Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp

Overview

The Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp stormed onto the scene as Europe's super-affordable EV champion. This specific 2022 trim, though now discontinued, offered basic electric motoring for the masses. It’s a no-frills city slicker, perfect for nipping around town without breaking the bank. Its key appeal was pure, unadulterated value, making electric dreams accessible. With a used price around €8,870, it’s a proper bargain EV. This pocket rocket prioritised cost and urban practicality above all else, carving a unique niche in the electric market for budget-conscious buyers.

What's New for 2022?

The 2022 Dacia Spring, particularly this 45 hp variant, represented the car's early production run after its groundbreaking launch. Being one of the first widely available ultra-budget EVs in Europe was its main "new" factor. While the more potent 65 hp "Extreme" trim arrived later, this 33 kW version laid the groundwork. For 2022, Dacia also began rolling out its updated brand identity with a new "Dacia Link" emblem across its range, which the Spring would have started to feature, giving it a slightly refreshed, more modern look on the grille and tailgate.

Design & Exterior

The Spring Electric 45 hp boasts a cheeky, SUV-inspired city car look, despite its dinky dimensions. It stands 1516 mm tall, measures 3734 mm in length, and a slim 1579 mm in width (excluding mirrors), making it a breeze for tight city streets. You get Dacia’s signature Y-shaped LED daytime running lights, giving it a touch of modern flair. The 45 hp trim typically featured practical steel wheels with plastic covers, reinforcing its budget-friendly credentials. Its compact, upright stance and faux skid plates add to its surprisingly rugged, go-anywhere-in-the-city appeal.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the Spring Electric 45 hp, it’s all about function over finery. Expect a cabin built with durable, if not plush, hard plastics. It’s a strict four-seater, offering decent space for city hops. Cargo-wise, you get a surprisingly generous 290 litres in the boot, expanding to 631 litres with the rear seats tumbled. No frunk here, though! Tech was basic on this trim; a simple radio with Bluetooth was common, though some versions might have had the optional 7-inch Media Nav touchscreen with smartphone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don’t expect to win many drag races in the Spring Electric 45 hp! Its 33 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) delivers a modest 125 Nm of torque to the front wheels. This translates to a leisurely 0-100 km/h sprint of 19.1 seconds and a top speed of 125 km/h. It’s built for zipping through urban jungles, where its light steering and compact size shine. The ride is geared for comfort over agility, soaking up city bumps adequately. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, though it’s not overly aggressive.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Spring Electric 45 hp packs a 26.8 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 196 km – plenty for city duties. Its efficiency is rated at a decent 7.31 km/kWh. Charging is straightforward via its CCS Type 2 port: the standard 6.6 kW AC on-board charger can juice it up from empty in about 4-5 hours. For quicker top-ups, DC fast charging is available at up to 30 kW, getting you to 80% in under an hour. No fancy V2L, just honest EV basics.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety kit on the Spring Electric 45 hp is, shall we say, minimalist, reflected in its 1-star Euro NCAP rating from 2021. Standard features include essentials like ABS, ESP, six airbags, and automatic emergency braking (AEB), which is a plus. However, don't expect a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Features like parking sensors or a reversing camera were typically optional extras rather than standard on this entry-level trim. It’s a car that meets basic safety requirements but doesn’t push any boundaries in this department, keeping costs down.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Dacia’s warranty package for the Spring Electric 45 hp typically includes a 3-year/100,000 km basic vehicle guarantee across Europe, which is pretty standard. Crucially for an EV, the high-voltage battery usually comes with a more extended 8-year/120,000 km warranty, covering degradation to a certain percentage (often 70% state-of-health). Maintenance costs are generally low for EVs, and Dacia’s reputation for affordable servicing means keeping the Spring running shouldn’t empty your pockets. Reliability is generally decent for these simple, robustly engineered city cars.