Dacia challenges low-cost Chinese EVs with prototype 15,000 euro mini-car

By admin On Oct 6, 2025

By Gilles Guillaume

Renault’s (RENA.PA), low-cost brand Dacia on Monday unveiled a prototype electric mini-car that could cost less than 15,000 euros ($17,625), potentially providing a competitive alternative to low-cost Chinese electric vehicles.

The “Hipster Concept”, which could go into production if the European Union agrees to create a new small car category, is tiny, only 3 metres (9.84 ft) long and weighing less than 800 kg (1,763.7 lb). The shortest car on the market in Europe today, Leapmotor’s (9863.HK), T03 city car, is 62 cm longer.

CEO Katrin Adt, who recently moved from Mercedes-Benz. “If the opportunity to mass produce it arises, we are ready.”

A view shows the inside of the “Hipster Concept”, a mini-EV concept car, unveiled by Dacia during a presentation in Meudon, near Paris, France, September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Gilles Guillaume Purchase Licensing Rights

CAR SIMPLIFIED TO SLASH COSTS

The boxy three-door Hipster’s maximum speed would be around 90 km per hour (55.92 mph) and it would have a range of 150 km. According to data from Dacia, the average car travels under 40 km daily at an average speed of 56 km per hour.

Dacia has also simplified the Hipster to slash costs: it has canvas seats, a bare minimum of electronics, manual windows and straps to open the doors instead of handles. It could come in one colour, like the grey-blue of the prototype.

Renault and Stellantis have spearheaded a campaign for a new EU small car category – inspired by the Japanese Kei Cars – that would come with fewer mandatory features than large cars, particularly in terms of safety.

Dacia Design Director David Durand opens the door using a strap instead of the traditional handle on the “Hipster Concept”, a mini-EV concept car, unveiled by Dacia during a presentation in Meudon, near Paris, France, September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Gilles Guillaume Purchase Licensing Rights

Proponents argue that an urban or suburban car can do without many of these features while remaining safe, and that this is the only way to massively cut weight and price.

Dacia estimates the average new car price rose 63% between 2001 and 2020, and that European buyers need more affordable models. But a new small car category, on which talks are underway, would likely come with conditions.

“The regulations will also surely require the vehicle to be produced in Europe,” David Durand, design director of the Dacia brand, told Reuters. “We also need to develop the industrial model that goes with it.”

A person opens the rear window which is being used as a protection for the rear lights with no plastic lid, on the “Hipster Concept”, a mini-EV concept car, unveiled by Dacia during a presentation in Meudon, near Paris, France, September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Gilles Guillaume Purchase Licensing Rights

($1 = 0.8511 euros)

Reporting by Gilles Guillaume; Writing by Nick Carey; Editing by Jan Harvey

Source: reuters.com