Affordable European EV
Dacia Confirms New Spring EV for Paris Debut, Features European Production
Key Points
At the origin of the project timeline, Renault’s then-boss Luca de Meo said Dacia could develop the new A-segment EV in “16 months,” adding: “I would defy any competitor to do that… including the Chinese,” while noting the Renault Twingo took 21 months.
Dacia suggests the cabin could adopt its accessory-focused “YouClip” system, with Express & Star reporting there’s “a good chance” the feature will be used in the new Spring.
Express & Star tied the Spring’s improved usability to the Twingo’s practicality, citing a “load capacity sitting at 360 litres” and that sliding rear seats can be moved to expand legroom (reducing boot space in the process). It also noted the Twingo’s fast-charge capability: “10 to 80 per cent… in around 30 minutes.”
EVPowered went beyond general platform sharing with predicted hardware for the 2027 Spring, saying it would be closely related to the upcoming Renault Twingo and could use an “82bhp front-mounted motor” paired with a “27.5kWh battery,” delivering “up to 163 miles” of range.
Fleet World added specifics about the current Spring model that the new car is designed to extend, including UK pricing and range: an RRP “starting from £14,995,” 70hp or 100hp motor options, a “24.3kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery,” and a WLTP driving range “of up to 140 miles.” It also highlighted the cargo variant, with 1,085 litres of space and a 370kg payload.
Dacia has confirmed its next electric city car will keep the "Spring" name and debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026, according to The Independent. Sales are expected to start in early 2027, with a target price of around £15,000 — potentially making it Britain's cheapest new car again.
The new Spring marks a clean break from the current model. Unlike today's car, which is built in China, the next generation will be made in Europe. It will share a platform with the upcoming Renault Twingo and is being developed in just 16 months — a pace Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo says no rival can match, "including the Chinese."
Moving Production to Europe to Dodge Tariffs
The original Spring launched in 2021 and sold nearly 210,000 units across Europe, according to EV Powered. But it was built in China, which became a problem. The EU approved tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese-made electric cars in late 2024, threatening Dacia's ability to keep prices low.
The solution is to build the new Spring in Europe. Dacia is likely to use Renault's "ElectriCity" cluster in northern France or its Mioveni plant in Romania. Building locally also means the car could qualify for green subsidies in countries like France, which already exclude Chinese-made EVs from social leasing schemes.
Renault Twingo Platform Brings More Space and Range
The new Spring will share its underpinnings with the Renault Twingo. EV Powered predicts it will use an 82bhp front-mounted motor and a 27.5kWh battery, delivering up to 163 miles of range. That is a big step up from the current model's 140-mile range and 24.3kWh battery, as reported by Fleet World.
The Twingo connection also means more practical packaging. Express & Star reported a boot capacity of 360 litres, with sliding rear seats that can trade boot space for extra legroom. Fast charging will take the battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes.
A 16-Month Build Pace Designed to Beat China
Renault CEO Luca de Meo set a bold target for the project: develop the new A-segment EV in just 16 months. He said he would "defy any competitor in the world to do that… including the Chinese when they come to Europe." By comparison, the Renault Twingo took 21 months to develop.
The speed is made possible by the AmpR Small platform, which cuts the total number of parts to around 750 — roughly 30% fewer than previous platforms. That reduces production costs by about 40% compared to the Renault 5, according to reports. The entire project is part of Dacia's "Leap 100" plan to cut development time from four years to just 100 weeks.
Price Target Puts Rivals Under Pressure
Dacia is aiming to price the new Spring at around £15,000 — matching the current model's £14,995 starting price, which Fleet World confirmed. The current Spring already offers a 70hp or 100hp motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery. The new car is expected to undercut the Renault Twingo by roughly €2,000.
That pricing puts real pressure on rivals like Volkswagen and Stellantis, who are still struggling to bring sub-€20,000 electric cars to market. Dacia also previewed plans for more EVs before 2030. The Spring's Paris reveal in October will be the first major test of whether its no-frills formula can survive the jump to a new generation.
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