Bottom Line Up Front
Dacia has confirmed it will not curb petrol or hybrid sales in the UK, but it will push harder on electric models to avoid the £12,000 fine per ICE car imposed by the ZEV mandate.
Dacia Won’t Limit Petrol Car Sales – ZEV Mandate Pressures the Brand
Image: Dacia Won’t Limit Petrol Car Sales – ZEV Mandate Pressures the Brand – Performance Comparison and Specifications
Design & Looks
The Romanian badge remains focused on value‑driven design. Its best‑selling Sandero supermini looks unchanged – a practical hatch with a clean front grille and modest dimensions that appeal to families and city drivers. The Duster SUV keeps its rugged, boxy silhouette, while the new Bigster – launched mid‑year – adopts a slightly larger, more aerodynamic shape that hints at a future‑ready feel.
On the EV side, Dacia is gearing up for a fresh electric city car built on the Renault Twingo platform. It will sit alongside the Spring EV, offering a compact two‑door look that matches the brand’s no‑frills aesthetic.
Performance & Mileage
Most of Dacia’s lineup is still ICE‑centric. The Sandero and Duster rely on small‑displacement petrol engines that deliver around 40‑45 mpg (WLTP). The Bigster introduces a hybrid option – more than 60% of its orders are for the hybrid powertrain, doubling the share seen in smaller models.
The Spring EV, although a low‑volume model, offers an official range of about 225 km on a single charge and an energy consumption of roughly 15 kWh/100 km. The upcoming Twingo‑based EV is expected to hit a similar range, giving the brand a modest but growing electric footprint.
Price & Rivals
Dacia’s pricing strategy stays aggressive. The Sandero starts at around £14,000 in the UK, undercutting rivals like the Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio. The Duster begins near £16,500, competing with the Nissan Juke and Kia Stonic.
The Spring EV is priced at roughly £23,000, positioning it against the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. The new Twingo‑based EV will likely launch in the £22‑£24k bracket, aiming to attract buyers who want a cheap city EV without the premium badge.
| Engine | Mileage (UK) | Price (Start) | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandero – 1.0L Petrol | ≈44 mpg | £14,000 |
|
| Duster – 1.3L Petrol | ≈42 mpg | £16,500 |
|
| Bigster – Hybrid | ≈48 mpg (combined) | £18,500 |
|
| Spring EV – Electric | ≈225 km (WLTP) | £23,000 |
|
FAQ
What happens if Dacia exceeds the ZEV quota? The UK government will charge £12,000 for every ICE vehicle sold beyond the 33% electric threshold.
Will the new electric city car replace the Spring? No, it will sit alongside the Spring, giving buyers two cheap EV choices in the Dacia range.
Is Dacia’s hybrid Bigster worth buying? For drivers who need a bit more power and better fuel economy than a pure ICE, the hybrid Bigster offers a good balance without a big price jump.
What’s Next?
Dacia knows the UK market is a testbed for tighter emissions rules across Europe. While it won’t cut petrol stock, the brand is accelerating EV development and adding more hybrid models to keep the ZEV ratio healthy.
Do you think Dacia’s strategy will work, or will the fines push the brand to go fully electric sooner? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Read Official News
