THE DACIA HIPSTER CONCEPT AIMS TO BE THE PEOPLE’S EV THAT FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON AFFORDABLE EVS
While most automakers are chasing bigger, heavier, and pricier electric cars, Dacia has decided to do what it does best - tear up the rulebook and start again from scratch. Enter the Dacia Hipster Concept, a tiny, unapologetically simple EV that’s equal parts clever, cool, and conscious. This is Dacia’s vision for electric mobility without the nonsense; ultra-affordable, ultra-essential, and unmistakably “à la Dacia.” Measuring just three metres long, this compact cube-on-wheels seats four adults and still manages to pack in a boot that expands from 70 to 500 litres. It’s the people’s EV reimagined for a world where less really can be more. According to Romain Gauvin, Head of Advanced Design at Dacia, “This is the most Dacia-esque project I’ve ever worked on. It has the same societal impact as the Logan did 20 years ago.” And that’s saying something - because when the Logan launched in 2004, it redefined what affordability meant in modern motoring.
The Hipster Concept doesn’t chase trends or specs for bragging rights. Instead, Dacia’s engineers focused on real life: short daily commutes, easy parking, minimal running costs, and a lighter footprint. Literally lighter, too - it’s 20% lighter than the Dacia Spring, which was already Europe’s most affordable EV. Less mass means less energy used to build and move it, translating to a 50% smaller carbon footprint over its lifetime compared to typical electric cars. It’s designed for how people actually drive, not how marketing departments think they do. In France, for instance, 94% of drivers cover less than 40 km per day, which the Hipster’s compact battery and efficient setup easily handle with just two recharges a week. With new-car prices in Europe up 77% since 2010, the idea of an honest, practical, truly affordable electric vehicle feels more radical than ever. Dacia’s goal with the Hipster Concept is simple: to make EV ownership accessible to the majority, not the minority.
The Hipster Concept’s design is simple, almost Lego-like, yet it’s immediately distinctive. It’s basically a tough little box on wheels - all four corners pushed out for maximum space and stability. There’s zero front or rear overhang, a horizontal front end with slim headlights, and a “friendly but serious” face that fits the brand’s personality perfectly. At the back, functionality rules. The two-piece tailgate stretches across the car’s full width for easy access, while rear lights integrated into the glass eliminate extra parts and cost. The body comes in a single colour with just three painted sections - everything else is designed to be durable, repairable, and cost-effective. Keeping with Dacia’s “robust and outdoor” DNA, the Hipster wears chunky Starkle® plastic cladding (made partly from recycled materials) and solid front and rear skid plates that are dyed in the mass, not painted. Even the door handles are replaced with simple fabric pull-straps - lighter, cheaper, and weirdly cool.
Step inside, and the space magic really begins. The upright design, nearly vertical windows, and flat roof make the Hipster feel bigger inside than it looks outside. A glass roof panel floods the cabin with light, while sliding side windows keep things basic yet functional. There’s proper space for four adults, with front seats positioned at Sandero height for comfort and visibility. The front seats form a bench-style layout, a nod to classic people’s cars of the past, and the open-frame design with mesh fabric keeps things airy and light. Boot space starts at 70 litres with four on board, expanding to 500 litres when the rear seats fold flat. The cabin features 11 YouClip® mounting points for accessories like cupholders, lights, or storage solutions. There’s no heavy infotainment system either - your smartphone docks in as the main interface, handling navigation, audio, and even keyless entry. A Bluetooth speaker doubles as the car’s sound system, perfect for unplugged road trips or spontaneous picnics.
For now, you can check it out virtually through the Dacia AR app, but if this quirky, back-to-basics EV ever hits production, it could easily become the modern equivalent of the Renault 4 or Citroën 2CV - a true car for the people. Proof that sometimes, the future doesn’t need touchscreens, 400 kW, or a light show to be exciting - it just needs a bit of common sense.
Take a look at the YouTube video hosted by the chaps from YOUCAR that shows off the latest EV concept that aims to be an affordable way into the EV life. We love quirky things like this, we'll take two, please: NEW Dacia Hipster Concept - World Premiere | YOUCAR
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