Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp

Overview

The Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp was Europe's poster child for no-frills, budget-friendly electric motoring. Essentially a compact city car with SUV-like styling touches, it focused on delivering the EV essentials without breaking the bank. This 45 hp version was all about urban agility and super low running costs, making it an accessible entry into electric driving. As a discontinued model (production ended in 2024), it's now a compelling used buy, with typical prices around €10,950 in the EU market, offering a rock-bottom entry point to EV ownership.

What's New for 2024?

For the 2024 model year, the Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp was essentially a carry-over, marking the final iteration of this generation before an all-new Spring was announced for later release. There weren't significant new features or updates for this specific 45 hp trim in its concluding production run. It soldiered on with its proven, ultra-affordable package, representing the last chance to grab this version new before it was officially discontinued mid-2024. The focus remained on its core proposition: basic, affordable electric mobility for the European market.

Design & Exterior

The Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp sports a compact, somewhat utilitarian design with a cheerful, mini-SUV vibe thanks to its raised stance and roof rails. It's refreshingly honest and unpretentious. Dimensions are city-perfect at 3734 mm long, 1579 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1516 mm tall. The 45 hp trim typically featured basic steel wheels with covers and straightforward lighting. Its diminutive size makes it a doddle to navigate and park in tight urban jungles, truly a car designed for the city grind rather than outright posing.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Spring Electric 45 hp is a lesson in cost-effective functionality. Expect plenty of hard plastics, but it’s all sturdily put together. It officially seats four, though rear legroom is best for shorter trips or kids. Cargo space is surprisingly decent for its class, offering 290 litres in the boot, expanding to 631 litres with the rear seats folded. No frunk here, though. Tech in this base trim is minimal: often a simple radio with Bluetooth and a smartphone cradle, rather than a large built-in touchscreen, keeping distractions and costs low.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect Tesla-baiting launches; the Spring Electric 45 hp’s 33 kW (45 hp) PMSM motor delivers 125 Nm of torque to the front wheels, resulting in a leisurely 0-100 km/h sprint of 19.1 seconds. Its natural habitat is the city, where its light steering and compact size make it wonderfully nippy and easy to park. Top speed is 125 km/h, so while it can manage occasional motorway trips, it's happiest zipping through urban traffic. The ride is geared for soaking up city bumps, though can feel a bit bouncy.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Spring Electric 45 hp uses a 26.8 kWh (usable) battery pack, delivering a real-world range estimated by Green Cars Compare at around 196 km – plenty for city commutes. Its efficiency is a tidy 7.31 km/kWh. Charging is straightforward: the standard 6.6 kW AC on-board charger can replenish the battery in about 4-5 hours. For quicker top-ups, it supports DC fast charging via its CCS Type 2 port (located on the front grille) at up to 30 kW, getting you to 80% in around 50 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp scored a 1-star rating from Euro NCAP, reflecting its budget-focused approach to safety equipment. Standard features include essentials like ABS, ESP, emergency brake assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and multiple airbags. Given its price point, advanced driver-assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control or comprehensive lane-keeping assist were not typically part of the package for this entry-level trim, though some later models included mandatory basic AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) systems.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Dacia typically offers a straightforward warranty package in Europe. For the Spring Electric, this generally included a 3-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty. Crucially for an EV, the battery pack usually came with an 8-year/120,000 km warranty, often guaranteeing at least 70-75% of its original capacity. Maintenance costs are characteristically low for Dacia, and even lower for EVs due to fewer moving parts. Reliability is generally good, benefiting from simpler electric powertrain technology and Dacia's robust, no-nonsense engineering.