Used EVs to avoid: Dacia Spring as a prime example
Auto journalists compiled a list of ten used electric car models to steer clear of. The first is Dacia Spring, criticized for its low battery capacity, slow charging, and poor safety rating.
Dacia Spring – Cheap but full of compromises
Automotive experts have published a list of ten used electric vehicles that buyers are advised to avoid. The first model highlighted is the Dacia Spring, the budget brand's debut EV launched in 2021.
With a starting price below €17,000, it was one of the most affordable EVs on the market. However, this low cost came at the expense of multiple shortcomings. The 26.8 kWh battery offers barely over 200 kilometers of range in warm weather, halved in winter. Fast charging is slow, and the car lacks a 'Park' transmission mode – requiring use of the handbrake.
Safety is another concern: the Dacia Spring scored just one star in EuroNCAP tests due to missing equipment. Acceleration is sluggish – 0-100 km/h takes nearly 19 seconds. It is also unstable and noisy on highways.
On the positive side, the model has undergone two updates that improved power, features, and interior quality. However, it remains rare on the Latvian used car market, as few were sold new.
The article mentions nine other models on the avoid list, but details are not provided.
