Dacia has launched the fully electric Dacia Spring in the UK, positioning it as the most affordable electric vehicle available in the country with a starting price of just £14,995. This new model marks a significant milestone for the brand, offering a combination of affordability, efficiency, and practicality. This EV gives you an idea of just how far this market has come over the last 5 years. In 2019, the ‘highly affordable EV' choice was the MG ZS at close to £25,000 – making the new Dacia Spring around 60% cheaper. So what does Dacia offer for such a low, low price?
Dacia's has worked hard to create a brand that tells you (a) this car will be one of the cheapest you can buy in its class, but also (b) it will come with a decent warranty for many years and you can trust this car to get you from A to B. Anyone who's driven a low cost Dacia will know that one of the most awkward things was the lack of foot space to the left of the clutch. With this advent of an electric motor, there may well be enough space for all left feet to relax in this Spring.
Sure, the battery isn't large, but with the average UK city driver hitting around 20 miles a day, you should be able to charge the Dacia Spring once a week for your urban driving routine. And with a top speed rated close to 78mph, you will JUST be able to get points on your license on a UK motorway. Yay!
Below is an overview of the key specifications, but if you want to know what it will be like buying the cheapest ‘proper EV' on the roads, then you should contact Dacia direct and ask about test drives. From when we first ‘went deep' on this car, the price has already dropped £1,000. Will there be more deals to follow – especially given its on the road price in France?
New Model and Trim Levels
For the first time, the Dacia Spring will be available in a right-hand-drive configuration, catering specifically to the UK market. The vehicle comes in two versions, Electric 45 and Electric 65, with a standard trim called Expression. Additionally, the Electric 65 model offers a higher-spec trim known as Extreme. These trim levels are designed to meet a variety of customer needs, from basic functionality to enhanced features and aesthetics.
Technical Specifications
The Dacia Spring is equipped with a 65hp electric motor, which delivers low energy consumption, making it an efficient choice for urban commuting. The car achieves a top speed of 78 mph and can accelerate from 0 50mph in around 13.5 seconds. That's a whole second faster than your first Ford Cortina 1600 and TWO seconds faster than a Toyota Aygo. The Dacia's motor generates a maximum power of 48 kW at 4,057 to 6,000 rpm and a torque of 113 Nm at 500 to 4,057 rpm.
Charging Capabilities
Charging the Dacia Spring is both flexible and convenient. It features an onboard single-phase charger that supports power from 2 kW to 7 kW. The car can be charged using a granny charger on a domestic plug, or a suitable 3kW to 7.4 kW AC charger from companies like Humax – with full charging times of 13 hours 32 minutes, 8 hours 28 minutes, and 4 hours 51 minutes respectively. For faster charging, a 125kW DC fast charger can charge the battery from 20% to 80% in just 56 minutes.
Practicality and Boot Space
One of the standout features of the Dacia Spring is its practicality. It offers a generous boot volume of 308 litres, which can be expanded to 1,004 litres with the rear seats folded down. This capacity makes it one of the best in its segment, providing ample space for everyday use and weekend getaways.
Design and Exterior Features
The exterior of the Dacia Spring has been redesigned to be more robust and assertive. The new design language includes a structured and highly constructed look, with features such as solid-colour protection strips around the body and wheel arches, ensuring durability and a sleek appearance. The car’s compact dimensions (3.70m long) and a turning circle of 4.80m make it exceptionally agile, suitable for both urban and rural driving.
Interior Features
Inside, the Dacia Spring boasts a customisable digital dashboard with a 7-inch display on all versions, and a central 10-inch multimedia display on the Extreme trim. The dashboard has been reworked to incorporate elements from Dacia’s new interior design language, offering a modern and practical layout. The car also features white elements around the instrument cluster, gear stick, and door bins, adding a fresh and modular atmosphere.
Multimedia and Connectivity
The Expression trim comes with the Media Control system, which includes Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a steering wheel-controlled multimedia interface. The Extreme trim offers the Media Nav Live system with a 10-inch central touch screen, smart navigation, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety and Assistance Systems
The Dacia Spring is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to enhance safety. These include emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, rear park assist, and lane keep assist. The car also features a ‘My Safety' button for quick access to preferred ADAS settings.
Environmental Impact
The Dacia Spring has been recognised for its energy efficiency and low carbon footprint. It received a 5-star rating from Green NCAP in 2022, highlighting its excellent environmental performance. The car’s lightweight design, weighing under one tonne, contributes to its efficiency, making it a suitable choice for eco-conscious drivers.
Availability and Pricing
The Dacia Spring is now available to order in the UK. The Expression trim, paired with either the Electric 45 or Electric 65 powertrain, starts at £14,995. The higher-spec Extreme trim, available exclusively with the Electric 65 powertrain, is priced at £17,495.
Warranty and Service Plans
Dacia offers a comprehensive three-year, 60,000-mile warranty for the Spring, with the battery covered for eight years or 75,000 miles. Customers can extend their warranty up to seven years with the Dacia Zen plan, provided the vehicle is serviced by an official Dacia retailer. The brand also provides a range of service plans, covering maintenance for up to four years and 48,000 miles.
Conclusion
The launch of the Dacia Spring in the UK marks a significant step in making electric vehicles more accessible. With its affordable pricing, efficient performance and practical design – the Dacia Spring could well become a popular choice for those who want a high-affordable electric vehicle.
Specifications
Versions and Pricing
- Expression Electric 45: £14,995
- Expression Electric 65: £16,495
- Extreme Electric 65: £17,495
Technical Specifications
- Motor Type: Electric 65
- Max Power: 48 kW (65 hp) @ 4,057 – 6,000 rpm
- Max Torque: 113 Nm @ 500 – 4,057 rpm
- Top Speed: 78 mph
- 0-31 mph: 3.9 seconds
- 0-62 mph: 13.7 seconds
- 1,000m Standing Start: 37.5 seconds
- Range (WLTP City cycle): 190 miles
- Range (WLTP Combined cycle): 140 miles
- Power Consumption (WLTP City cycle): 115 Wh/km
- Power Consumption (WLTP Combined cycle): 135 Wh/km
Charging
- Onboard Charger: Single-phase from 2 kW to 7 kW
- 2.3 kW Domestic Plug (10A): 0-100% in 13h 32min
- 3.7 kW Wallbox (10A): 0-100% in 8h 28min
- 7.4 kW Wallbox (32A): 0-100% in 4h 51min
- Fast Charger (DC 125A): 0-80% in 56 minutes
Tyres and Brakes
- Standard Tyres Size: 165/65 R15
- Front Discs Diameter: Data not provided
- Rear Drums Diameter: Data not provided
Steering and Axles
- Steering Type: Data not provided
- Turning Circle, Curb to Curb: Data not provided
- Steering Wheel Turns, Lock to Lock: Data not provided
- Front Axle: McPherson wishbone
- Rear Axle: H-axle with deformable profile and programmed rear rods
Boot Volume
- Boot Volume: 308 litres
- Maximum Boot Volume (Seats Down): 1,004 litres
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