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Dacia Spring vs Leapmotor T03
Selected trimExpression Electric 70Change trim139 mi · 24 kWh · £11,990
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
At a glance
Overview
The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 are among the cheapest new electric cars on sale in the UK, built for city use rather than long journeys. The Spring is the lighter, no-frills choice focused on keeping costs down; the T03 adds more equipment and a little more range for similar money. Neither is a motorway car, but both make low-cost urban EV ownership realistic.
Best suited to:City drivingBudgetFirst EV
In this comparison, Dacia Spring leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Leapmotor T03 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Dacia Spring if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Dacia Spring wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Dacia
4.9
Leapmotor
5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeDacia
Dacia
3.3
Leapmotor
2.2
ChargingDacia
Dacia
3.5
Leapmotor
1.3
Cost Per MileDacia
Dacia
9.5
Leapmotor
3.7
City DrivingDacia
Dacia
9.7
Leapmotor
9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £11,990 (better) | £15,995 |
| Official range | 139 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 36 min |
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Dacia Spring
Leapmotor T03
Length
Dacia Spring3,701mm
Leapmotor T033,620mm-81mm
Width
Dacia Spring1,583mm-69mm
Leapmotor T031,652mm
Height
Dacia Spring1,489mm-88mm
Leapmotor T031,577mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,701 mm | 3,620 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,583 mm (better) | 1,652 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,767 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,489 mm | 1,577 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.6 m (better) | 9.7 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 817 mm spare (better) | 748 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 960 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1004 L (better) | 508 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Dacia Spring
- At 3,701 mm, shorter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 124 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 9.6 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Leapmotor T03
- At 3,620 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.7 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,652 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 |  Leapmotor T03 Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.70m | 3.62m-81mm |
| Width | 1.58m | 1.65m+69mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.77m | Not available |
| Height | 1.49m | 1.58m+88mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.42m | 2.40m-23mm |
| Ground Clearance | 146mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1004L (better) | 508L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 960mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.6m (better) | 9.7m |
| Kerb Weight | 984kg (better) | 1,175kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 37.3kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 139 mi | 165 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 40kW | 48kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £11,990 (better) | £15,995 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
* Leapmotor T03: Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 139 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 95 miles | 112 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 36 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 40 kW | 48 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 124 Wh/km (better) | 163 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 24 kWh | 37.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 52 kW | 70 kW (better) |
| Torque | 137 Nm | 158 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
Leapmotor T03
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Dacia Spring
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant49%
Child Occupant56%
Vulnerable Road Users39%
Safety Assist32%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Leapmotor T03 Base
Leapmotor T03 Base
Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
Owners love
- Excellent value proposition as the UK's cheapest new car, starting under £13,800 and democratizing EV ownership
- Ideal as a second car or city runabout with tight turning circle under 5 meters and lightweight design under 1,000kg
- Simple, utilitarian design with manual controls (physical key, handbrake, switches) appeals to owners seeking straightforward functionality
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly trails WLTP estimates; expect 80-100 miles in mixed conditions and as low as 60-80 miles in winter
- Base 45hp model is dangerously underpowered for motorway use with 19-20 second 0-60 times and unsafe acceleration on slip roads
- Poor interior quality with cheap hard plastics, tinny door closures, and sparse cabin materials throughout
Owner tips
- Choose the 65hp or 100hp variant if considering purchase; the base 45hp model lacks sufficient power for safe motorway driving
- Expect realistic range of 4 mi/kWh in real-world conditions and plan around 80 miles in winter, not the 140-186 mile WLTP figures
Leapmotor T03
Base
Owners love
- Excellent value for money at under £16,000 with competitive equipment levels including ADAS, adaptive cruise, and modern tech features
- Quiet, smooth, and refined electric drivetrain with strong efficiency of 4.2-5.7 miles per kWh and good real-world range of 130-200 miles
- Superior interior space, comfort, and build quality compared to direct competitors like the Dacia Spring, with metal door levers and quality finishes
Watch out for
- Unattractive and polarizing exterior styling described as ungainly, charmless, and resembling white goods rather than a car
- Lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity at launch, though updates are incoming
- Crude and unreliable adaptive cruise control that struggles with roundabouts and can brake or accelerate suddenly
Owner tips
- Use multiple charging apps (Podpoint, Electroverse, BP Pulse) to find cheaper rates down to 22-44p per kWh, and combine 13A home charging with solar panels or off-peak EV tariffs for minimal running costs
- Switch to standard cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control on motorways for better reliability, and use damp-absorbing pouches to manage window condensation in wet weather
Buying options
Get a quote
Dacia Spring
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Leapmotor T03
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Dacia Spring
- £10,9992026Cars2View
- £11,2992026Cars2View
Leapmotor T03
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Leapmotor T03 worth the extra £4,005 over the Dacia Spring?
The Leapmotor T03 costs £4,005 more than the Dacia Spring. For that premium it adds 25 miles more WLTP range. The Dacia Spring is not just cheaper - it also offers 98 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 124 versus 163 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Dacia Spring comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Dacia Spring or the Leapmotor T03?
The Dacia Spring is £4,005 cheaper to buy. The Dacia Spring is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 a year versus £176 for the Leapmotor T03, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Dacia Spring comes out roughly £4,205 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 95 miles for the Dacia Spring and 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Leapmotor T03 goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Dacia Spring or the Leapmotor T03?
The Dacia Spring is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 69 mm narrower than the Leapmotor T03. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 817 mm of total clearance for the Dacia Spring and about 748 mm of total clearance for the Leapmotor T03.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Dacia Spring or the Leapmotor T03?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Dacia Spring and 90% for the Leapmotor T03. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Leapmotor T03 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Dacia Spring (2024 on): Which Motor, the Steering Recall & What to Pay
A used Dacia Spring buyer’s guide: the 45, 65, 70 and 100 versions, the steering-rack recall, the one-star safety rating, battery warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one and a printable checklist.
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RankingBest EVs for City Driving UK 2026
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .