Belgian Economy: Fuel Soars, E-Bikes, F-35 3D Printing

Three seemingly unrelated stories from Belgium this week reveal a deeper truth: the geopolitical shockwaves from the US-Iran conflict are reshaping everything from the price at the pump to the way Belgians commute — and even how the country’s most advanced manufacturing is evolving. Diesel has climbed back above €2 per liter, speed pedelec sales are surging as military personnel join the leasing boom, and a ten-person company in Zelzate has signed a multi-million-euro contract to 3D-print components for F-35 fighter jets.

Fuel Prices: Back Above €2

As of July 9, the maximum price for diesel in Belgium has risen to €2.102 per liter, a jump of 13.5 cents and the highest level since the end of May, according to VRT NWS. Gasoline 95 (E10) now costs up to €1.909 per liter, while premium gasoline 98 (E5) has risen to €2.044. The cause, as VRT reports, is renewed tensions in the Middle East — specifically the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit.

Prices had spiked in April, then eased somewhat during diplomatic efforts. But new US attacks on Iranian targets have pushed fuel costs back up, squeezing Belgian consumers who are already grappling with elevated inflation. The Belgian government has allocated €80 million in energy support measures, though critics argue the relief is insufficient.

Speed Pedelecs: Military Personnel Fuel a Sales Surge

While rising fuel prices hurt household budgets, they are also accelerating a shift in mobility. Sales of speed pedelecs — high-speed e-bikes capable of 45 km/h — are booming. According to mobility federation Traxio, 8,196 new speed pedelecs were registered in the first half of 2026, a nearly 10% year-on-year increase. Monthly growth has accelerated sharply, with registrations rising 10%, 16%, and 20% in the last three months respectively.

The key driver? Military personnel. The Belgian government recently expanded its bicycle leasing scheme — previously available only to civil servants — to include Defense employees. “And they choose a speed pedelec remarkably often,” Traxio spokesperson Filip Rylant told VRT NWS. Second-hand registrations surged even more dramatically, up nearly 48% to 6,582, as lease bikes enter the resale market.

From Zelzate to the Skies: 3D-Printing F-35 Parts

Perhaps the most striking story comes from Zelzate, a small town in East Flanders. Guaranteed B.V., a company with just ten employees, has signed a contract worth €5-10 million with Lockheed Martin to 3D-print components for F-35 fighter jets using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology.

Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from ArcelorMittal, the OCAS research center, and Finindus, Guaranteed specializes in large-format metal additive manufacturing. The company can print metal parts ranging from 10 kilograms to 20 tons at temperatures of 1,300-1,400°C — a capability CEO Joachim Antonissen says places them “among the absolute world top” in Europe.

The contract falls under Lockheed Martin’s Economic Security Initiative (ESI), which aims to involve Belgian companies in the F-35 supply chain. As HLN reports, Antonissen emphasized the strategic importance: “If maintenance and production of parts can happen here, we build knowledge in Flanders and become less dependent on foreign suppliers. That is no unnecessary luxury today.”

The company had initially hesitated to enter the defense sector. “We debated it extensively within the board,” Antonissen told HLN. “In the current geopolitical context, we consider it a responsible choice.” Guaranteed also counts ArcelorMittal, dredging company DEME, and the European Space Agency among its clients.

The Common Thread: Geopolitics Driving Economic Adaptation

These three stories, while distinct, are deeply interconnected. The same geopolitical tensions that push diesel above €2 per liter also justify increased defense spending, creating opportunities for companies like Guaranteed. And the financial pressure at the pump is driving behavioral change — Belgians, including military personnel, are increasingly turning to speed pedelecs as a cost-effective commuting alternative.

Belgian inflation surged to 4.01% in April, driven primarily by energy costs, and the eurozone-wide figure reached 3%. The Belgian government’s €80 million support package provides limited relief, but structural shifts — in mobility, in manufacturing, and in defense strategy — are already underway.

What to Watch

Several questions remain. Will the US-Iran conflict de-escalate, and how quickly would fuel prices respond? Can Guaranteed scale from ten employees to meet the demands of a major defense contractor? And will the military bicycle leasing program expand further, accelerating the shift toward sustainable commuting?

What is clear is that Belgium, like much of Europe, is navigating a period of profound economic adaptation — where global crises create both pain at the pump and opportunity in the workshop.