Dacia has unveiled the second-generation Spring EV, priced from €17,900, as Renault Group’s value brand prepares to challenge the growing wave of affordable electric cars. The redesigned electric minicar is larger, more capable, and, crucially, will be manufactured in Europe instead of China.
European Production Changes the Game
Production will shift to Renault’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia. This strategic move enables the Spring to qualify for local electric vehicle incentives and avoids the European Union’s additional tariffs on China-made EVs.
The Dacia Spring EV Launch is particularly important in France, Dacia’s biggest market. The outgoing Chinese-built Spring was excluded from a French subsidy programme designed to help lower-income buyers purchase electric cars. Local manufacturing could make the new model more competitive and help Dacia regain ground during Europe’s affordable-EV expansion.
Bigger Design, Efficient LFP Battery
The new Spring is 18 cm longer than its predecessor and adopts a more rugged, muscular appearance. It is powered by an 80-horsepower electric motor and a 27.5-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
Despite its compact battery, Dacia claims a WLTP driving range of up to 250 km, or 155 miles. Energy consumption is rated at an efficient 12.7 kWh per 100 km, reinforcing the Spring’s focus on low-cost urban mobility.
Charging and Technology Upgrades
Standard versions support 6.6 kW AC charging. An optional package increases AC charging capacity to 11 kW and adds 50 kW DC fast charging, enabling a 15% to 80% recharge in approximately 28 minutes.
Every version receives a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. The higher Journey trim adds a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and Vehicle-to-Load capability, allowing the battery to power compatible external electrical equipment. These upgrades make the Dacia Spring EV Launch more practical for modern buyers without abandoning its budget positioning.
Taking on Affordable EV Rivals
With a starting price below €18,000, the Spring will compete against the Citroën ë-C3, Leapmotor T03, and upcoming affordable models from BYD. Its combination of European production, subsidy eligibility, and accessible pricing could become a decisive advantage.
Dacia has sold 210,000 Spring EVs since 2021. Developed in just 16 months with support from engineers in China, the new model is also the first of four electric vehicles Dacia plans to launch by 2030.
The Dacia Spring EV Launch signals an ambitious reset: a larger, better-equipped electric car built closer to European customers and positioned against intensifying Chinese competition.
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