Dacia Spring Review 2026: Is the UK's Cheapest EV Any Good?
The Dacia Spring is known to be the UK's cheapest new electric car, from £11,990 on the road: light, simple and inexpensive to run, with a 140-mile range and a 1-star Euro NCAP rating. On salary sacrifice at 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, it's one of the most affordable ways into an EV.
What Is The Dacia Spring, And Why Should I Care?
Dacia was founded in Romania in 1966 to make modern, reliable, and affordable cars. After Renault acquired the brand in 1999, Dacia became known for offering straightforward vehicles that prioritise value over unnecessary complexity.
The Dacia Spring is the brand’s first fully electric model, representing one of the most affordable entry points into electric driving in the UK. With a list price between £11,990 and £12,990, it continues to undercut most other new EVs on sale.
Who Is The Dacia Spring Designed For?
The Spring is designed for drivers who want to reduce running costs and emissions without taking on high monthly payments. It is particularly well-suited to:
Urban and suburban commuters
Drivers covering short daily distances
First-time EV drivers
What Makes The Dacia Spring One Of The UK’s Cheapest EVs?
While cheaper electric quadricycles exist, the Spring stands out as a fully road-legal five-door car with real-world usability. It bridges the gap between ultra-basic mobility solutions and higher-priced electric hatchbacks.
The Spring is built in China, so it doesn't qualify for the UK government's Electric Car Grant. Its low price instead comes from a discount Dacia funds itself, which took the on-the-road price below £12,000 for the first time on 1 July 2026.
Dacia Spring: Specs, Range and Performance at a Glance
| Specification | Powertrain | Battery Size | 0-62mph | Range (WLTP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expression (Electric 70) | 70bhp | 24.3kWh | Not yet published | Up to 140 miles |
| Extreme (Electric 100) | 100bhp | 24.3kWh | 9.6 seconds | Up to 140 miles |
There are two trim levels: Expression and Extreme, and two powertrains: Electric 70 and Electric 100
The 70 produces 70bhp (brake horsepower), while the Electric 100 increases output to 100bhp. Both versions use the same 24.3kWh battery, delivering a claimed WLTP combined range of up to 140 miles (Dacia also quotes up to 195 miles on the more generous WLTP urban cycle).
Image source: Shutterstock
The Spring measures 3.7 metres long, has a tight turning circle (that's noticeably tighter than most small hatchbacks, which independent reviewers consistently rate as one of its strongest points), and weighs just 984kg, making it one of the lightest EVs available. This low weight plays a key role in its efficiency and low running costs.
Expression Vs Extreme: Which Trim Should You Choose?
| Feature | Expression (Electric 70) | Extreme (Electric 100) |
|---|---|---|
| On-the-road price | £11,990 | £12,990 |
| Power | 70bhp | 100bhp |
| Infotainment | Smartphone mount with Dacia Media Display app | 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Parking sensors | Rear only | Front and rear, with reversing camera |
| Door mirrors | Manual | Heated and electrically adjustable |
| Rear windows | Manual | Electric |
| Other highlights | Air conditioning, cruise control, 7-inch digital driver display | Copper-accented interior and exterior trim, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) |
The Expression trim includes air conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and essential safety systems. Instead of a built-in infotainment screen, it uses a smartphone mount with a dedicated Dacia app.
The Extreme trim adds a larger infotainment screen, smartphone integration, upgraded interior materials, and exterior styling enhancements.
Is The Extreme Trim Worth The Extra Cost?
For drivers who value integrated navigation and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the Extreme trim may justify the small increase in monthly cost. For those focused purely on affordability, the Expression trim is good value and will get the job done.
What’s The Dacia Spring Like To Drive And Live With?
Early reviews suggest the Spring is tuned primarily for city driving. The suspension copes well with uneven road surfaces, and the elevated driving position provides good visibility.
City And Motorway Driving
In town, the Spring feels agile and easy to manoeuvre. On motorways, it is capable but less refined than larger EVs, with range reducing at sustained higher speeds. It is best suited to shorter motorway journeys rather than frequent long-distance driving.
It's also worth knowing that the Spring holds a 1-star Euro NCAP rating from its original 2021 test, and Dacia has confirmed it won't resubmit the car for retesting until 2027. This is an important factor to consider against the price. Euro NCAP is the independent body that crash-tests new cars sold in Europe and the UK, scoring them out of 5 stars across categories including adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assistance systems. A 1-star rating is the lowest band on that scale, meaning the Spring scored well below most rivals on crash protection when it was tested. This is an important factor to weigh against the price.
How Practical Is The Dacia Spring’s Interior?
The interior prioritises function over luxury. Materials are durable rather than premium, controls are simple, and visibility is good thanks to large windows.
Rear passenger space is limited but usable, particularly for children. The 308-litre boot comfortably accommodates everyday errands such as a weekly shop.
How Much Does The Dacia Spring Cost Through Salary Sacrifice?
Salary sacrifice allows employees to lease an electric car using gross salary, reducing income tax and National Insurance. In practice, that means your employer deducts an agreed amount from your salary before income tax and National Insurance are calculated, then uses that amount to lease the car on your behalf. Because the sacrificed amount no longer counts as taxable pay, you keep more of your income, and the only tax charged directly on the car itself is Benefit-in-Kind, currently 4% for 2026/27. This often makes the Spring significantly cheaper than personal leasing or buying outright.
Dacia Spring Expression 70: salary sacrifice costs (3-year lease, 10,000 miles a year, flat payment profile)
| Dacia Spring Expression 70 | Basic Rate Taxpayer (£40,000) | Higher Rate Taxpayer (£70,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly salary sacrifice (inc. VAT) | £311 | £311 |
| Employee income tax savings | -£125 | -£187 |
| Employee National Insurance savings | -£6 | -£6 |
| Average Benefit-in-Kind tax over term | £24 | £35 |
| Net cost / you pay | £204 | £154 |
These figures are for the Expression 70 on a 3-year lease at 10,000 miles a year with a flat payment profile, and they're inclusive of VAT. Benefit-in-Kind is calculated at 4%. Employees typically save 20–50% compared with a personal lease, though the exact figure depends on salary, tax band, and mileage. Monthly pricing usually includes insurance, servicing, maintenance, breakdown cover, and tyres.
How Does The Dacia Spring Compare To Other Affordable EVs?
| Feature | Dacia Spring | MG4 | Fiat 500e | Nissan Leaf (used) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRP | £11,990 | From £23,495 (Urban trim) | From £20,995 | £12,000–£18,000 |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 140 miles | 218 miles | 199 miles | 150–215 miles |
| Boot space | 308L | 363L | 185L | 435L |
| 0–62mph | 9.6s (Extreme 100); not yet published for Expression 70 | 7.7s | 9.0s | 7.9–10.5s |
| Salary sacrifice (higher-rate taxpayer) | £154/month (Expression 70, net cost) | TBC, confirm via quote tool | TBC, confirm via quote tool | TBC, confirm via quote tool |
| Best for | Lowest-cost new EV | All-round daily use | Style-led city driving | Used value seekers |
The Spring focuses on minimum cost and simplicity, while other models trade affordability for range, performance, or design.
If range matters more to you than headline price, the MG4 and Fiat 500e both offer more miles per charge for a few thousand pounds more, and it's worth browsing the wider field of budget-friendly options before deciding. A used Nissan Leaf sits closest to the Spring on price, and a used EV through salary sacrifice is generally worth comparing directly against a new Spring, since the gap in monthly cost can be smaller than the RRPs suggest.
Whichever car you're weighing up, you can compare them side by side using The Electric Car Scheme’s quote tool to see the real monthly difference for your own salary and mileage.
How Much Does It Cost To Run The Dacia Spring?
Thanks to its small battery, the Spring is inexpensive to run.
Estimated annual costs (10,000 miles):
Electricity: ~£360 (home charging, off-peak)
Insurance: ~£650 (included via salary sacrifice)
Maintenance: ~£120 (included via salary sacrifice)
Road tax: EVs no longer qualify for VED exemption from April 2025. A modest annual rate now applies (standard VED is ~£200/year from April 2026).
Who Is The Dacia Spring Perfect For (And Who Should Look Elsewhere)?
Ideal for:
Urban commuters
Short daily journeys (under 30 miles)
First-time EV drivers
Second-car households
Cost-conscious employees
Consider alternatives if:
You regularly drive 50+ miles daily
You need premium interiors
You frequently carry four or five adults
You prioritise motorway comfort
How To Get a Dacia Spring Through The Electric Car Scheme
If your employer offers an electric car salary sacrifice scheme, you can choose the Dacia Spring through The Electric Car Scheme’s online platform. If not, employers can register at no cost and offer the benefit without financial risk.
The Electric Car Scheme is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews, with 97% of customers saying they'd recommend it. It's also a certified B Corp and was named EV Salary Sacrifice Provider of the Year 2026 by SME News. If you're comparing the Spring against other options, it's worth browsing the full range of cars under £250 a month before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dacia Spring
Image source: Shutterstock
Is the Dacia Spring Really the Cheapest Electric Car in the UK?
Yes, for fully road-legal electric cars designed for everyday use. At £11,990 on the road for the Expression 70, it undercuts every other new electric car sold in Britain, and every new petrol or diesel car too. Its nearest rival on price is the Leapmotor T03, which the Spring still beats by close to £1,000.
Is 140 Miles of Range Enough?
For most daily driving, yes. The average UK journey is under 10 miles, so even a regular 30-mile round-trip commute uses only a fraction of the battery. Range becomes more of a limiting factor on longer trips or motorway runs, where it drops away faster at sustained higher speeds, so the Spring suits drivers who mostly stay local rather than those covering long distances regularly.
How Long Does It Take to Charge?
Around 4–5 hours on a 7kW home charger, or roughly 29 minutes on a rapid charger at up to 40kW. Most owners are expected to charge at home overnight rather than rely on public rapid chargers day to day, since the small battery makes a full charge quick and cheap on a home wallbox. A standard three-pin domestic socket will also work, though it takes considerably longer.
Does the Dacia Spring Qualify for Government Grants?
No. The Spring is built in China and doesn't meet the eligibility criteria for the UK government's Electric Car Grant. This is a common point of confusion, since Dacia's own £3,750 discount is often mistaken for the government scheme. Its low price instead comes from Dacia's own funded discount, and salary sacrifice savings remain significant on top of that.
What's the Dacia Spring's Safety Rating?
The Spring holds a 1-star Euro NCAP rating from its original 2021 test. Dacia has confirmed it won't resubmit the car for retesting until 2027, despite adding driver assistance features such as lane-keeping and automatic emergency braking as part of the 2026 update. Euro NCAP scores cars out of 5 stars across adult occupant, child occupant, and safety assist protection, so a 1-star result is a genuine consideration for anyone cross-shopping the Spring against safer, pricier rivals.
The Dacia Spring earns its reputation as the UK's cheapest new electric car without much compromise for the job it's built to do. From £11,990 on the road, with a 140-mile range, a 24.3kWh battery and DC rapid charging in under half an hour, it covers daily commuting and short trips comfortably.
That being said, the trade-offs are real, too: a 1-star Euro NCAP rating that Dacia won't retest until 2027, and a range that thins out on motorway runs. Weighed against rivals like the MG4 and Fiat 500e, the Spring wins clearly on price and loses ground on range and boot space, which makes it best suited to urban commuters, first-time EV drivers, and second-car households rather than a family's only car.
On salary sacrifice through The Electric Car Scheme, that affordability goes further still. At 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, a higher-rate taxpayer on the Expression 70 pays a net cost of around £154 a month, including insurance, servicing, maintenance, and breakdown cover, on a 3-year lease at 10,000 miles a year. That figure covers the Expression 70 specifically; get in touch for a personalised quote on the Extreme 100.
Calculate your Savings on a Dacia Spring by visiting The Electric Car Scheme’s quote tool.
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Last updated: 05/01/2026
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme's terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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