Dacia is considering bringing the Indian-market Renault Bridger to Europe with electric power as part of a push by the Romanian brand to reduce its CO2 emissions.
The Bridger, revealed as a near-ready concept earlier this year, is a chunky, small SUV in the mould of the Suzuki Jimny. It was designed to sit underneath the slightly larger Renault Duster - an adapted version of Dacia's European SUV of the same name - in the French brand's Indian showrooms.
It will be launched next year in line with the Renault Group's strategy to significantly expand its global footprint by introducing market-specific models in key regions.
As with other international offerings, including the Renault Filante, Boreal and Niagara, the Bridger hadn't been planned for launch in the company's home market of Europe.
However, with the group's value-focused Dacia brand needing to electrify its line-up quickly and affordably, and with heavy incentives in place to build its cars locally, company insiders have revealed it could adapt the Bridger for the European market, where it would go up against the similarly conceived Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda Electric.
Electrification and reducing CO2 emissions are top priorities for Dacia, with the Romanian firm trailing its Renault Group counterparts on emissions, owing to its limited electric line-up.
Dacia is also reviewing its plans in light of proposed rules under the EU's new Industrial Accelerator Act. This could introduce super-credits for EVs built in Europe, which would be more generous for models that are less than 4.2m long.
Dacia has announced that it plans to launch four EVs by 2030 but hasn't named them. Autocar can reveal that they are the Spring, Sandero, Sandero Stepway and a fourth car.
