DUSTER EV TO REMAIN RUGGED AND OFFER 4WD

Value brand will roll out affordable EVs and extend its family-sized range

- FELIX PAGE

Dacia is readying its hugely popular Duster for the EV age – and the upcoming electric variant is set to stay true to its affordable, rugged ethos as well as retain the option of a go-anywhere 4x4.

The Romanian brand will showcase the next chapter of its reinvention in November, following the launch of its new Bigster flagship SUV earlier this year. CEO Denis Le Vot has already promised that there will be “a lot about electrification” as part of this showcase, suggesting that the firm will give the first details of how it will transition from ICE to EV power across its line-up.

Because of its focus on affordable models, Dacia currently only has one European EV, the Spring supermini, and it is sticking with ICE power for its core models: the Sandero, Jogger, Duster and Bigster.

But as the 2035 phase-out date for ICE cars in the UK and the European Union approaches, Dacia is turning its attention to putting an electric line-up in place. As a result, EV versions of each of its cars are in the pipeline - and Le Vot has already told Autocar that an electric Duster “will come in time”.

Dacia has not disclosed a timeframe or specific details for an EV version of its big-selling crossover - a car that has sold 65,000 examples across Europe so far this year.