The Dacia Spring is a compact electric car that offers a practical and economical way to go green. The Spring is the first all-electric model from Dacia, a Romanian brand owned by Renault. The Spring is based on the Renault City K-ZE, a low-cost electric car sold in China. The Spring aims to bring the benefits of electric mobility to a wider audience in Europe, where it is expected to be the cheapest electric car on the market.
What’s New for 2024?The Dacia Spring was launched in 2021 as a 2022 model. For 2024, the Spring gets a minor facelift that makes it more appealing than ever. The changes include:
- A new front grille with a chrome strip and a larger Dacia logo.
- New LED headlights with a signature lighting pattern that resembles a Y shape.
- New wheel designs with a diamond-cut finish and a blue accent.
- A new color option called Spring Green, which is a metallic light green that matches the car’s eco-friendly character.
- A new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless smartphone charger.
- A new safety package that includes lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
These updates make the Spring more attractive, modern, and safe than before, while retaining its affordable price and low running costs.
How Does It Perform?The 2024 Dacia Spring is powered by a 33 kW (44 hp) electric motor that drives the front wheels. The motor is fed by a 26.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a WLTP range of 140 miles. The Spring can be charged using a standard household outlet, a wallbox, or a public fast charger. The charging times are as follows:
- Standard outlet (2.3 kW): 14 hours for a full charge.
- Wallbox (3.7 kW): 8.5 hours for a full charge.
- Wallbox (7.4 kW): 5 hours for a full charge.
- Public fast charger (30 kW): 50 minutes for an 80% charge.
The Spring is not a speed demon, as it can only reach a top speed of 78 mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 19.1 seconds. However, the Spring is not meant to be a performance car, but rather a city car that can handle urban traffic and parking with ease. The Spring has a turning circle of 9.6 meters and a length of 3.73 meters, making it agile and compact. The Spring also has a regenerative braking system that helps to recover energy and extend the range.
How Is It Inside?The Dacia Spring has a simple and functional interior that offers a surprising amount of space for a small car. The Spring can seat four adults comfortably, thanks to its high roof and smart packaging. The Spring has a boot capacity of 300 liters, which can be expanded to 600 liters by folding the rear seats. The Spring also has 21 liters of storage space in the cabin, including a glove box, a central console, and door pockets.
The Spring has a minimalist dashboard that features a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system. The instrument cluster displays the speed, the battery level, the driving mode, and the range. The infotainment system allows the driver to access the radio, the navigation, the phone, and the settings. The infotainment system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which enable the driver to use their smartphone apps on the screen. The Spring also has a wireless smartphone charger that can keep the phone juiced up without any cables.
The Spring has a basic but adequate level of equipment, which includes:
- Manual air conditioning
- Electric windows
- Remote central locking
- Power steering
- Cruise control
- Rear parking sensors
- Rearview camera
The Spring also has a safety package that adds some advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as:
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
These features help to prevent accidents and enhance visibility.
How Much Does It Cost?The 2024 Dacia Spring is expected to be the most affordable electric car in Europe, with a starting price of around $14,900. This price is before any government incentives or tax credits, which can lower the cost even further. For example, in France, the Spring can qualify for a bonus of up to $8,000, which can bring the price down to $5,000. The Spring is also cheap to run, as it has low maintenance costs and zero emissions. The Spring can save the owner up to $1,200 per year on fuel and $600 per year on servicing compared to a gasoline car.
The Spring is available in two trim levels: Comfort and Comfort Plus. The Comfort trim is the base model that comes with the essential features, such as the manual air conditioning, the electric windows, the remote central locking, the power steering, the cruise control, the rear parking sensors, and the rearview camera. The Comfort Plus trim is the upgraded model that adds the LED headlights, the diamond-cut wheels, the touchscreen infotainment system, the wireless smartphone charger, and the safety package.
Is It Worth It?The 2024 Dacia Spring is a great option for anyone who wants to switch to electric without breaking the bank. The Spring offers a practical and economical way to enjoy the benefits of electric mobility, such as zero emissions, low running costs, and quiet driving. The Spring is also attractive, modern, and safe, thanks to its facelift, its infotainment system, and its driver assistance systems. The Spring is not a fast or luxurious car, but it is a reliable and versatile car that can handle daily commuting and short trips with ease. The Spring is the best value for money electric car in Europe, and it is worth considering for anyone who wants to go green on a budget.