Introducing the Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring is doing something the rest of the market is still trying to figure out: making electric motoring affordable. As the lowest-priced new electric car available in the UK, it sits at the entry point of Dacia's range below the Sandero and is ideal for urban commuters, first-time EV drivers or anyone looking for a dependable, economical, no-fuss second car. This is one of the lightest electric cars on sale in Europe, which helps keep energy use low and makes it feel especially at home in stop-start city driving.
Dacia's data from existing Spring owners shows the average daily journey is around 21 miles across four trips — which means a fully charged Spring could, in theory, last a whole working week without needing a top-up. For UK drivers, this A-segment car makes electric ownership feel refreshingly straightforward. It strips away unnecessary complexity and delivers a driving experience that’s easy to get used to from day one.
Design and Practicality
At just 3.7 metres long, the Spring is easy to park and nip through traffic, but Dacia has also made good use of every inch (or, should we say, centimetre) available.
Despite its compact footprint, the Spring offers a higher driving position than many city cars, which can make a noticeable difference when navigating traffic or tight junctions. It weighs in at around 984kg — making it one of the very few four-seater electric cars under the one-tonne mark. And the thoughtful use of space doesn't stop there. Boot space comes in at 308 litres, which is more than you might expect from a car this size, and folding the rear bench flat takes that way up to 1,004 litres. Opt for the Extreme trim, and you also get a front storage compartment under the bonnet, handy for stowing your charging cables.
Inside, the cabin has been given a fresh look with coloured trim accents and Dacia's clever YouClip mount system, which lets you put a phone holder or other accessories wherever works best for you.
Technology and Safety
Standard equipment across the Spring range includes a 7-inch digital driver's display, manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Those rear parking sensors are especially useful, as the Spring is often used in tight urban spaces where visibility and precision matter most.
Step up to Extreme trim, and the headline addition is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, mounted high on the dashboard for easy visibility. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and two USB-C ports. The interface will feel familiar to anyone who's driven a Duster or Bigster — clean, easy to read and with key controls exactly where you'd expect them.
On the safety side, the Spring comes with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and speed limit assistance as standard — all welcome additions that help make everyday driving that bit more reassuring.
Engines and Performance
The Spring offers a choice of two electric motors: a 69bhp unit or a more powerful 99bhp version. Both are paired with a single-speed automatic transmission and drive the front wheels, keeping everything refreshingly simple.
The 99bhp version glides from 0 to 62mph in 9.6 seconds. While the 69bhp model might take over 12 seconds to reach 62mph, it hits 30mph in around four seconds — which, for a car that will spend most of its life in town, is a far more meaningful measure. Both versions share the same 24.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery (the first use of LFP technology in the Renault Group), and both achieve the same official WLTP range of up to 140 miles.
In practice, urban driving is where the Spring really makes sense — short trips, frequent stops and lower speeds all work in its favour, with some drivers reporting real-world efficiency well above official figures in these conditions.
Charging
As an all-electric car, the Spring supports both home and public charging, and the setup is easy to get your head around. Data from European users suggests 75 percent of owners charge exclusively at home, averaging about 3.5 hours per session — suggesting the public charging network barely enters the equation for most.
Step up to Extreme trim and the Spring also supports DC rapid charging at up to 40kW, bringing the battery from 20 to 80 percent in around 29 minutes. The charging port sits at the front centre of the car, and the Dacia My app lets you check charging status, pre-condition the cabin temperature before you step inside and plan charging stops on your longer journeys.
Also exclusive to Extreme trim, you can even use the Spring to power everyday devices — from a laptop to small appliances — a feature you’d normally expect to find on far pricier EVs.
Spring Models
Expression
Key features:
- Autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition
- 7-inch digital driver's display
- Manual air conditioning
- Cruise control and speed limiter
- Electric front windows
- Remote central locking
- Rear parking sensors
Extreme
Key features:
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- 40kW DC rapid charging (20 to 80 percent in 29 minutes)
- Reverse camera and front and rear parking sensors
- Heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors
- Electric rear windows
Test drive the Dacia Spring at Evans Halshaw
For drivers hesitant about switching to electric, the Spring removes many of the traditional barriers – it’s simple, familiar to drive and doesn’t demand a big lifestyle change. In many ways, it reflects a shift in thinking: instead of chasing maximum range, it focuses on delivering exactly what most daily journeys actually require.
If you're interested in test driving a Dacia Spring, please get in touch with your nearest Evans Halshaw Dacia retailer and our team will arrange an appointment at a date and time that suits.
