Review: Dacia Spring.
Our full review · Specs & price Belgium 2026
Real-world range = WLTP × 0.78 (Belgian winter conditions, motorway 130 km/h). Official BE configurator price, .
Our review of the Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring is the cheapest electric car on the Belgian market. At €16,990, it offers hassle-free urban use on a minimal budget. Its 165 km of real-world range is more than enough for everyday Belgian trips — the national average is around 32 km a day. That said, its DC charging capped at 30 kW and its compact size make it a car firmly designed for the city and its outskirts, not for long motorway hauls.
Driving & comfort
Behind the wheel, the Spring surprises with its lightness — just 984 kg, which makes it very nimble in town. The steering is precise without being sporty, ideal for threading through Brussels traffic jams or parking easily in the narrow streets of Liège or Ghent. The running gear copes well with cobbles and urban speed bumps, even if the suspension shows its limits on the motorway above 110 km/h. Sound insulation is basic but in line with the price positioning: in town at low speed, the silence of the electric motor creates a driving comfort that's unexpected at this budget.
Daily charging
Charging the Spring day to day is disarmingly simple. Its small 26.8 kWh battery recharges from a standard domestic socket in one full night (2.3 kW, about 9 hours), which most Belgians have access to at home or in residential parking. With a 7.4 kW wallbox, count on 2h30 to go from 20% to 100% — you plug in when you get home and leave in the morning with a full car. On a public DC charger (30 kW max), the 56-minute stop from 10 to 80% is long: keep that option for emergencies, not everyday use.
Total cost of ownership
This is where the Spring really shines. Over 5 years and 80,000 km, total cost of ownership stays unbeatable: home electricity (≈ €0.30/kWh in Belgium) = about €0.05/km, four to five times less than an equivalent petrol city car. Maintenance is limited to tyres, brakes (lightly used thanks to regenerative braking) and a roadworthiness test. Thanks to the very low TMC (registration tax) and the available tax advantages, the purchase premium versus a petrol Sandero is paid back in under 3 years for a driver covering 10,000 km/year.
- Unbeatable purchase price: the cheapest new car on the Belgian market
- Light weight (984 kg) means efficiency on the urban cycle
- Compact size: easily parked in Belgian city centres
- Very low TMC (registration tax) at registration
- 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty included
- DC charging limited to 30 kW: 56 minutes from 10 to 80%
- 165 km real range: not recommended for regular motorway trips
- Basic interior trim even for its price bracket
- No advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard
Our verdictFor a tight budget and 100% urban or suburban use, the Spring is unbeatable. If you drive less than 80 km a day and charge at home, its total cost over 5 years will be significantly lower than any petrol alternative. Just don't ask it to cross Belgium — that's not its playground.
An urban or suburban user, a first electric purchase, a budget ≤ €17,000, with access to a socket or wallbox at home.
Drivers covering more than 100 km a day, regular motorway trips, or families needing a large boot.
Full specifications
Dacia Spring in Belgium — what you need to know
Typical Belgian trips
With 165 real km, the Spring covers Brussels–Ardennes (≈ 260 km return) with a fast charge, but is limited on coastal trips.
Tax benefit
For self-employed and companies, this model is 100% tax-deductible in 2026 (last year at this rate). No direct purchase grant for individuals. Road tax is greatly reduced for this EV.
Home charging
With 7.4 kW AC, a full charge from 20% takes approximately 3 hours on an 11 kW wallbox. On a 230V plug (2.3 kW): about 9 hours. Overnight charging easily covers the average 50–80 km/day.
Frequently asked questions — Dacia Spring
Is the Dacia Spring really the cheapest electric car in Belgium?
Yes. Starting at €16,990, the Spring is the cheapest fully electric car available new in Belgium. No other new model comes close to this price level — a decisive advantage for small budgets and short trips.
What's the real-world range of the Dacia Spring in Belgian conditions?
In mixed Belgian conditions (city and outskirts, mild winter), expect 150 to 175 km of real range despite the official 220 km WLTP. On purely urban, low-speed trips, you can get close to 190 to 200 km. On the motorway at 120 km/h, range drops to about 120 km.
Can you use the Dacia Spring on the motorway?
Technically yes, but its DC charging limited to 30 kW makes charging stops long (56 minutes from 10 to 80%). For a Brussels–Luxembourg trip (≈ 190 km), allow about an hour of charging. The Spring is designed for the city — on the motorway, other models are far better suited.
Is home charging enough for the Dacia Spring?
Absolutely. With a 7.4 kW wallbox, a full charge from 20% takes about 2h30. On a standard 230V socket (2.3 kW), count on about 9 hours. Overnight charging easily covers the 50 to 80 km of average daily driving.
What's the battery warranty on the Dacia Spring?
8 years or 160,000 km, with a minimum of 70% residual capacity guaranteed by Renault Group, which builds the Spring. This warranty is in line with the market and covers manufacturing defects as well as excessive degradation.
How much does it cost to maintain a Dacia Spring over 5 years?
Noticeably less than a petrol car. No oil changes, no timing belt, no oil filter. The main items are: annual electronic service (≈ €100-150), tyres (every 3-4 years), brakes (lightly used thanks to regenerative braking). Estimated maintenance budget: €300 to €400 over 5 years versus €1,500 to €2,000 for a petrol city car.
Is the Dacia Spring reliable over the long term?
Early owner feedback is generally positive. The platform is derived from the Renault Kwid, on sale since 2015 with a decent reliability record. Points to watch: the battery's thermal management (no active system) can accelerate degradation with repeated DC charging. Limit fast charging and prefer AC charging day to day to preserve the battery.
Is the Dacia Spring available used in Belgium?
Yes, increasingly so. The used market starts with 2021-2022 Springs from €9,000 to €12,000. Check the battery's condition (diagnostic report) and the mileage. A used Spring under 60,000 km with the battery above 85% capacity is an excellent buy for urban use.