DACIA is continuing its budget brand image with the ell-electric Spring and its latest Sandero models.

The Spring can now be had for £12,240 with Dacia's £3,750 electric car grant while the new Sandero is priced from £14,765 and in beefed up Stepway specification £16,065.

Two new, more powerful electric motors in the Spring provide improved acceleration, while a new 24.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery delivers a driving range of up to 140 miles - which Dacia says easily covers a typical working week on a single charge.

A new 40 kW onboard DC charger can recharge the battery from 20-80 per cent in 29 minutes while inside it gets a seven-inch digital driver display as standard across the range.

More expensive Extreme versions introduce a larger 10.1-inch multimedia display with wireless smartphone connectivity.

Powered by the new 70hp motor, standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, electric front windows, rear parking sensors, rear wash-wipe, central locking, fully digital instrument display, and Dacia's Media Control with steering wheel-mounted controls.

For £1,000 more, the SpringExtremeElectric 100gains the more powerful 100hp motor and adds copper-accented styling, electric rear windows, heated and electronically-adjustable door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera, 10.1-inch Media Nav Live with wireless Apple CarPlayand Android Auto, additional USB connectivity and vehicle-to-load functionality.

Luke Broad, Dacia brand director for the UK, said: "With the introduction of our Dacia Electric Car Grant, it makes buying and owning a Spring even more affordable.

"We're in the business of making electric mobility accessible for all, and with our track record of delivering best-in-class value for best-in-class cars, it really doesn't require a leap of faith to go electric."

Meanwhile, the Sandero is keeping its place as Britain's most affordable combustion-engined model

For 2026 both the hatch and the Sandero Stepway gain a refreshed exterior design with Dacia's new inverted-‘T' LED light signature and redesigned front and rear bumpers.

Inside, both models benefit from Dacia's YouClipaccessory system, an upgraded 10-inch multimedia screen with enhanced connectivity, and the availability of a wireless smartphone charger as well as a more responsive TCe 100 engine which gives the car a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 111mph.

The new Sandero range is available in three trim levels - Essential, Expression, and Journey - while the Sandero Stepway line-up tops out with Extreme models which are priced from £18,365.