Michel's experience with the Dacia Spring

Michel, a retired medical radiologist, has been using the Dacia Spring as his second car for five years, primarily for local travel in and around Lyon. The car has become a reliable companion for his daily needs, with its electric powertrain and affordability making it a practical choice.

Dacia Spring's global variations

The Dacia Spring, launched in March 2021, is a four-seater electric city car manufactured in China and sold under different names in other regions, including the Renault City K-ZE, Dongfeng EV Nano Box, and Venucia e30. This global approach allows the vehicle to cater to various markets with tailored branding.

Battery performance and range

The Dacia Spring is equipped with a 27.4 kWh battery, of which 26.8 kWh are usable, providing a WLTP mixed cycle range of 230 km and up to 298 km in the city. Michel reports achieving up to 290 km on a charge under optimal conditions, with consumption rarely exceeding 10 kWh/100 km. However, in winter, the range drops to 210-220 km.

Powertrain and driving mode

The Dacia Spring has a lithium-ion battery pack composed of 72 cells, powering a motor with a power of 33 kW (44 hp) and a torque of 125 Nm. The top speed is 125 km/h, and Michel uses the car primarily in Eco mode, which limits the power to 31 hp (23 kW). This is sufficient for his daily use, allowing him to integrate well into traffic.

Affordability and cost

The Dacia Spring was chosen for its affordability, with Michel paying 11,500 euros after deductions, including a conversion bonus of 7,500 euros. It was the cheapest electric city car available at the time, making it an attractive option for those seeking an economical electric vehicle.

Comfort Plus features

The Dacia Spring in the Comfort Plus trim includes a 7-inch multimedia screen with navigation, smartphone replication via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and a rear radar. The entry-level Comfort trim includes external electric mirrors, manual air conditioning, automatic headlights, a speed limiter, a Bluetooth radio, and a USB port.

Economic and practical use

Michel notes that the car is economical, ecological, and provides driving pleasure. He charges the car at home, with a charge from 20 to 80% costing about 4.50 euros. The car is used for about 10,000 km a year, and its odometer has recently exceeded 50,000 km. The battery is covered by an eight-year warranty, and Michel reports that the state of health (SoH) of the battery is still at 94%.

Charging options and limitations

The Dacia Spring is equipped with a 6.6 kW AC charger and can be optionally equipped with a CCS connector for fast charging on direct current, up to 30 kW. Michel did not opt for the fast charging option, as he uses another car for long distances. The car is sometimes charged at friends' homes, with a domestic socket charge taking seven hours to reach 80%.

Corrosion and maintenance

Michel mentions that there are reinforcements under the body that rust, which are not covered by the eight-year anti-corrosion warranty. He addressed this issue himself by sanding and applying anti-corrosion paint and bituminous product. Dacia has since solved this problem by protecting these parts with electrophoresis on newer models.

Design and usability

The Dacia Spring's charging flap is located in the middle of the fake grille, under the brand's logo, and opens upwards. The car is praised for its maneuverability and large trunk, with Michel's wife particularly appreciating it. She would not exchange it for another car. Michel intends to keep the car for at least three more years until the end of the battery warranty.

Future plans and considerations

Michel is considering an electric car for his main vehicle, with interest in models from Chinese manufacturers and the Tesla Model Y. He acknowledges the benefits of electric vehicles, including instant acceleration, silence, and driving pleasure, and notes that the handling on wet roads was an issue due to the original tires, which were replaced with more performing models.