for fare-dodging, which account for almost all fines. In 2024, NMBS/SNCB issued 89,000 fines (+16,654), amounting to 32.5 million euros. The most fines were issued […]

VW’s two-track battery strategy: scaling lithium-Ion, betting on solid-state

March 03, 2026

It’s a delicate industrial balancing act. While car groups like Stellantis are reversing on their battery efforts, Volkswagen is simultaneously pouring capital into scaling up today’s lithium-ion battery assembly lines at Škoda, while pushing for solid-state. Despite the current headwinds, battery technology is still forging ahead. Years of clinical promise in the solid-state field seem […]

Belux car registrations down 7.7% in February, petrol gains share

March 03, 2026

According to data from the sector federation, Febiac, and the federal public service Mobility and Transport, 37,075 new cars were registered in February 2026, 7.7% fewer than in February 2025. For the first two months of 2026, the market shrinks by 13.2%. Once again, it’s the professional market that is entirely responsible for the regression. […]

T&E: ‘Made in Europe could cut EV battery cost gap by two-thirds’

March 03, 2026

According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), EV battery cells produced in the EU currently cost about $41-$43 per kilowatt-hour more than those made in China. For a typical 60 kWh family EV, that implies a gross cell cost disadvantage of roughly €2,000-€2,500 per vehicle. Yet the same T&E report delivers a […]

Volkswagen’s electric milestone: 2 million sales

March 03, 2026

Volkswagen’s two-millionth electric vehicle marks a turning point for Europe’s most storied automaker. However, the number is mostly a reminder that the real race has only just begun. There is a certain quiet satisfaction to be found in Lower Saxony these days. While upstart brands dominate headlines with brash promises and record-breaking charging times, Volkswagen […]

Canadian study shows e-trucks can save up to €100.000 per truck

March 02, 2026

A year-long study by Transport Canada and the PIT Group, part of the research organization FPInnovations, has compared the use and costs of an electric Class 8 heavy truck versus a diesel model in real-world operations. The conclusion? The cost benefits can be huge… but might not be relevant for Europe. The “Zero-Emission Trucking Testbed” […]

Flanders’ wood smoke paradox: rising emissions, falling reports

March 02, 2026

Emissions from wood combustion in Flanders have risen sharply – by more than 44% in 2022 (and even 140% compared with 2019). Yet, the Flemish government reports to Europe that the figures are falling by 16%. Due to inaccurate reporting and a flawed wood-burning stove policy, the health risks are underestimated. Sales of wood and pellet […]

Stranded by war: how Gulf escalation cripples global aviation

March 02, 2026

The recent American and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory attacks, are having a huge impact on international aviation. Due to the direct military threat and airspace closure, the three Arab hubs, Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH), the world’s most important transfer hubs, have become virtually unusable for international air […]

BMW and CATL partner for the upcoming EU battery passport

March 02, 2026

Chinese battery giant CATL and premium car manufacturer BMW aim to deepen their existing partnership. In a new letter of intent, the focus is specifically on data exchange: Both parties intend to make progress in cross-border data transfer through pilot projects, with an eye on the upcoming battery passport requirements in the EU. BMW and […]

Audi reshuffles sales team in North America and Asia

March 02, 2026

Sales are not going so well for Audi in some important foreign markets, both for combustion engines and electric cars. Ingolstadt is now responding and has announced a series of management changes in key markets, including China and North America. In its announcement, Audi refers to a ‘coordinated management rotation’ designed to ensure a smooth […]

BMW introduces ‘Physical AI’ in its iFactory

March 02, 2026

The BMW Group is advancing the digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key element in this effort is ‘Physical AI’, which combines digital artificial intelligence (AI) with real machines and robots. This enables intelligent systems such as humanoid robots to be integrated into real-world production processes. First time in Europe For the […]

2,000 hp of imagination: Xiaomi’s Vision GT will likely stay virtual

March 02, 2026

At the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Xiaomi pulled the covers off one of the most dramatic cars ever to wear its badge: the Vision GT, a low-slung electric super-GT with fighter-jet proportions, extreme aerodynamics, and power claims that brush against hypercar territory. It dominated headlines and social media feeds within hours. Yet for […]

33 Million trips and counting: shared mobility accelerates in Belgium

February 27, 2026

Bike sharing is becoming increasingly popular in Belgium, but the number of shared cars on offer is declining. This is according to figures collected by Way To Go, a network organization that promotes shared mobility. Nevertheless, car sharing in Flanders grew by 22% in terms of user numbers. And while Brussels is the e-scooter capital, […]

‘Scrolling into danger: traffic stunt videos influence young drivers’

February 27, 2026

Social media has an impact on the traffic behaviour of young adults that should not be underestimated. The more often they witness unsafe traffic behavior on social media, the more likely they are to engage in risky behavior and receive traffic fines themselves. This is the conclusion of a recent study by the road safety institute […]

High-speed ICE to link Cologne with Brussels Airport

February 27, 2026

From September 7th, there will be a new high-speed train connection between Antwerp and Cologne, with a stop at Brussels Airport. The new train connection, which will run twice a day in each direction and will also stop in Liège and Leuven in Belgium, will be launched by Deutsche Bahn. Brussels Airlines, among others, will […]

Fifth facelift for the world’s best-selling micro EV

February 27, 2026

SAIC-GM-Wuling has unveiled the fifth generation of its iconic Hongguang Mini EV, the lilliputian electric car that has sold more than 1.8 million units since its 2020 debut. The update brings retro-inspired styling cues and a clear signal that the tiny EV’s remarkable run is far from over. The numbers are staggering. The Hongguang Mini […]

The world’s first Porsche Club exclusively for electric drivers

February 27, 2026

Among the 700-plus Porsche Clubs worldwide, not a single one was dedicated to battery-electric models. Until now. A group of Italian Taycan and Macan owners decided to change that. The Registro Italiano E-motion is now officially the first Porsche Club on the planet to welcome only drivers of fully electric sports cars. The club grew […]

From hay to hydrogen: Kawasaki’s robotic horse gets serious

February 27, 2026

At Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Kawasaki Heavy Industries first rolled out a life-size robotic horse, a hydrogen-powered mechanical stallion with four articulated legs, a saddle, stirrups, and a head-up display. At that time, most observers filed it somewhere between anime fantasy and corporate fever dream. But it’s actually becoming a reality: Kawasaki is going to build […]

Engie offers free electricity during ‘Happy Hours’ in Belgium

February 26, 2026

Electricity provider Engie offers free electricity during ‘happy hours’ when there is an oversupply of renewable energy. The offer applies to all Engie electricity customers, regardless of their contract. They only have to have a digital meter. Customers can register starting today by activating the Happy Hours service, and the offer is valid until June 1st. The […]

Stuck in eternal turnaround: Aston Martin cuts fifth of its workforce

February 26, 2026

Aston Martin is living up to its reputation of ‘The English Patient’, and remains stuck in what seems an eternal struggle to crawl from loss to profit despite several capital injections of the past few years. Its latest financial results prompt the British luxury carmaker to cut up to 20 percent of its roughly 3,000-strong […]

Flemish driving test centers tighten rules to combat fraud

February 26, 2026

The Flemish government and driving test centers are taking measures to combat exam fraud and abuse, according to the Mediahuis newspapers. From now on, it will be mandatory to register via the Itsme app or another digital key, such as an eID, to make an appointment for a driving exam, and there will be many […]

70.000 Flemish risk fine for not registering home charging station

February 26, 2026

Tens of thousands of Flemish people risk a fine for failing to register a home charging station. Anyone installing a private charging point for an electric car, for example, in the driveway or garage, has been required to report this to Fluvius since June 2021, just as this is mandatory when installing solar panels or a home […]

Income gap slows Belgium’s EV transition, Deloitte study finds

February 26, 2026

According to Deloitte’s latest Global Automotive Consumer Study, just 12 percent of Belgian consumers say a battery electric vehicle (BEV) would be their next car, up only marginally from 11 percent a year earlier. Behind that modest figure lies a stark income divide. Among households earning less than €27,000 per year, 59 percent prefer a […]

Volvo adds a cheaper base model to fix sliding sales of EX30 

February 26, 2026

Volvo announced a new entry-level variant of its smallest EV, the EX30. It is expected to start in the low 30,000 euro range in select European markets, well below the current Belgian starting price of 38,990 euros for the 200 kW Single Motor variant. It will be positioned as the cheapest Volvo in the lineup, […]

Stellantis posts dramatic €22.3bn loss in historic 2025 reset

February 26, 2026

Franco-Italian-American carmaker Stellantis Group has delivered one of the most dramatic earnings collapses in modern European automotive history. It reported a net loss of €22.3 billion for 2025 on revenues of €153.5 billion, confirming analyst expectations and placing the group among the largest annual loss-makers ever associated with a French corporate champion. The scale of […]

Low sun causes 160 accidents per year on Walloon roads

February 25, 2026

We haven’t seen much sun in Belgium this year, but now that the first signs of spring are appearing, the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) is warning about glare from the sun in traffic at this time of the year. During these months, the sun is low on the horizon at exactly the times when […]

T&E: ‘EU fleets law could boost EV sales’

February 25, 2026

According to new T&E research, a new EU law to electrify the vehicle fleets of large companies could deliver 57% of the electric vehicle (EV) sales that carmakers need in 2030. While carmakers claim there is insufficient EV demand to meet their 2030 EU CO2 targets, T&E’s analysis shows that an ambitious company cars law […]

Drone Cargo Port, where drones can (un)load parcels independently

February 25, 2026

At Droneport in Sint-Truiden, the Antwerp-based medical drone company Helicus is showcasing an automated ‘Drone Cargo Port’. The system is comparable to a parcel-locker-like terminal, where drones can independently load and unload parcels. It was designed to automate the air-to-ground cargo handoff – loading/unloading workflows, standardized handling, and repeatable operations. The technology has been specifically developed […]

Flemish plans for revising car inspection meet criticism

February 25, 2026

Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder  (N-VA) wants to reorganize and simplify the mandatory car inspection in the region. She wants it to be more consumer-friendly and offer higher-quality service. According to the Minister, the current organisational model of the vehicle inspection system in Flanders no longer meets contemporary citizens’ expectations regarding public authorities and […]

Opel teases Corsa GSE: electric hot hatch coming in 2026

February 25, 2026

Opel has decided to bless the current Corsa, which is nearing the end of its lifespan, with a flagship GSE version. The electric hot hatch is coming later in 2026 and will likely share its internals with its French and Italian siblings, the Peugeot E-208 GTi and the Lancia Ypsilon HF. Back in 2022, Opel […]

A10/B03X: Leapmotor’s first serious bid for Europe’s EV mass market

February 25, 2026

China’s Leapmotor has revealed the first official interior images of its new compact electric SUV, the A10, offering a clearer picture of the model that will spearhead the brand’s push into Europe’s affordable EV segment. The A10, to be marketed in Europe as the B03X in the second half of 2026, is positioned as a […]

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