If the EU is to achieve its goals of increasing the proportion of emission-free vehicles, car manufacturers must focus on good cars in the A and B segments. People living in big European cities prefer small cars for 20 euros - not SUVs for more than 000.
If it goes as the EU has now finally decided, from 2035 only zero-emission vehicles will be allowed to be sold. The aim is to increase the proportion of cars with zero emissions, but there are many things that can slow down this process – also after 2035. That is why charging options for street-parked cars must be developed. Furthermore, car manufacturers must focus on electric cars in the A and B segments. Southern Europeans choose cars that are not sold in Norway, such as Dacia, Fiat Panda and Renault Twingo.
Cheap electric cars are not to be despised in Norway either. Today you can get them in stock Nissan Leaf Accenta with 39 kwh to 232 or Mazda MX-30 for NOK 219.
The Nissan Leaf is a lot of car for the money
Today's model is on its way out and will be replaced by a new model that will probably share the drivetrain with the Megane E-Tech. This may mean that the starting price of the new Nissan Leaf will be much more expensive than today. Another model that is now available for sale on the cheap is the Mazda MX-30. This model is also on its way out of the market without us knowing of any replacement.
Measures that can cut prices
The prices of batteries have increased considerably due to pressure on raw materials such as nickel, lithium and cobalt. In the long term, however, one can expect battery technology to be developed in such a way that they become cheaper to produce, and that they have increased capacity, lower weight, lower volume and lower price. The car industry can take further measures to cut costs in production. GM's new battery management system, for example, eliminates up to 90% of cables and connectors compared to other car brands. Tesla introduced a switchless dashboard in its Model 3. In the new version, the gear lever is also replaced by a touch function on the screen. Elon Musk is also supposed to have considered replacing the outside temperature sensor with a function that fetches the temperature on the Internet. Omitting switches, gear levers and perhaps computerized temperature gauges does not make the cars better - but can help create cheap cars without compromising safety, driving characteristics and range.
Dacia spring
In France, Dacia Spring is in 15th place in the number of cars sold so far this year - only beaten by the Tesla Model Y if we limit ourselves to electric cars. Dacia belongs to the Dacia-Lada division of Renault, which now no longer operates in Russia - only in Romania. The Dacia Spring electric car was first shown at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show as Renault City K-ZE. Later it appeared as the Dacia Spring produced by D in China. The production location must be chosen to keep prices down. You can say that the Dacia Spring is designed not to cost more than 20 euros, - or to put it another way:
This is what you get for 20 euros
With a length of 3,73 metres, room for 4 and 300 liters of luggage, it ends up in the A-segment, although the tall shape with 5 doors makes the car seem larger than it actually is. The battery capacity is 27,4 kWh gross, of which 26,8 kWh is usable. That corresponds to the capacity of the electric cars most people could afford 10 years ago. It provides a range of 230 km thanks to its low weight and economical engine – 45 horsepower on a 1045 kg car. What drags the car down the most and makes the car unattractive in Norway is the lack of active temperature management of the batteries * 1) and that the model was awarded only one star in EuroNcap's crash tests.
One is tempted to say: "Close, but No Cigar".
Is hope lost for a good electric car at a low price?
Dacia Spring shows what is possible to build within 20 euros, or NOK 000. The model appeared 250 years ago. Can we expect a new model to appear in the same price range with better range, full thermal management of the batteries and collision safety on par with other models? 000 new, interesting models in the lower price range have already been announced. New Renault 5 og VW ID.2All are models that are intended to reach the "most people" in the EU. Although they are to manage it, they must have an ace up their sleeve – namely access to affordable batteries. Volkswagen plans to start production of its ID.2All in 2025 – at the same time as its own battery factory, PowerCo in Salzgitter, will start producing batteries. Renault has announced that its new model will have a new platform developed in collaboration with Nissan with batteries that are both lighter and less bulky than the current Zoe. Maybe there will be a new low-cost model from Nissan too? In 2025, Dacia has announced that there will be a brand new Spring.
One of the most interesting news for 2025 could therefore be the new Dacia Spring. Volkswagen and Renault can certainly build nice small cars - which in this case will end up in the B segment - but I doubt that they will manage to push the prices below NOK 300. Perhaps Dacia can, but with an upgraded safety level and battery technology, the new model may be more expensive than the current model - although the prices from the low-cost manufacturer will probably be below the competition.
Autumn's new low-cost cars
MG MG4 Standard is a reasonably modern electric car with 5 doors, 5 seats, usable range of 351 km and liquid-based temperature management of the batteries. The model received 5 stars in EuroNcap's crash tests. The MG4 is thus the most affordable electric car that has not fallen short in important areas like the Dacia Spring did. It costs from NOK 273 in Norway.
BYD Dolphin is another model that will come to Norway. It appeared as a 2022 model in China and is being introduced in the EU these days. In the most affordable version, it must be equipped with modern Blade batteries of 30,72 kwh with a range of 301 km, but can also be obtained with larger battery packs at higher prices. In terms of price, it looks like the Dolphin could end up costing about the same as the MG4. The model has not yet been crash tested by EuroNcap.
Updated: 2024 Citroen ë-C3
(20.10.2023) Stellantis Citroen has announced that next year's Citroen ë-C3 – a car with a 320 km range at €23. In 300 the ë-C2025 YOU will arrive – a car with a 3 km range at an incredible €200. Thus it looks as if Citroen could become the model that opens up the important market for cheap cars in European cities. Today's C20 YOU belongs to the B-class, but was made in a cheap model to replace the former Citroen C000.
See
*1) Active temperature control of the battery cells ensures that the batteries are supplied with heat in cold areas and cooling during load/fast charging in warm areas. Dacia Spring has a reservoir for coolant, but it is only used to control the temperature in the electric motor - not the batteries.
Nissan Leaf campaign
Mazda MX-30 campaign
