The Dacia Spring is already one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) on sale right now, but the Romanian company has just made it that bit cheaper still by cutting the price for the 65hp Expression by almost €3,000.
How is such a thing even possible?
We're not sure. When we tested the Spring last year, the Irish range started at €16,990 for the 45hp Expression. The same trim level but with the more powerful (and we use that term relatively speaking) 65hp motor was €18,790, while the top-grade Extreme 65 was €19,990, with all prices inclusive of the €3,500 SEAI grant. But, rather incredibly, Dacia Ireland is now offering the middle of these three for €15,990 - €1,000 cheaper than the 45hp car was a year ago, and fully €2,800 less than the Expression 45's price in 2024.
What do I get for my minimal amount of money?
The only EV in Europe which weighs less than a tonne (1,000kg), the Spring has a 225km range with an electric consumption level of 13.5kWh/100km. It can DC fast-charge at 30kW max from 20-80 per cent battery in just 45 minutes (it only has a modest 26.8kWh power pack, not much bigger than some plug-in hybrids these days), and even an Expression like this comes with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a Media Control system with USB connectivity, cruise control with a speed limiter, rear parking sensors, electric front windows, manual air-conditioning, and Dacia's YouClip accessory mounting system, among more. You'll also enjoy a 308-litre boot, rising to 1,004 litres with the rear seats folded, and another 31 litres of in-cabin storage for the maximum of practicality.
And if I want more spec, how much is the Extreme 65 these days?
It's a none-too-shabby €17,990 (€2,000 less than before), and for the extra outlay you'll gain a 10.1-inch MediaNav system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a parking camera, and a vehicle-to-load adaptor. Anyway, stick with the Expression 65 and you can finance the Dacia Spring from just €99 a week on PCP, through the Mobilize Financial Services (MFS). Or, alternatively, there's a 0 per cent hire-purchase option instead.
This all sounds excellent. Can you quickly remind me of performance?
We can. With its 65hp motor providing 113Nm of torque, the 984kg Dacia Spring can go from 0-100km/h in 13.7 seconds. That might not sound quick, and it isn't really, but there's enough 'scooting power' for the little EV to be happy enough in its preferred environment of urban roads.