The Dacia Spring is the by far most affordable battery-electric vehicle on sale in Europe, typically starting under €20,000. It was also Europe’s 9th bestselling battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in 2023, registering almost 60,000 units. Where are the Dacia Spring’s competitors? The legacy auto brands are for the most part refusing to make affordable BEVs, so what’s available in China, and will it come to Europe? Dacia Spring

From April 10th to 14th of 2024, EVB attended the CONSTRUMA exhibition, providing support and momentum for the development of the green energy industry in Eastern European countries. At this dynamic exhibition, EVB showcased its intelligent and efficient electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions to meet the growing demands of the EV market.

March saw plugin EVs take 18.0% share in Germany, down year on year, remaining stuck in a hangover from sudden incentive abandonment in late December. BEVs were down some 29% in YoY volume, while PHEVs were down 4.5%. Overall auto volume was 263,844 units, down 6% YoY, and down 25% from 2017-2019 seasonal norms (~350,000 units). The best selling BEV was the Tesla Model Y. The market data saw combined EVs at 18.0% share, with full electrics (BEVs) at 11.9% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 6.1% share. These compare with 21.6% combined, with 15.7% BEV, and 6.0% PHEV, year on year.

The EQS was already one of the electric cars with the longest range. In the future, customers will be able to cover even more kilometres without stopping to charge. Thanks to an increased battery capacity from 108.4 to 118 kWh, the maximum range of the EQS 450 4MATIC (energy consumption combined: 20.9 – 17.0 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A)[1], for example, increases from 717 to 799 kilometres. This means an increase in range of more than 11 percent. With a range of 683‑822 kilometres, the EQS 450+ (energy consumption combined: 19.9 – 16.3 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A)1 even exceeds the 800-kilometre mark.

The EL6 is the latest smart EV from NIO to achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The EL6 is the fourth NIO model, joining both ET5 and its Touring derivative, and EL7 to receive the highest award bestowed to vehicles that offer “overall excellent performance in crash protection and are well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology.”

March’s auto market saw plugin EVs take a 27.9% share in France, growing from a 25.4% share year-on-year. Full electric volume was up by some 11% YoY, while plugin hybrid volume grew 4%. Overall auto volume was 180,024 units, marginally down YoY, though well below 2017–2019 seasonal norms (~230,000). The Peugeot e-208 remained the bestselling full electric vehicle for the third consecutive month. March’s data tally saw combined plugin EVs take a 27.9% share in France, comprising 18.9% full battery-electrics (BEVs), with 9.0% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 25.4% combined, 16.8% BEV, and 8.6% PHEV.

BYD Blade Battery is currently the best example of a good module-less and cobalt-free battery for electric vehicles. When it was launched, the energy density was at 140 Wh/kg, then slowly increased to 150 Wh/kg. Recently, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu revealed for the first time at a financial report communication meeting that BYD is currently developing a second-generation blade battery to be released as soon as August 2024. This second generation CTP (cell-to-pack) battery from BYD will reach a gravimetric energy density of 190 Wh/kg, which suggests that at the cell level the density will be around 220 Wh/kg - considering a GCTP (gravimetric cell-to-pack) ratio of 85 %.

CATL’s cutting-edge cell technology supports the outstanding performance of the system. TENER is equipped with long service life and zero-degradation cells tailored for energy storage applications, achieving an energy density of 430 Wh/L, an impressive milestone for LFP batteries used in energy storage.

Salvador Caetano Auto, a leader in vehicles distribution and retail, reaches a strategic agreement for the import and distribution XPENG - a leading Chinese brand and a smart electric vehicle technologies pioneer. This collaboration will allow XPENG high-end smart electric vehicles, long awaited by consumers, to be sold on the Spanish and Portuguese markets during 2024.

With the expansion of their EV plans for the Indian market, Hyundai Motor and Kia aim to localize their EV battery production, specifically focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells. This strategic move will position them as the pioneers in applying domestically produced batteries in their upcoming EV models in the Indian market.

The new 2024 Dacia Spring is not perfect, but given its price is actually quite good. With a starting price of 16.900 euros, it’s the cheapest electric car you can buy in Europe. This small electric car comes in three variants. Essential (33 kW): 16.900 euros Expression (48 kW): 18.900 euros Extreme (48 kW): 19.900 euros 2024 Dacia Spring Basic specs Seats: 4 Length: 3.701 mm Width: 1.767 mm Height: 1.519 mm Wheelbase: 2.423 mm Turning circle: 4.800 mm Trunk capacity: 308 L - 1.004 L with the rear seats folded down Frunk capacity: 35 L Weight: 984 kg Wheels: 15-inch Starting price: 16.900 euros Powertrain Electric motor: 33 or 48 kW Maximum speed: 125 km/h Range (WLTP): 220 km (137 miles) Battery capacity: 26,8 kWh Battery weight: 186 kg Battery chemistry: NCM DC fast charging: 30 kW - from 20 to 80 % in 45 minutes (600 euros option) On-board charging: 7 kW - from 0 to 100 % in 4 hours Consumption: 14,6 kWh/100 km What’s most impressive is that it comes packed with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to meet the latest European Global Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) safety standards.

April 5, 2024 – Oslo, Norway – The leading global provider of EV charging solutions, EVB, showcased its latest products and technologies at the Nordic EV Summit held in Oslo, Norway. At this summit, EVB emphasized its integrated solutions for both AC and DC charging, along with solar and energy storage, aimed at advancing the development of electric vehicles in the Nordic region.