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Dacia CEO Katrin Adt discussed the brand's approach to electrification while maintaining affordability, including the launch of the new Striker crossover. The interview covered challenges from Chinese competitors and fuel price volatility impacting budget conscious European customers. Adt addressed how Dacia plans to balance growth ambitions with its core value proposition during the transition to electric vehicles.

Why it matters: Budget EV brands shape charging infrastructure demand in price sensitive markets, influencing CPO site selection and pricing strategies. Understanding how mainstream manufacturers electrify their fleets helps predict where mass market charging capacity will be needed across Europe.

Dacia has confirmed the second generation of its Spring electric city car will be built at Renault's Slovenia plant, moving production from China to Europe for the first time. The shift restores access to EU purchase incentives and avoids import tariffs that applied to the outgoing model, which sold over 200,000 units across Europe since 2021. The new Spring will share underpinnings with the Renault Twingo E-Tech and is expected to launch at the Paris Motor Show in October, with pricing rumoured to start under £20,000.

Why it matters: The production move makes the Spring eligible for EU subsidies again, potentially boosting fleet and municipal procurement volumes in markets where incentives drive EV adoption. Platform sharing with the Twingo signals economies of scale that could pressure rival budget EV suppliers and expand the addressable market for low cost electric city cars.

The UK government brought back the Electric Car Grant in July 2025, providing point of sale discounts up to £3,750 for new electric vehicles priced at or below £37,000. The full discount applies only to the most sustainable Band 1 models, with most EVs receiving a lower £1,500 discount. The market has seen an influx of affordable EVs from value brands including Citroen, Dacia and Vauxhall, alongside new Chinese entrants, expanding choice for buyers and lessees.

Why it matters: The grant structure creates a two tier incentive that may influence procurement decisions toward Band 1 vehicles, while the expanded affordable EV market from established and Chinese brands increases fleet electrification options for operators working within tighter budgets.