European car industry trials ultra‑efficient Dacia prototype as battery supply cuts profits

A joint venture between Renault, Geely (Horse Powertrain) and Spanish energy group Repsol built a Dacia Duster prototype that achieved a record low fuel consumption of 3.3 L per 100 km during a 200‑km test in Spain. The vehicle used a 1.2‑litre three‑cylinder turbo gasoline engine paired with 100 % renewable bio‑fuel derived from waste oil, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 40 % compared with conventional fossil fuels.

A Deloitte study warns that Europe’s reliance on Asian battery cell suppliers could erode automotive profits by €10.5 bn over the next four years and cost the continent €100‑150 bn in added value by 2030. Europe currently produces only 13 % of battery cells, with 98 % of capacity controlled by Asian firms, creating a strategic vulnerability for the sector as demand for electric vehicles rises.