Dacia Spark EV Price Cut Sparks Affordable EV Competition
Romanian automaker Dacia has reduced the price of its Spring electric city car to £11,990, making it the cheapest new EV in Britain and intensifying a price war with Chinese rival Leapmotor.
Dacia, the value-focused Romanian carmaker owned by Renault, has dropped the price of its Spring electric city car by £4,000 to £11,990 on-the-road, reclaiming the title of Britain's most affordable new electric vehicle. This move follows a price reduction of the Leapmotor T03 city EV to £12,995 by the Stellantis-majority-owned Chinese manufacturer, suggesting a potential price war in the electric vehicle market.
The Dacia Spring remains equipped with essential features despite the price cut, including air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a digital instrument display, and Dacia's Media Control system. The four-seater EV offers a range of up to 140 miles and can recharge from 20% to 80% in 29 minutes. Its boot capacity is 308 litres, expanding to 1,004 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Express Electric 70 trim is now priced at £11,990, while the Extreme Electric 100 trim is available for £12,990. The more expensive Extreme trim adds a more powerful 100hp motor, a 10.1-inch Media Nav Live system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, vehicle-to-load functionality, unique copper-accented styling, electric rear windows, and a reversing camera. The Spring was initially launched in June 2024 and received a refresh in October 2025, which included more powerful motors, a new LFP battery, and upgraded suspension and brakes.
In Europe, the Dacia Spring sold over 17,000 units in 2025, securing second place in the European market for electric vehicles sold in the retail channel across segments A, B, and B-SUV. When first launched, the Spring cost £14,995, significantly undercutting the then second-cheapest EV. After a price increase to £15,990, it became the second cheapest EV behind the Leapmotor T03.
The Leapmotor T03, also a four-seater, five-door city EV, offers a range of 165 miles and charges from 30% to 80% in 36 minutes. It has a 0–62mph acceleration time of 12.7 seconds and a top speed of around 80mph. The T03 features a 210-litre boot, a 10-inch touchscreen, voice control, in-vehicle Wi-Fi, a panoramic sunroof, and 10 advanced driver-assistance systems.
While the price reduction for the Leapmotor T03 is temporary and offered through a larger grant applicable to models purchased after July 1, the Dacia Spring's price cut is permanent. The competition between Dacia and Leapmotor, with Stellantis majority-owning Leapmotor and Renault owning Dacia, highlights a strategic battle between French automotive groups in the budget EV segment.