November 30, 2022
Dutch solar car scale-up Lightyear has kicked off production of its Lightyear 0 sedan in Uusikaupunki, southwest of Finland, at contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive. Valmet plans to produce one vehicle per week, for the time being, pushing up production in 2023. The goal is to produce only 946 vehicles of the Lightyear 0, a symbolic […]
November 30, 2022
A locomotive of Belgian rail freight company Lineas carried out a demo run in the Netherlands fully autonomously on Tuesday. In the process, the locomotive also encountered obstacles on the rails, reports Alstom, which is developing the technology. The demonstration, which took place near Breda, concludes a series of tests that are part of a […]
November 30, 2022
Weather forecasters agree: we’re experiencing a ‘Dunkelflaute’. A period of cold and windless weather with a gray sky. As a result, solar panels and wind farms hardly produce any energy; consequently, in the last few days, energy prices have more than doubled. ‘Dunkelflaute’ (dark wind lull) events are characterized by a very dense cloud cover, […]
November 30, 2022
With the first delivery of the Semi scheduled for this Thursday, December 1st, Elon Musk has announced on Twitter that Tesla’s long-haul truck has achieved a 500-mile (800 km) drive with a loaded trailer earlier this week. That would match the initial promises made by Musk back in 2017. As ever, Tesla CEO Elon Musk […]
November 30, 2022
Thirty-five new speed camera posts will be installed on the capital’s roads next year. Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) has announced that. According to the minister, 30 poles have been ordered and received. The installation of 17 to 20 radars is planned for 2023 based on the new radar plan. For the […]
November 30, 2022
Applicants and young employees are still interested in a company car. That is what 68% of fleet and mobility managers confirmed in the new Company Car Report organized by Mobia, the mobility federation of Febiac, Traxio, and Renta. According to the questioned managers, 21% of youngsters have a neutral attitude toward the company car, and […]
November 30, 2022
Opel has unveiled the Electric version of the latest Astra, with similar specs to its closely related cousin, the Peugeot e-308. The Opel Astra Electric is available as a hatchback and an estate version, with WLTP ranges of up to 416 km. After launching the PHEV versions of the Astra first, including a sporty Astra […]
November 30, 2022
After getting the final approval of the EU Commission last week, leasing giant ALD Automotive is replenishing its capital to finalize the take-over of this other European leasing giant, Dutch LeasePlan, at a discounted price of €4,5 billion instead of the initial €4,9 billion proposed. Combining both fleets, the companies that will operate under the […]
November 29, 2022
Automotive supplier Continental has introduced its ‘Green Caliper’, a brake caliper and disc designed specifically for EVs. It saves up to five kg of unsprung weight per wheel and further improves efficiency by reducing residual brake force after releasing the pedal. The Green Caliper is designed with EVs in mind and optimizes weight and efficiency […]
November 29, 2022
In an update on its Luke EV project, Czech start-up MW Motors says it has extensively overhauled its Luka EV. New on the all-electric retro-styled car is a water-cooled motor, a bigger battery pack, better brakes, and a faster charger. And to provide more space and comfort, the interior has been redesigned completely. Chances are […]
November 29, 2022
Car dealers in the Netherlands saw their turnover rise by almost a quarter (24,3%) in the third quarter compared to the same period a year earlier. This was mainly due to price increases. Used cars were never so expensive before, reports the Dutch governmental statistics institute (CBS). A year ago, the turnover in the Netherlands’s […]
November 29, 2022
Yes, that’s quite a few buzzwords in one title. Spanish start-up Liux wants to make the Animal, an electric crossover SUV with a range of up to 600 km. More importantly, though, is the goal of producing it out of 90% recycled and plant-based materials, with a simplified assembly that facilitates production and repairs. The […]
November 29, 2022
Owners of an electric car who cannot install a charging point at home and don’t have one nearby can ask for a public charging station in the immediate surroundings of their home. Since September, citizens with an electric vehicle can file such a request via an e-counter. In the meantime, 437 citizens or companies applied. […]
November 29, 2022
It’s a world first, says the British airplane engine manufacturer Rolls Royce with the same name as the car, but no other than historical connections: a modern turboprop airplane engine running on green hydrogen. It didn’t fly yet, but it was a successful ‘ground test’ together with the British low-budget airline easyJet. H2ZERO, as the […]
November 28, 2022
European car manufacturers struggle to produce affordable EVs in Europe and to make it a profitable business. That’s why Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares, during a visit to Chennai (India) declared that his company was unable at the moment to produce affordable EVs in Europe and that he was thinking of production in low(er) cost countries […]
November 28, 2022
Federal Minister for Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) wants driving licenses in Belgium to be automatically and immediately revoked even at lower blood alcohol levels. Suppress newspapers report that. The figures for drink-driving in Belgium are still alarming: between January and October, there were 3 138 accidents on Belgian roads in which the driver had drunk […]
November 28, 2022
In 2021, the quality of bikeways along the Flemish regional roads was better than in 2019. As a result, not only has the infrastructure improved, but the comfort for cyclists increased. That is the conclusion of the Agency for Roads and Traffic’s latest bicycle report. The ART (Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer, AWV) publishes a similar […]
November 28, 2022
As of last Friday, Seoul’s citizens can ride in an autonomous driving bus. The first self-driving shuttle was inaugurated and must help people take the threshold and build faith in the technology. The bus runs a 3,4-kilometer-long loop through South Korea’s capital, which lasts around 20 minutes. Travelers can embark on one of the two […]
November 28, 2022
Cars that fail technical inspection in Flanders for a defective or insufficient working diesel particulate filter (DPF) will have one year to fix it and present it again for review. Minister for Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) decided after weeks of consultation to extend the period from three to twelve months, the newspaper Het Belang […]
November 28, 2022
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed the decision to expand the Ultra-Low-Emission Zone (ULEZ) to all of Greater London. After the conclusion of a consultation round, Khan has now put a date on the expansion. As of the 29th of August 2023, older polluting cars will have to pay a fee to enter […]
November 28, 2022
BMW has announced that it will build assembly lines for the high-voltage batteries next to the new vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The first construction work is already underway, and the production of the battery packs will begin in parallel with vehicle production of the New Class, ‘die Neue Klasse’. As reported, the vehicle plant […]
November 25, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA has posted a new product called ‘Acceleration Increase‘ on its online shop’s website. The new service costs $1 200 for one year (excluding tax) of the service, which can improve an EQ vehicle’s acceleration by 0,8 to 1,0 seconds. The car manufacturer’s website writes that the new service will “unleash enhanced performance for […]
November 25, 2022
It’s called the Caterpillar 793 Electric. The American construction equipment behemoth showcased its prototype of a zero-emission mining truck at its proving ground in Arizona. The test area is also being transformed into a sustainable project to inspire mining companies in their decarbonization goals globally. Without providing exact specifications, Caterpillar showcased the prototype of its […]
November 25, 2022
The anniversary edition of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS), taking place from 14 to January 22nd, 2023, is not to be considered the 100th edition of the ‘old school’ motor show but the first of a new kind. The aim is clear: inform the visitor/customer about the energy transition and its (electric) influence on mobility. […]
November 25, 2022
Shared e-scooters in Paris will be equipped with number plates. The operators of the mobility services have announced this. The number plates should make it easier to report traffic offenses committed by users of the e-scooters, such as driving through the red light or riding two on the vehicle. Things had not been going well […]
November 25, 2022
Truck transport is massively polluting, and the emissions from transporting retail goods spike 94% during Black Friday week. However, there is a ready-made solution in the form of zero-emission trucks, the European environmental lobbying group Transport and Environment (T&E) says. Black Friday is notorious for peak consumerism and waste. Trucking retail goods is a dirty […]
November 25, 2022
At GM China Tech Day, Chevrolet unveiled the FNR-XE, a concept of a three-box sedan preluding a production model reserved for the Chinese market and expected for next year. After the compact Bolt, the pickup Silverado EV, and the SUV Equinox EV, this is Chevrolet’s fourth BEV. Chevrolet introducing an all-electric sedan in China shouldn’t […]
November 25, 2022
On Thursday, Renault Trucks and Coca-Cola’s Belgian-Luxembourg branch Europacific Partners (CCEP) presented to the press the four first fully electric delivery trucks of a total fleet of thirty, which is to be commissioned in the next twelve months. The trucks with a range of 180 km to 400 km are charged overnight at Coca-Cola’s depot […]
November 24, 2022
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published its recent ‘Air Quality in Europe 2022’ assessment, and the conclusion is not really reassuring. Although Europe’s air quality keeps on improving, air pollution still remains the largest environmental health risk in Europe, causing chronic diseases and premature deaths. According to the EEA, at least 238 000 people […]
November 24, 2022
Polestar launched the sedan 2 two-and-a-half years ago, and production numbers have already hit 100 000 units. Sales of the BEV are successfully gaining traction worldwide. The celebratory model carried the same spec as the first unit Polestar assembled and is destined for an Irish customer. Polestar builds the 2 solely in its Chinese factory […]
November 24, 2022
Abarth has launched its first electric car with the Abarth 500e, which follows the recipe of its combustion brothers by giving the Fiat 500e more power and a sporty look. The brand has also solicited its community to develop some features, with members getting priority in the pre-order process in return for their efforts. Abarth […]
November 24, 2022
Back in May, the MR and PS within the federal majority were not overflowing with enthusiasm for the introduction of the point-based driving license in Belgium. Now, both parties are jamming on the brakes again now that a more elaborate proposal of the three competent ministers is on the government table, writes the newspaper L’Echo. […]
November 24, 2022
American hydrogen high-tech startup Hyperion, known for its 1000-mile range XP-1 hypercar, showed in Los Angeles its idea to tackle the infrastructure headaches: a mobile, spaceship-like filling station for FCEVs that can make its own hydrogen on-site but also fast-charge an EV alongside in 20 minutes. The idea behind it is simple, but a substantial […]
November 24, 2022
Japanese carmaker Mazda has revised its sales targets for EVs by 2030. The previously announced share of 25% has been raised to between 25% and 40%. In addition, the company is planning an investment of 10,3 billion euros in its electrification strategy, possibly including a factory for battery production. As one of the members of […]
November 23, 2022
The Brussels government will allocate an additional 125 million euros to Mobility next year, increasing the budget to 1,448 billion euros in the 2023 budget. This amounts to 20% of the Brussels Region’s budgetary funds. “The government is taking its responsibility on mobility challenges, the climate change, and health crisis, and more generally on the […]
November 23, 2022
Despite the popularity of teleworking and the reduced number of cars on Flemish roads compared to pre-corona times, traffic congestion is worse than ever. That flared up the debate on the introduction of a kilometer tax for passenger cars and vans in the Flemish Parliament. October 2022 was the second worst month regarding traffic jams […]
November 23, 2022
Chinese premium electric carmaker NIO is opening up its offer in Europe with a purchase option and battery renting. It is a complement to meet European clients’ wishes to the monthly car subscription it started in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, the first countries the brand was launched after Norway. Prices start at €51 […]
November 23, 2022
The German supplier ZF presented a new generation of electric drives for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. With numerous innovations at the component and system level, these are to “set standards with outstanding power density and energy efficiency”. According to the company’s press release, these standards include the compact design of the drives, the […]
November 23, 2022
Persistent rumors exist that the VW brand is about to replan its product strategy for further electric models fundamentally. According to some reports, more electric cars based on the MEB platform will be launched on the market. This means that MEB will have to be modernized, with an investment of billions. Last week, we mentioned […]
November 23, 2022
Halfway through its development cycle, Mercedes has started durability tests with the EQG. Though this battery-powered version embodies a new chapter in the vehicle’s bloodline, its hardcore mission won’t change. If standards are already extraordinary for the regular G-Class, these will be even more demanding on the all-electric version. The battery pack must be capable […]
November 23, 2022
Ford has unveiled the passenger version of its E-Transit Custom, which gets the E-Tourneo Custom nameplate. The electric people carrier has up to eight seats, an electric range of 370 km, and offers more comfort and technology than before. PHEV and diesel versions are also available. Like the E-Transit Custom, the E-Tourneo Custom gets a […]
November 22, 2022
Swiss/Swedish technology group ABB has raised CHF 200 million (± €204 million) for its E-mobility division. Shares to raise said capital are being issued as part of a pre-IPO private placement. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2022, and the capital will be used to implement the growth strategy. The private […]
November 22, 2022
The US-based brand Drako is the newest addition to a flood of new brands following in the wake of the electrification of the automotive industry. This gull-winged super-SUV counts on 2 000 hp, and subsequent performance runs outpacing the Ferrari Purosangue. Fasten your seatbelts. Faithful to the customer taste of its home market, the company […]
November 22, 2022
On Monday, November 21st, Elia Group welcomed Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) and the Belgian Federal Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) to visit the Baltic Eagle offshore transmission platform. The project is a joint responsibility of Spanish energy group Iberdrola and 50Hertz, German subsidiary of Belgian Elia. The offshore […]
November 22, 2022
Geely’s luxury brand Zeekr has launched a platform for autonomous driving vehicles. Dubbed SEA-M, the carmaker presented it on a robotaxi, the M-Vision. Google’s subsidiary Waymo is the first customer. The unveiling of the car, and the architecture, follows a previous announcement from Google and Geely unveiling their collaboration on developing an all-electric ride-hailing vehicle […]
November 22, 2022
Europe’s largest airline group Lufthansa has launched a campaign to recruit 20 000 employees in Europe. According to the group’s statement, Lufthansa will recruit these new employees in 45 professions at its site in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium. In particular, technicians, IT specialists, lawyers, pilots, and cabin crew are being sought. The campaign comes […]
November 22, 2022
Belgian retail giant Colruyt Group will have its own truck fleet running on electricity or hydrogen by 2030 and forces all its suppliers to deliver using zero-emission transport by 2035. CEO Jef Colruyt announced the latter at the opening of the group’s fourth DATS 24 hydrogen station near its distribution center in Ollignies. According to […]
November 21, 2022
In October 2022, new passenger car registrations continued their upward trend (+12,2%) in the European Union, with 745 855 units sold. However, this result remained nearly 290 000 units below the October 2019 pre-pandemic levels. When we look at the first nine months, car registrations in the EU fell by 9,9%, but there was a […]
November 21, 2022
Paris is considering banning its 15 000 free-floating shared electric scooters riding around in the French capital. Local authorities are concerned about public safety on the city’s sidewalks. Shared e-scooter providers Lime, Dott, and Tier, active in Paris’ city center, are promising a series of improvements, but whether their licenses will be renewed is a […]
November 21, 2022
Smart’s second new-gen model has been revealed as the #3, another compact electric SUV, but a larger one than the #1, which was launched earlier this year. The model was spotted in a new batch of regulatory filings from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which also revealed a few key specifications. The […]
November 21, 2022
Over three years, the American carmaker General Motors will be as profitable on its EV portfolio as with its combustion-engined models. That’s what CEO Marry Barra told investors at a meeting. Tax incentives, the spreading of costs, and mining contracts are the main drivers. “Solidly profitable” were the words used to describe the financial outlook […]
November 21, 2022
The switch to electric bus traffic in Brussels is being accelerated. In the next two years, four bus lines will become electric, and six additional charging stations near Westland Shopping in Anderlecht will be added. Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB has announced this. According to MIVB/STIB CEO Brieuc de Meeûs, the terminals of bus lines […]
November 21, 2022
As of April 2025, electric car drivers in the UK are no longer exempt from road tax. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made the measure public during his Autumn speech, stating that this would make the system “fairer”. Generally, it is not expected that the new standard will have a significant effect in slowing down EV adoption. […]
November 21, 2022
Volkswagen’s electric car plant in Zwickau set a production record in the week from 7 to 11 November when 7 100 electric cars were produced, more than in any previous week. This means that the plant is close to reaching its maximum capacity. Concerning the future of the VW icon Golf, the CEO has indicated […]
November 18, 2022
Next year, the Belgian railway company NMBS/SNCB will introduce a new ‘silent’ reporting system for train travelers who feel unsafe. According to research, the feeling of insecurity among train travelers continues to increase. The new system is simple and discrete: travelers can simply ask for help by sending a text message to the permanence center […]
November 18, 2022
The Belgian version of the points-based driver’s license is about to see the light of day. So report several newspapers, including De Morgen and La Libre Belgique, which saw the draft by three competent ministers. The primary measure in the draft, which comes after more than 30 years in limbo in the federal parliament, is […]
November 18, 2022
The Flemish government plans a new bicycle highway along the Brussels beltway between Vilvoorde and Strombeek-Bever. The new bikeway will be five kilometers long and connect several bicycle highways (F28 and F23, along the channel in Vilvoorde). The project fits in a larger-scale initiative to implement a total of 115 km of new bikeways connecting […]
November 18, 2022
Those who hoped to appease their appetite for more details about the Gravity SUV in this week’s Lucid’s Launch Event come home empty-handed. Besides a new teaser video for Gravity (see below), the focus was basically on the long-awaited basic version of the luxury sedan Lucid Pure, as it should. That one finally goes into […]
November 18, 2022
The production of the Fisker Ocean has started on schedule at the contract manufacturer Magna in Graz (Austria). However, this production of the electric SUV, for which Fisker has registered more than 63 000 reservations so far, is not expected to really pick up speed until next year. In addition, the configurator with the final […]
November 18, 2022
According to German media sources, the new Volkswagen Group boss Oliver Blume is questioning the construction of the new electric car plant initiated by his predecessor Herbert Diess in the Warmenau district of Wolfsburg. It also means that the first EV planned to be produced there, the prestigious ‘Trinity’ sedan, will also be (at least) […]
