(This article is also available in German)
Yes – there is a market beyond the predominantly massive electric cars with large batteries that currently dominate the market. Many buyers are even longingly waiting for cheaper and more compact models. No one doubts that the services currently offered are used more to impress more solvent customers than to cope with daily traffic. We owe the unbalanced supply to the fact that the industry cannot yet supply as many e-cars as is in demand and it can generate a better margin with the larger cars. Larger production capacities, the easing of delivery problems and a certain degree of saturation in the electric vehicle market should change that in the medium term.
The remaining niche is currently mainly used by Volkswagen with the often sold out VW Up (or its identical offshoot Seat Mii (test) or Skoda Citigo-e IV) and Dacia’s umbrella brand Renault with the Twingo and (still) the Zoe (test). However, none of the small electric cars undercut the price of the 3.73 m short and slightly over a tonne Dacia Spring, which according to the manufacturer is selling well. There are already 100,000 orders worldwide, three quarters of which are private, and more than 18,500 Springs have already been delivered in Germany since sales began in 2021. And that despite its simplicity and the slender engine.
However, both were also the main points of criticism. At least in terms of performance, Dacia is now improving and increasing it from 33 to 48 kW. From the point of view of some customers, Dacia’s will to be able to dampen the price, despite an approximately ten percent increase, at least with the basic motorization that is still available, is to be credited highly.
“Distinctive outdoor look”
The Dacia Spring with the more powerful electric motor is called Electric 65 and will be on display at the Brussels Motor Show (January 13-22, 2023). At the same time, Dacia is presenting the “Extreme” equipment, according to the press release “a striking outdoor look”, which will also be available for the Sandero, Duster and Jogger in the future. You can’t completely ignore the “SUV” lifestyle theme, which has been supporting the auto industry for over 20 years. “Extreme” replaces the previously available “Expression” equipment, for which nine out of ten buyers in Germany and eight out of ten worldwide have opted.
The shade of blue is a new option coupled with copper colored trims.
Gear for more torque
The electric motor in the Electric 65 not only differs from the previous one in terms of its output of 48 kW and consumption of 14.5 kWh/100 km. According to Dacia, “it is paired with a gearbox that increases the torque transmitted to the drive wheels (so it should be higher than that of the current 125 Nm Spring) while allowing for better acceleration and more effective recuperation.” Data on acceleration, maximum speed and other details about the drive can be expected after the trade fair presentation. Dacia specifies the ranges as 220 kilometers in the WLTP mixed cycle and 305 kilometers in the WLTP city cycle. So Dacia shouldn’t have changed anything on the battery. So far it has held approx. 27 kWh and thus offered a range of 230 km in a cycle.
With the cheap electric car to the marina. Pretty cheeky, the PR people from Dacia.
Unchanged entry-level engine
The entry-level engine with 33 kW is still available in the “Essential” equipment and naturally consumes a little less electricity: the combined consumption in the WLTP mixed cycle is unchanged at 13.9 kWh/100 km, we measured between 14.5 and 19.8kWh/100km.
The “data collected by the networked services of the vehicle” on user behavior is interesting to read, because it is apparently intended to underline the accuracy of the concept: the cars are driven 31 kilometers a day at an average speed of 26 km/h. 75 percent of them are charged at home over an average period of 3.5 hours. Often initially bought as a second car, the Spring has become the main means of transport in 90 percent of multi-person households during the week.
The cheapest offer on the e-car market is becoming more expensive
In Germany, the Dacia Spring Extreme Electric 65 can be ordered from January 17 for at least 24,550 euros, the Spring Essential Electric 45 from 22,750 euros, both prices are RRP plus transfer costs, excluding the electric bonus. So far, the Spring has cost at least 20,940 euros as “Comfort” and 22,090 euros as “Comfort Plus”. Dacia plans the first deliveries “before summer 2023”.
(fpi)
