Renault’s low-cost brand, Dacia, has unveiled a prototype electric mini-car known as the “Hipster Concept,” designed to offer an affordable alternative to budget Chinese electric vehicles. Expected to cost less than €15,000 ($17,625), the tiny vehicle measures just 3 metres in length and weighs under 800 kg, making it significantly shorter than the smallest current European model, Leapmotor’s T03. The concept’s launch signals Dacia’s ambition to redefine affordable urban mobility, pending the European Union’s approval for a new small car category.
Dacia CEO Katrin Adt described the Hipster as “a concept of Dacia’s bold vision for local, affordable and everyday mobility,” noting the company’s readiness to produce the vehicle if regulatory conditions allow. The three-door, boxy car has a top speed of around 90 km per hour and a range of 150 km, which Dacia says suits the average European driver, who travels less than 40 km daily. Designed for simplicity, the Hipster features canvas seats, minimal electronics, manual windows, and door straps instead of handles, reducing costs and manufacturing complexity.
Renault and Stellantis have been leading efforts for the EU to establish a new small car category similar to Japan’s Kei Cars, which would allow manufacturers to produce lighter and cheaper vehicles with fewer mandatory safety features. Advocates argue that compact urban cars do not require the same specifications as larger models and that such regulations would make electric mobility more accessible to the public.
Dacia estimates that the average price of new cars in Europe rose by 63% between 2001 and 2020, creating a growing need for affordable electric options. While the proposed small car category is still under discussion, it may come with production stipulations. Dacia’s design director, David Durand, emphasized that any future regulations would likely require local manufacturing in Europe, noting that the company is also working on developing a suitable industrial model to support the Hipster’s potential production.