Dacia Spring: the cheapest urban electric car aiming to conquer the city

Small, simple and surprisingly efficient, the Dacia Spring positions itself as the ultimate entry-level electric car for everyday urban mobility.

The Dacia Spring is currently one of the smallest and most affordable electric cars on the market, with a starting price of around €17,000, clearly undercutting rivals such as the Citroën ë-C3 and the Fiat 500e. Measuring just 3.70 metres in length, very close in size to a Hyundai i10, it proves that urban electrification does not have to be expensive or complicated. Its philosophy is straightforward: only what is truly necessary to move around the city at the lowest possible cost.

Realistic range and a 100% urban focus

Despite its compact dimensions, the Spring houses a 26.8 kWh battery pack beneath the floor, enough to deliver an official 225 km driving range. In real-world urban use–where this car feels most at home–it can exceed 290 km per charge, according to Dacia, and even approach 300 km in real conditions with consumption figures as low as 8.9 kWh/100 km. On faster roads, however, range drops to around 200 km, making it clear that the Spring is not designed for long-distance travel.

The mechanical line-up consists of two versions: a basic 44 hp model that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 19.1 seconds, and a more recommendable 64 hp version that cuts this time to 13.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 km/h. With no sporting ambitions–nor any need for them–the Spring feels responsive up to 80 km/h and is perfectly effective in city traffic, though it lacks urgency at higher speeds.

On the road, the Spring prioritises ease of use. Its light steering and tight 9.6-metre turning circle make it an ideal companion for urban manoeuvring and parking. Push it harder through faster corners and noticeable body roll appears, while the basic suspension struggles with bumps and speed humps, sending some jolts into the cabin. Fortunately, the seats help absorb part of the impact.

Inside, the Spring delivers exactly what you would expect at this end of the market: hard plastics, simple finishes and a functional layout, yet well organised. Front space is reasonable, although taller drivers will feel restricted, and rear legroom is limited. Positively, the 308-litre boot is impressive for its size, matching some larger electric hatchbacks. Standard equipment is generous, including rear parking sensors, USB ports, cruise control and a 12V socket, with optional extras such as a 10-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and alloy wheels.

Ultimately, the Dacia Spring stands out for being honest, practical and extremely affordable, three key qualities in today’s electric mobility landscape. It does not aim to impress with performance or luxury, but rather with accessibility–a philosophy that, in its own way, echoes the modern Formula 1 focus on efficiency and maximum energy utilisation. For city driving, few electric cars offer so much for so little.