You want an electric car. But prices keep climbing. The average EV now costs over £40,000. Then you hear about the Dacia Spring. A brand new EV for around £15,000. This Dacia Spring review cuts through the marketing.
You will learn the real-world range, exact running costs, charging times, and who should actually buy one. If you are comparing affordable electric cars, visiting a budget EV specialist can help you see the Spring alongside its competitors.
What Is the Dacia Spring?
The Dacia Spring is a small electric city car. Dacia launched it in the UK in 2024. It is one of the cheapest new EVs on the market.
The Spring measures just 3.7 metres long. That is shorter than a Ford Fiesta. It seats four people. It has a boot. It runs on electricity only.
Dacia designed it for city driving, not motorway cruising.
Dacia Spring Price & Trim Levels (2026 UK)
Dacia offers the Spring in three trim levels. Prices include VAT but exclude the Government grant (where available).
| Trim Level | Price (approx) | Key Features |
| Essential | £14,995 | Manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, electric front windows |
| Expression | £16,295 | Adds 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, cruise control |
| Extreme | £17,495 | Adds heated front seats, rear-view camera, upgraded upholstery |
All trims include a 6.6kW on-board charger. None includes rapid charging as standard.
Real-World Range & Charging (Honest Numbers)
The official WLTP range is 140 miles. Real-world driving gives different numbers.
Range by driving condition (summer, 18-22°C):
| Driving Type | Expected Range | Notes |
| Pure city driving (30 mph or less) | 120-130 miles | Regenerative braking adds range |
| Mixed city and A-roads | 100-115 miles | Typical UK commute |
| Motorway at 65 mph | 85-95 miles | Aerodynamics hurt efficiency |
| Winter driving (0-5°C) | 70-90 miles | Heating uses battery power |
Charging times by charger type:
| Charger Type | Power | 0-80% Time | 0-100% Time |
| Standard 3-pin plug | 2.3kW | 10-12 hours | 14-16 hours |
| Home wallbox | 7kW | 3.5-4 hours | 5-6 hours |
| Public AC charger | 22kW | 2.5-3 hours | 3.5-4 hours |
| Public rapid (DC) | 30kW (max) | 45-55 minutes | 75-90 minutes |
The Spring cannot accept 50kW or 150kW rapid charging. Its maximum is 30kW. This makes long journeys impractical.
Running Costs – How Much Cheaper Than Petrol?
This is where the Spring wins.
Cost per mile calculation (home charging):
| Item | Cost |
| Electricity price (off-peak) | 7.5-9.5p per kWh |
| Battery size (usable) | 26.8 kWh |
| Full charge cost | £2.00-£2.50 |
| Real-world range (mixed driving) | 100-115 miles |
| Cost per mile | 2-2.5p |
Annual running cost comparison vs petrol city car:
| Expense | Dacia Spring | Petrol City Car (50mpg) |
| Fuel/energy (10,000 miles/year) | £200-£250 | £1,300-£1,500 |
| Road tax (VED) | £0 | £20-£180 (first year) |
| Congestion charge (London, daily) | £0 | £15 |
| Service (annual) | £100-£150 | £150-£250 |
| Annual saving | – | £1,100-£1,500 approximately |
The Spring pays for its price premium over a petrol city car within 3-4 years of driving.
Space, Comfort & Practicality
The Spring is small outside but clever inside.
Key dimensions:
- Length: 3.73 metres
- Width: 1.62 metres
- Height: 1.51 metres
- Boot space: 308 litres (seats up) / 1,004 litres (seats folded)
For context, a Vauxhall Corsa has 309 litres of boot space. The Spring matches a supermini for luggage.
What fits:
- Four adults for short journeys (up to 30 minutes)
- Weekly grocery shop for two people
- Two suitcases plus backpacks
- A folded pram or pushchair
What does not fit:
- Five people (four seatbelts only)
- Tall adults in the back for long drives
- IKEA flatpacks longer than 1.5 metres
Safety Rating – The Big Compromise
The Dacia Spring received a Euro NCAP safety rating of 0 stars in 2025.
This sounds terrible. The context matters.
Euro NCAP changed its testing in 2024. Cars without advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) cannot earn high scores. The Spring lacks:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control
What the Spring does have:
- Driver and passenger airbags
- Side airbags
- Seatbelt reminders
- ISOFIX child seat mounts
For low-speed city driving, the safety risk is manageable. For motorway driving with children, consider a safer car.
Dacia Spring vs Competitors (Comparison Table)
| Model | Starting Price | Range (WLTP) | Boot Space | Safety Rating | Best For |
| Dacia Spring | £14,995 | 140 miles | 308L | 0 stars (2025) | Budget city driving |
| Citroen Ami | £7,695 | 46 miles | 63L | Not tested | Micro city car only |
| Fiat 500e | £26,195 | 199 miles | 185L | 4 stars (2021) | Style and city use |
| Used Nissan Leaf (2018-2022) | £12,000-£16,000 | 168-239 miles | 435L | 5 stars (2018) | Best value used EV |
| BYD Dolphin | £26,195 | 211 miles | 345L | 5 stars (2024) | Family budget EV |
The Spring’s only true competitor at its price point is the used Nissan Leaf. The Leaf offers more range, more space, and a much higher safety rating. But it is used, not new.
Who Should Buy the Dacia Spring? (And Who Should Not)
Buy the Spring if:
- You drive less than 8,000 miles per year
- Most of your trips are within 20 miles of home
- You have off-street parking for home charging
- You want the cheapest new EV available
- This is your second car for local errands
Do not buy the Spring if:
- You regularly drive on motorways
- You have no home charging (public charging is slow)
- You need to carry three children
- Safety is your top priority
- This will be your family’s only car
2026 Updates That Matter
Three changes this year affect the Dacia Spring.
Used prices are dropping. Early 2024 cars now sell for £12,000-£13,000. A used Spring offers even better value.
The charging network grows. But the 30kW charging limit remains. New 150kW chargers do not help you. You still wait 45-55 minutes.
No major update from Dacia. The 2026 model is unchanged. If you want one, buy used or wait for a facelift.
Real Owner Verdict (Summary of UK Reviews)
Common praises:
- “Cheapest new EV you can buy”
- “Parking is laughably easy.”
- “Running costs are tiny.”
- “Perfect for school runs and shopping.”
Common complaints:
- “Motorway range is poor.”
- “Slow charging makes road trips painful.”
- “Safety rating worried me.”
- “Seats get uncomfortable after an hour.”
Overall owner satisfaction: 4.2/5 stars from 500+ UK owner reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real range of a Dacia Spring in winter?
70-90 miles. Heating the cabin uses significant battery power.
Can I charge a Dacia Spring at home?
Yes. Use a standard 3-pin plug or install a 7kW wallbox.
Is the Dacia Spring good for motorway driving?
No. Range drops to 85-95 miles. Charging stops take nearly an hour. The car feels light at speed.
Does the Dacia Spring have four or five seats?
Four seats only. The rear bench has two seatbelts.
What is the boot space in litres?
308 litres with seats up. 1,004 litres with rear seats folded.
Is the Dacia Spring ULEZ compliant?
Yes. All electric cars are ULEZ and Congestion Charge exempt.
Final Verdict
| Pros | Cons |
| Very low purchase price | 0-star Euro NCAP safety rating |
| Extremely cheap to run (2p per mile) | Slow charging (30kW max) |
| Easy to park in cities | Poor motorway range |
| Surprisingly practical boot (308L) | Uncomfortable on long drives |
| ULEZ and Congestion Charge exempt | No ADAS safety features |
Verdict: The Dacia Spring is the smartest budget EV for a very specific driver. City dweller. Home charging. Short trips. Second car.
For anyone else, a used Nissan Leaf offers better value, more range, and higher safety.
Test drive both before you decide. A budget EV specialist can arrange back-to-back test drives. They help you compare real-world range, charging, and comfort.
Spring is not perfect. But at £15,000 new or £12,000 used, it opens electric driving to people who could not afford it before. That is undeniably smart.