Dacia Spring Moves Production to Europe and Could Cost Just €12,200 With Incentives
Dacia is making an important change to its affordable electric vehicle strategy. Renault Group's value-focused brand is moving production of the Dacia Spring from China to Europe, a decision that could make the small EV significantly more competitive in markets where government incentives are available.
The new Spring starts at €17,900, but French electric vehicle incentives could bring the effective price down to around €12,200. That would make it one of the most affordable electric cars available in Europe.
An EV Designed for Everyday City Driving
The Spring is not designed to compete with performance-oriented electric vehicles. Instead, its focus is simple: affordable and efficient transportation for everyday urban and suburban journeys.
The car uses a 27.5 kWh LFP battery that provides around 250 kilometers of WLTP range. Buyers can add a 50 kW DC fast-charging system for €500, allowing the battery to charge from 15% to 80% in roughly 28 minutes. Charging through a standard 6.6 kW outlet takes approximately nine hours.
Dacia's own usage data highlights the type of driver the Spring is targeting. The company says owners typically travel around 21 miles per day, while approximately 75% of charging takes place at home.
Performance is similarly modest. The Spring produces 80 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, making efficiency and low running costs more important than outright acceleration.
A More Substantial Design
Dacia has also redesigned the Spring rather than simply changing where it is built. The updated model is roughly 5.9 inches longer and 7.1 inches wider than its predecessor, giving it a more substantial appearance and creating additional room inside.
The front end now features sharper lines and more pronounced geometric elements, while slightly flared wheel arches give the car a stronger stance. Black accents at the front and rear add a sportier touch.
The result is a vehicle that looks less like a basic economy car and more like a modern compact crossover.
More Practical Interior
Despite its compact dimensions, the new Spring offers improved practicality. Cargo capacity has increased to around 11.9 cubic feet, while folding the 50:50 split rear seats expands the available space to approximately 45.3 cubic feet.
The cabin features a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen. Dacia has also retained physical buttons and controls instead of relying entirely on touch interfaces, providing quick access to essential functions while driving.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rear-view camera and keyless entry are available as additional features, although they require an extra payment of around €1,500.
Production Moves to Slovenia
European production of the Dacia Spring will take place at Renault's facility in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. The same plant also produces the Renault Twingo E-Tech city car.
Moving production to Europe could strengthen the Spring's position in the European market, particularly because government EV incentives vary significantly between countries. In markets such as France, subsidies based on vehicle eligibility and household income could substantially reduce the effective purchase price.
An Important Model for Renault's EV Strategy
The Spring has already become an important part of Renault Group's electric vehicle plans. Since its launch in 2021, the model has recorded around 210,000 sales worldwide, demonstrating that there is strong demand for inexpensive electric transportation.
Renault is under increasing pressure to expand its electrified vehicle lineup as European emissions regulations become more demanding. The company's long-term strategy therefore depends not only on premium electric models but also on affordable vehicles capable of attracting a much broader customer base.
Moving Spring production to Europe is consequently more than a manufacturing decision. It reflects a broader attempt to make electric mobility accessible to ordinary buyers.
With a potential effective price of around €12,200 in France after incentives, the Dacia Spring could become one of Europe's most compelling low-cost EV options—particularly for drivers whose daily journeys are short and who can charge at home.
