Dacia unveils second-generation Spring electric car with European production in Slovenia

Shift to European manufacturing and new platform

Dacia introduced the second generation of its Spring electric city car on 8 September 2026. The new model moves assembly from China to Renault Group's plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Built on the RGEV small platform, the vehicle shares 75% of its components with the Renault Twingo and will share architecture with the forthcoming Nissan Wave. Renault Group used streamlined vehicle development programmes to complete engineering in under two years while curbing production expenses. The updated body measures 3.85 metres in length and 1.74 metres in width, representing increases of 15 centimetres and 18 centimetres over the prior generation, while preserving an overall height of 1.52 metres and a turning radius of 4.95 metres.

Powertrain capabilities and charging options

The vehicle runs on a single electric motor providing 60 kW (80 horsepower) and 175 Nm of torque, yielding a zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time of 12.1 seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. Energy is supplied by a 27.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery delivering a WLTP combined range of up to 250 kilometres, with rated consumption of 12.7 kWh per 100 kilometres and a base curb weight of 1,212 kilograms. Internal Dacia tracking noted that owners of the original generation averaged 34 kilometres per day and conducted 75% of recharging sessions at home. Standard charging uses a 6.6 kW alternating current unit, while an optional Charge Pack introduces 11 kW alternating current compatibility, 50 kW direct current rapid charging from 15% to 80% in 28 minutes, and bidirectional vehicle-to-load capabilities.

Interior layout, technology, and market segmentation

Cargo capacity reaches 337 litres in the standard boot, expanding to 1,283 litres when folding the 50/50 split rear bench, alongside an optional 18-litre front luggage space. Standard cabin equipment includes a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an electric parking brake, and rear parking sensors. Higher Journey trims add a 10.1-inch central touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected navigation, remote climate pre-conditioning, and a reversing camera.

Dacia opened customer orders in France and Switzerland with entry pricing below 18,000 euros before subsidies, while second-tier trims start at 19,400 euros and all versions remain under 20,000 euros. Frank Marotte emphasized the commercial focus at the launch event:

Factually, we have the lowest price for electric cars in the A-segment.

To avoid internal competition with the Twingo, Renault Group positioned the Spring toward suburban and rural drivers, who represent half of the model's user base. Fabrice Cambolive addressed the multi-brand product strategy:

The two brands each have their own customer universe, and the differentiation work was very well managed.

Commercial context and product roadmap

The launch arrives as European carmakers face rising pricing competition from Chinese brands. In the United Kingdom, price cuts by Leapmotor on the T03 to 12,995 pounds previously led Dacia to discount first-generation Spring inventory to 11,990 pounds. Across the European Union, electric car sales grew 40.5% in the first half of the year to secure 20.7% market share, while Dacia registrations dropped 8.8%, trimming brand market share to 4.5%. Flavien Neuvy noted that higher fuel costs have accelerated customer interest in small urban electric models. Dacia plans to maintain retail momentum through a Sandero hybrid, the second-generation Spring, and the C-segment Striker family model, aiming to release four electric vehicles by 2030.