The Dacia Spring EV has long been known as one of the cheapest electric cars on the market, and for 2026 it has become even better value. Thanks to the £3,750 Dacia Electric Car Grant, prices now start from just £12,240, making electric car ownership more affordable than ever. With rising interest in electric vehicles, this could be the perfect time for buyers to make the switch.
Dacia Expands Its Affordable Car Line-Up
Dacia first revealed the updated Spring back in October, and we can now see the full pricing and specifications of the facelifted model. Alongside the refreshed Spring, Dacia has also updated the Sandero, which now starts at around £14,000, continuing the brand’s focus on low-cost, practical cars.
Positioned as a Practical Everyday Electric Car
In a market where many new electric vehicles from larger, more premium brands are priced well out of reach, Dacia continues to focus on keeping costs low. This approach places the Dacia Spring in a sensible position, particularly for drivers who want a straightforward car for everyday use rather than long-distance travel. While its range sits at the lower end of the EV market, it is more than sufficient for typical daily journeys, making the Spring a practical and cost-effective option.
Smaller Battery but Unchanged Driving Range
The latest version of the Dacia Spring introduces a smaller 24.3kWh battery. According to Dacia, this revised battery design improves both chassis stiffness and weight distribution. Despite the reduced battery size, the claimed range remains unchanged at 140 miles, helped by aerodynamic updates such as smoother airflow beneath the car and a redesigned rear spoiler to reduce drag.
Faster Charging for the Extreme 100 Model
The onboard DC charging has been increased from 30kW to 40kW on the Extreme 100, allowing the battery to charge from 20 to 80 per cent in around 29 minutes. Both versions of the car, the Expression 70 and the Extreme 100, support 7kW AC charging, which takes approximately three hours and twenty minutes for a full charge.
Improved Performance Over the Previous Model
In terms of performance, the Expression 70 produces 69bhp, while the Extreme 100 offers a more powerful 99bhp motor. That said, this is still a car designed for sensible driving rather than outright speed. The Expression 70 reaches 0–62mph in 12.3 seconds, while the Extreme 100 improves on this with a time of 9.6 seconds. This is a significant upgrade compared to the previous 44bhp version, which took 19.1 seconds to reach 62mph. For drivers who occasionally need to use faster roads or motorways, the added performance is a welcome and necessary improvement.
Strong Standard Equipment at a Low Price
The standard model starts at around £12,000, and for the price you actually get a lot. Although it comes with a less powerful motor, it still includes useful features like air conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and a digital driver display. It also has a strong set of safety and driver-assistance features, such as traffic sign recognition and lane-keep assist, which is impressive at this price point.
Extreme 100 Adds Power, Tech and Extra Features
For just £1,000 more, the Extreme 100 really steps things up. It comes with a more powerful 99bhp motor and adds some stylish copper-accented details. You also get electric rear windows, a large 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus extra parking tech like a reversing camera and front parking sensors. On top of that, it even offers vehicle-to-load capability, making it feel like great value for the money.
With prices starting at just £12,240, the new Dacia Spring could be one of the most accessible ways yet for UK buyers to switch to electric motoring.
