Dacia’s revamped Spring electric city car arrives in the UK, potentially undercutting rivals by thousands.
Dacia’s on a winning streak with its impressive sales record and the highly anticipated Duster refresh. Now, the brand’s ready to enter the UK electric car scene with a revamped version of its budget-friendly, zero-emissions city car – the Dacia Spring Electric. Unveiled at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, rumors suggest it could carry a shockingly low sub-£15,000 price tag. If true, it would make the Spring one of the most affordable options on the market. Let’s explore what this updated little EV brings to the table.
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The New Dacia Spring
Since its 2021 debut in mainland Europe, the Dacia Spring Electric has been a hot commodity, surpassing 140,000 total sales. However, UK drivers have been left out of the EV fun – until now. This major mid-life refresh could be the key to its debut in the UK market.
Transformative Changes
Dacia hasn’t held back on the upgrades – only the roof panel remains unchanged. The Dacia Spring now sports a bold, rugged aesthetic that aligns perfectly with the updated Duster. It also features tough body cladding with customisable stickers, perfect for covering up those inevitable urban bumps and scratches. Add in fresh paint colours like Beige Safari and Brick Red, and you’ve got an EV that stands out from the crowd.
Staying Focused on City Driving
One thing that hasn’t changed is the Dacia Spring’s city-centric focus. It remains a compact sub-supermini EV, measuring just 3.72 meters long (slightly longer than a Hyundai i10). This petite size allows for a smaller 26.8kWh battery, minimising weight and optimising its 130+ mile range for zipping around town.
Powertrains remain familiar, giving you a choice between a 44bhp or 64bhp motor. Entry-level Expression trim offers both, while the range-topping Extreme exclusively gets the more powerful option.
Elevated Interior
Inside, the Dacia Spring boasts a complete makeover with a redesigned dashboard and a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster across all trim levels. While Expression models still cater to smartphone users with a central holder, the Extreme (which Dacia anticipates being the top seller) boasts a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It features features over-the-air updates, live navigation, and smartphone connectivity.
Materials feel more premium with upgraded fabrics, textured door inlays, and splashes of white plastic for a brighter ambiance. The new Spring’s interior, looks much closer in quality to the Sandero than the original’s cost-conscious approach. The steering wheel now adjusts for height (though not reach) and is borrowed from the Duster. No driver’s seat height adjustment is a slight letdown.
Dacia introduces its innovative YouClip accessory system to the Spring. You can choose from various items like cup holders and even a mini-backpack, all of which attach seamlessly to multiple dashboard and center console points.
Practicality & Charging
While legroom is still tight in the back, as expected in a city car, the boot offers surprisingly generous space akin to a supermini. It swallows 308 liters which expands to over 1,000 liters with the rear seats down. Dacia will also offer an optional ‘frunk’, providing an additional 30 liters, perfect for storing your charging cables – handy, given the Spring’s central nose-mounted charging port.
Charging options include a standard 3-pin plug (11 hours for 20-80%), a faster 7kW wallbox (around 4 hours), and optional DC charging (up to 30kW for regaining 80% battery in 45 minutes). Extreme models even offer a clever vehicle-to-load adapter, letting you power regular plug-in appliances for off-grid adventures.
Trim Levels & Cargo Version
Expression trim provides the basics like air conditioning, 14/15-inch wheels (depending on your motor choice), electric front windows, parking sensors, a speed limiter, and cruise control. Stepping up to Extreme gets you 15-inch wheels, powered mirrors, electric rear windows, USB-C ports, and copper accents for a touch of flair.
Dacia has also introduced a two-seat Dacia Spring Cargo – a commercial van with a huge 1,085-liter load bay. It’s uncertain whether we’ll see this version in the UK.
| Specification | Dacia Spring Electric |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.72 meters |
| Range | 130+ miles (WLTP) |
| Battery Capacity | 26.8 kWh |
| Powertrain Options | 44bhp or 64bhp electric motors |
| Trim Levels | Expression, Extreme |
| Boot Space | 308 liters (seats up), 1,004 liters (seats down) |
| Charging Options | 3-pin plug (11 hrs), 7kW wallbox (4 hrs), optional DC fast charging (up to 30kW, 45 min) |
| Unique Features | YouClip accessory system, optional ‘frunk’, vehicle-to-load capability (Extreme) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge a Dacia Spring?
The cost to charge your Dacia Spring will depend on your electricity tariff and whether you charge at home or use public charging stations. If you’re on the Octopus Intelligent Go tariff with a low rate of 7.5p per kWh, here’s an estimate:
Battery Capacity: 26.8 kWh
Cost per kWh: £0.075
Approximate Cost to Fully Charge: £0.075 * 26.8 kWh = £2.01
Please note: Public charging costs can be higher. Also, while the Octopus Intelligent Go tariff offers a low off-peak rate, your overall electricity bill will also include standard daytime electricity usage.
How much does a Dacia Spring cost?
While official UK pricing hasn’t been announced yet, Dacia suggests the Spring Electric could have a starting price of under £16,000. This would make it significantly more affordable than many other electric cars on the market.
Is the Dacia Spring electric or hybrid?
The Dacia Spring is a fully electric car. It does not have a hybrid option with a petrol engine.
What is the real consumption of the Dacia Spring?
Dacia hasn’t released official real-world consumption figures yet. However, the Spring’s small battery and lightweight construction suggest it should be quite energy-efficient in everyday driving.
What is the range of the Dacia Spring Electric battery?
The Dacia Spring Electric has a WLTP-rated range of over 130 miles. Real-world range might slightly vary depending on driving conditions and your driving style.
