Dacia is bringing Spring to the UK

General Guides  New Launches 

After a few supply chain issues beyond its control, and a European enthusiasm that may have taken it a little by surprise, it looks like Dacia has finally decided to allow the UK to enjoy Spring sometime in 2024. And it won't come as much of a surprise to hear we aren't referring to the season. This is the Dacia Spring, the lowest-priced electric city car in Europe, and now officially the most eco-friendly too.

That's the verdict of the GreenNCAP test anyway. You're probably aware of the safety ratings that usually carry the NCAP name. Well, this particular test measures the environmental impact of today's cars, and the Dacia Spring has done absolutely brilliantly at it.

The Dacia Spring, like other electric vehicles, scored maximum results in the Clean Air Index, but also achieved Green NCAP's highest result in the Greenhouse Gas Index and a never-before-seen 9.8 in the Energy Efficiency Index. Due to its pure electric powertrain and light weight, Dacia's compact city car receives full points in three out of four tests, with an energy consumption rate that is actually lower than Green NCAP's maximum-points threshold.

Before you all rush out to lease one, let's take a look at exactly what you'll be getting with the Dacia Spring shall we?

Dacia Spring in more detail

Dacia's first small city car, the Spring Electric, breaks the norms of the ‘conventional' electric car. Its assertive design features some of the best attributes from SUVs, such as wider wheel arches, roof bars, reinforced front rocker panel, and raised ground clearance. It also offers more interior space than you'd think from a car that is just 3.7m long and 1.6m wide. It's quite a roomy little thing.

The Dacia Spring Electric also features LED lights, a ribbed bonnet and large bumper, and the distinctive enclosed front grille that gives most EVs a very contemporary look. The rear lights are also fitted with a new Y-shaped LED lighting signature and the Spring Electric's bold look is topped off by a colour pack available on the launch version which finishes off the mirrors, parts of the roof bars, and the ring under the front grille in a vibrant orange.

Inside, the Dacia Spring Electric offers a spacious and well-equipped cabin that comfortably accommodates four adults. There are loads of handy storage pockets and cubby holes, as well as a 300-litre boot that can be doubled in size when you drop the rear seats down.

Standard features include all-electric variable assist power steering, remote central locking, and electric windows. To help reduce driver distraction, a 3.5-inch digital display is featured between the dials, and Google or Apple voice recognition can be activated simply by pressing a button on the steering wheel.

The optional Media Nav multimedia system includes a stylish 7.0-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a USB plug. You can also get air-conditioning, power mirror adjustments and a genuine spare wheel when you shop the full options list.

That's all on top of the Dacia Spring's standard safety features which include: a speed limiter, ABS, ESP, electronic brakeforce distribution, six airbags, emergency call (SOS button), automatic headlight activation and automatic emergency braking.

That's a lot to squeeze into an affordable little city car.

With a range of around 140 miles the Dacia Spring is also perfectly suited to life in the city. The 33kW (equivalent to 44hp) all-electric powertrain is paired with a 26.8kWh battery for smooth acceleration, silent running, and no vibration. It also offers a wide choice of charging options using either a 220V home socket using the cable supplied as standard, on a Wall box (with the available optional cable) or on a DC charging station.

The Dacia Spring Cargo

Dacia will even do you a Cargo utility version if you're looking for a small electric van for city use.

The Spring Electric Cargo features a boot that extends where the back seat is usually located, with a plastic lining on the floor and on the interior wheel arches, four anchor rings and a wire mesh partition separating the front passengers from the loading area. The loading length of this special version is 1,033mm, with a volume of 800 litres and a payload of 325kg.

Available in white, the Spring Electric Cargo comes with standard features including manual air-conditioning, hard-wearing fabric upholstery, and a radio that features Bluetooth, USB plug and a handy little area for a smartphone holder.

We may not know exactly when the Dacia Spring will arrive in the UK but based on the reception from European buyers, if you're looking for a practical and affordable electric city car this is definitely the one to go for.

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