Dacia is preparing a truly affordable electric car. It has 3 meters in length and a 15 kWh battery.
In short:
Dacia could introduce the Hipster model into production in 2027
It will be the cheapest electric vehicle in the brand’s portfolio
Its price is expected to be less than 50,000 złoty
There’s a trade-off: the battery will have only 15 kWh and 20 horsepower
The four-seater version is designed to meet L7e category requirements
The Hipster will be manufactured at the plant in Shiyan, China, where the first generation of Dacia Spring was produced until July 2026
When will production start? Industry media speculate it will be in 2027
Dacia’s simple approach
At a time when even the smallest new cars are approaching 100,000 złoty in price, Dacia may try to go in exactly the opposite direction. Instead of adding more screens, kilowatts, and kilograms of battery capacity, it aims to create a car as simple and small as the regulations allow.
According to Autocar, the Hipster is set to go into production in 2027. The UK price is currently estimated at around 9,500 pounds, which is approximately 48,000 zł at the current exchange rate. The goal is to keep the price below 10,000 pounds.
This is still not an official announcement from Dacia. The current brand head, Katrin Adt, has only responded to questions about the project by saying to “stay vigilant.” Meanwhile, design chief David Durand confirmed that the project is underway and only needs final approval from management. One thing is certain: something is in the works.
20 horsepower? That’s enough!
The Hipster will not be yet another cheap B-segment car. Structurally, it is intended to be much closer in style to the Citroën Ami or other heavy four-wheelers.
The four-seater version is intended to meet the requirements of category L7e. This means a weight limit of 450 kg without the battery, power limited to around 20 HP, and a top speed of about 90 km/h.
It sounds modest, but the Hipster is not meant for racing on highways. It is supposed to be a cost-effective mode of transport for the city and its surroundings.
According to sources, the battery will have only 15 kWh. For comparison, many modern electric vehicles have batteries four or five times larger. The smaller the battery, the lower the cost, less weight, and fewer materials needed to build the car. Dacia also considered an even simpler two-seater version compliant with category L6.
Three meters long and four seats
The production Hipster is supposed to be extremely small. The vehicle will retain dimensions similar to the concept car: around 3 meters long, 1.55 meters wide, and 1.53 meters high. Thus, its road footprint will be similar to that of a classic Mini.
Nevertheless, four seats are still planned. And this is where things get interesting, as Dacia aims to create something between a microcar and a regular city car. Stylistically, the production Hipster should also not deviate much from the concept car.
The bumpers, grille, and lights will change, and the side windows will be divided into two parts. The lower section is supposed to open upward, similar to the Citroën Ami.
At the back, the two-part hatch from the concept car will be removed. It will be replaced by single doors that open sideways, a bit like the Land Rover Defender.
A cheap electric car from China
According to Autocar, the Hipster is set to be produced at a factory in Shiyan, China, where the first generation of Dacia Spring was manufactured until July 2026.
The plant belongs to the Renault Group alongside Dongfeng and Nissan, and it has a production capacity of around 45,000 cars per year. Renault wants to maintain it due to its low costs and the capabilities of local engineering teams.
The Chinese will also be involved in developing the Hipster’s engine, battery, and chassis. Where possible, Dacia aims to use components from the previous Spring model.
The entire project is thus focused on one goal: to create a truly inexpensive electric car, not just one that’s slightly cheaper than competitors.
The new Spring took a different path
Interestingly, the Hipster was originally supposed to be Spring’s natural successor. Dacia’s former CEO, Denis Le Vot, planned a launch by the end of 2026 at a price of 11,200 pounds (about 57,000 zł).
However, plans changed after Renault decided that the next Spring would be related to the new Renault Twingo and produced in Slovenia. At that point, the Hipster was given a new mission: to be even simpler and cheaper.
If the project truly gets approval, Dacia will then have two very different budget-friendly electric vehicles in its lineup. The Spring will remain a more conventional city car, while the Hipster will target customers with even lower expectations and tighter budgets. Especially in Southern Europe, where models like the Citroen Ami, Fiat Topolino, and Opel Rocks are popular today, Dacia could achieve success.
Piotr Sobczyk