Dacia Spring: Spring Revolution

She is the first true low-cost electric car to hit the European market. What is the actual value of the Dacia Spring?

More than fifteen years after the Logan, the Romanian manufacturer (owned by the Renault group) is back with the idea of a new car priced like a used model, this time riding the wave of electrification with the Dacia Spring. Less glamorous, because the electric vehicle market—still transitioning from niche to “perceptible” on the global stage—is still settling in.

But it must be acknowledged that progress is faster than expected. The almost daily announcements from major automakers indicate that each is, one by one, abandoning internal combustion engines. It is with models like the Spring that electric cars could become mainstream. This is noteworthy because Logan, in 2004, was designed to appeal to customers hesitant between new and used cars due to budget constraints, not out of a commitment to new technology, which still has its limits.

So, the likelihood of Dacia electric car clubs forming is slim. Nor are large picnics organized by the Romanian company to gather its “essential” car enthusiasts. Moreover, with the Dacia Spring, city dwellers won’t be taking the key to the countryside. Its 44 horsepower, over 20 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (which makes it dangerous on the highway), and 230 km of range—halved on the highway—limit its use mostly to urban environments.

Price of the Dacia Spring that’s affordable, certainly…

Still far from the 7,500 € of the Logan. Remember that this car, dubbed “50,000 francs,” was a shoebox without power steering or electric windows, launched successfully in 2004 (nearly 3 million units produced since). Priced at more than double (17,000 €), the Spring is also half as spacious and remains a city-only vehicle.

However, the Dacia Spring offers decent equipment and genuine city car qualities. Its length is measured (3.73 m, 11 cm longer than a Renault Twingo). Its trunk is adequate thanks to its crossover body style. Its driving experience is pleasant in urban areas thanks to its raised chassis. Still, at €12,403 after tax credits, you could find recent, good-condition used cars capable of escaping the city with greater versatility and better performance.

A different target?

Even if it is — a little — revolutionizing the approach to electric cars, the Spring mainly allows Dacia to reach sectors where it was absent: municipalities and companies. Furthermore, the Dacia Spring remains a secondary vehicle. It has limited range and a finish reminiscent of the last century. Nonetheless, it comes with a manual air conditioner, Bluetooth radio, USB port, and a Type 2 charging cable as standard.

For an extra €1,500, totaling €18,490 (after €13,498 tax credit), the equipment is upgraded. It includes a 7-inch touchscreen with reversing camera and parking sensors, metallic paint, and a spare wheel. This is €4,000 less than an electric Twingo, more comfortable on the road and more eye-catching. However, it is ultimately not better equipped and has less range (190 km). The price of the Dacia Spring remains its strongest point.

This price should be viewed within the context of the electric vehicle universe, which is significantly more expensive than internal combustion cars and today supported by substantial tax incentives. If you are attracted to this kind of vehicle, it’s probably better to opt for a “high-end” Spring. Not only for driving pleasure but also for resale value, which remains uncertain given the constantly evolving market players.

Thanks to whom?

To offer a low-cost electric car, Dacia relied on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance’s parts library. No individual component was specially developed; everything was sourced from existing stock.

Of course, its design is unique, but the Dacia Spring is not quite a new model… Indeed, Dacia benefits from Renault’s industrial presence in China, where it has been manufacturing the same vehicle under the Renault City K-ZE name since 2019. Therefore, the Spring is also built in China. The company eGT New Energy manages its production, a joint venture established in 2017 by the Alliance and its local partner Dongfeng.

If Dacia sells its models under its own name in Europe, elsewhere they are badged as Renault. Notably, in addition to its environmentally damaging side, China ranks first among electric vehicle consumers (half of the global production, roughly two million out of four).

Dacia Spring, key takeaways

Price: starting at €12,403, with a 27% bonus deducted from the billed price (€16,990)
Dimensions (length x width x height): 3.73 x 1.58 x 1.52 m
Wheelbase: 2.42 m
Power: 44 hp and 125 Nm of torque
Performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 19.1 seconds, top speed 125 km/h
Motor: electric, on the front wheels
Range: 230 km, 305 km in city
Charging time: from 4h51 (wall box) to 13h32 (standard socket)
Battery: 27.2 kWh
Warranty: vehicle, 3 years or 100,000 km; battery, 8 years or 120,000 km

Also read: Dacia Spring 2022 review: a good affordable electric car