Currently reading: Dacia Spring Cargo unveiled as UK’s cheapest electric van

New load-carrying variant of budget-friendly city car offers 1085-litre boot and 370kg payload

The Dacia Spring Cargo has been unveiled as a van version of the electric city car, targeting last-mile delivery fleets.

At £14,995 (excluding VAT), it is the UK’s cheapest electric van and it also qualifies for the government’s £2500 Plug-in Van Grant.

In addition, it is offered on business leasing for £149 per month (excluding VAT), with a deposit of £894 and an allowance of 10,000 miles per year.

The Spring Cargo is based on the range-topping Extreme version of the passenger car, with a single motor sending 64bhp through the front wheels and a 26.8kWh battery pack that can be recharged at up to 30kW. This set-up yields a range of 140 miles, and a 20-80% refill at the peak rate takes 45min.

The Cargo also packs vehicle-to-load capability, allowing its battery to power external devices rated to 240V using an adapter for the charging port.

Inside, the Spring Cargo omits the passenger car’s two rear seats, leaving a flat load bay that’s separated from the cockpit by a net. Dacia claims the extended boot measures 1085 litres, while the maximum payload is rated at 370kg.

Dacia Spring Cargo load bay

Up front, it gets a 10in infotainment screen with Bluetooth and USB connectivity plus a reversing camera, as well as cruise control and manual air conditioning. 

Deliveries of the Spring Cargo are due to begin by the end of the year.

Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Editorial assistant, Autocar

As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, providing videos for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

Charlie is the proud owner of a Fiat Panda 100HP, which he swears to be the best car in the world. Until it breaks.

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Peter Cavellini 5 November 2024

Handy size for delivering your evening meals?.

LP in Brighton 5 November 2024

Why would they do this? Is it because they can't sell enough as passenger cars, or are they gaining incremental sales because of its unique positiion in the market? Or maybe it's more profitable since the pre VAT price would make it more expensive than the car!

And it has to be said though that it makes a pretty useful small van with the ability to venture untroubled into ULEV areas.  

xxxx 5 November 2024
LP in Brighton wrote:

Why would they do this?

Because it's a car company and there's a market for it.

xxxx 5 November 2024

Fills a niche brief perfectly, £149 a month sounds reasonable too.