► Dacia updates its cheap Spring EV
► New electric motors and chassis tweaks
► But its biggest problem hasn’t been fixed
Dacia has confirmed that its updated Spring electric car will cost from £12,240 in the UK, thanks to the Government’s electric car grant. The Spring qualifies for the grant’s full £3,750 amount, dropping the Spring’s basic £15,990 price to that £12k figure.
And that’s on top of the electric supermini being upgraded for 2026, introducing more power and a new battery – as well as some usability upgrades.
The current look, which arrived in 2024, has barely changed with the updated version. A set of new fairings around the bottom edges, as well as a very slight new spoiler are designed to improve aerodynamics are all you’re really getting in terms of different visuals.
It’s what’s underneath that’s changed much more significantly. The old 44 and 64bhp motors have been thrown out, with new 69 and 99bhp ones (badged Electric 70 and Electric 100 respectively) added to replace them. The 69bhp motor is tied to Expression trim, with the 99bhp one mated to the better-equipped Extreme.
Dacia points to the biggest benefit being a vast increase in 50-70mph acceleration – something of a weak point of the original car. ‘If your daily life is mainly just urban driving, the 70 will be perfectly fine,’ says Spring product leader, Herve Barriere. ‘If you have to take highways more often, the extra power [in the 100] will be interesting for those buyers.’
A new 24.3kWh LFP battery not only charges at a faster DC rate – 40kW (up from 30kW) – but has moved to a different location. It was originally placed over the rear axle, but is now placed under the floor between the wheels. ‘We are putting in an extra 50kg doing this,’ admits Gruden, ‘but it gives us better weight distribution and better stability on the road.’ The brakes have also been improved and, to help with handling, the Spring now features an anti-roll bar on the front axle – something it worryingly didn’t have before.
But there’s a glaring issue. If you’ve read our review for the Spring, you’ll note that we’re especially critical of its tyres: Linglong Eco Masters. They are hopeless, lacking grip in most scenarios that even include fairly low-strain ones like half-throttle acceleration in damp weather. When we questioned why the Spring was still on Linglong tyres even after media criticism, Barriere defended their use by simply saying ‘Linglong is a large and established tyre manufacturer,’ but little else.
As mentioned, the Dacia Spring technically retails at £15,995 for an Expression Electric 70, or £16,990 for an Extreme Electric 100. But, due to the UK Government’s electric car grant (and Dacia knocking another fiver off), those prices drop to £12,240 and £13,240 respectively.