Is the Dacia Spring EV the car India desperately needs?
While most car manufacturers are still trying to figure out how to make profits off cheap EVs, Dacia has managed to crack that code with the new Dacia Spring EV. The Spring EV went on sale first in Europe in 2021 and since then has taken over the market being the most pocket-friendly electric car in the continent. The car now gets its first major refresh and here's why we think the Spring EV would be perfect for India if launched as the Renault Kwid EV.
The exterior overhaul brings the 2024 Spring in line with Dacia's newest design language, as seen on the new Duster SUV, which will be available in India soon. The car's CMF-A platform remains unchanged.
To give you some perspective about the Spring's size, the car measures 3,701mm in length, 1,767mm in width, 1,519mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,423mm, which brings the car on par with the Tata Tiago EV while it could also take a swing at the Punch EV and Citroen eC3.
The Spring has been given a beefy new design, with just the roof panel left from the original form. The front end now has Dacia's distinctive Y-shaped LED daytime running lights, while the back receives segmented tail lights and a full-width black strip with the Romanian automaker's logo. Dacia no longer offers the outgoing model's roof rails, claiming that they are unnecessary for a city car. Depending on the variant, the wheels measure either 15 or 16 inches.
Dacia Spring EV: Powertrain
Speaking of variants, there are three: Essential, Expression, and Extreme. The base Spring Essential has 45 PS, however, the other variants have a more powerful electric motor with 65PS. The latter allows the EV to reach 100 kph in less than 14 seconds. Stick with the entry-level motor, and the task will be completed in less than 20 seconds.
The modest 26.8-kWh battery provides over 220 km of range. Charging may still be done using an AC source at up to 7.4 kW, while DC fast charging, which is optional, maxes out at 30 kW.
Dacia Spring EV: Interior
Inside, the redesigned Spring gets a 7-inch customizable instrument cluster on all trim levels and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre console on the top models. Instead of a 10-inch screen, the entry-level model features an inbuilt smartphone holder. The materials are also upgraded, with higher-quality textiles on the seats, more textured plastics on the door inlays, and flashes of white plastic to help raise the area surrounding the gear selector.
Will the Spring EV make it to our shore? We can't say. For now, all we know is that the new Duster is on its way under the Renault brand and even if the Spring does come we don't expect it to come under the Dacia name either.
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