Dacia Spring launches as Europe's cheapest EV

The Renault Group has unveiled the Dacia Spring that's on track to become the cheapest electric car in Europe, helping the French car-maker maintain its position as a dominant force in EVs.

Created to undercut small affordable electric cars like the Volkswagen e-Up! that sells for €21,975 in markets like Germany, the zero-emissions Dacia Spring SUV is set to be priced at less than €18,000 ($A30,000).

For that, you get a larger, more spacious alternative to the Up! with a decent 300-litre boot.

Featuring a modest 26.8kWh battery, the petite Dacia boasts a WLTP-verified 225km range between recharges.

Keeping costs low, the Dacia Spring shares much with the Renault Kwid already sold in emerging markets like India.

With this in mind, it's fair to say performance isn't a strongpoint of the 2021 Dacia Spring's repertoire, with the small SUV getting a single electric motor that can only muster 32kW.

That said, it's 125Nm torque peak suggests it will feel quicker behind the wheel.

Speaking of which, no performance figures have been released, but the Dacia is limited to a top speed of just 126km/h.

Inside, the Spring is said to seat four adults comfortably. Much of the cabin matches the Indian Kwid, and that's no bad thing as there's an optional 7.0-inch infotainment system that runs Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and displays the reversing camera.

Other options include central locking, air-con, electric windows/mirrors, a 3.5-inch digital trip computer between the instrument cluster, and a full-size spare wheel.

DC charging is also additional, but tick the box for the 30kW charger and a top-up from flat to 80 per cent is claimed to take less than an hour. A 7.4kW wallbox, meanwhile, takes five hours for a full charge.

Like more expensive pure-electric cars, Renault's budget brand will also offer owners a smartphone app that updates the charging status in real-time and allows the cabin to be pre-heated or cooled if you've paid extra for air-conditioning.

As well as selling it direct, Dacia will offer the Spring to car-share schemes. It also plans to create a van version for businesses.

Made in China, there's doubts over whether the small EV has been developed for right-hand drive markets after reports that the UK will miss out on the Spring.

If so, it's unlikely the Dacia will head Down Under, even as a rebadged Renault.