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Dacia has unveiled the Hipster Concept, a forward-thinking vision of electric mobility that focuses on essential features, real-world usability and a dramatically reduced environmental impact. The fully electric concept aims to halve the carbon footprint of current EVs while remaining affordable and practical for everyday use.
While much of the automotive industry has moved toward larger, heavier and more complex vehicles, Dacia is challenging this trend. For more than two decades, the brand has focused on making essential mobility accessible to as many people as possible. The Hipster Concept represents the next step in that mission — a completely fresh approach to the “people’s car” for the electric era.
Romain Gauvin, Head of Advanced Design and Exterior Design at Dacia, explained:
“This is the most Dacia-esque project that I have ever worked on. It has the same societal impact as the Logan did 20 years ago, and it involves inventing something that does not exist today.”
The Hipster Concept has been created by studying how people actually use their cars day to day. The result is a compact, agile and efficient vehicle that focuses on what really matters. At just 3 metres long, 1.53 metres high and 1.55 metres wide, it fits four adults comfortably and offers a flexible boot that expands from 70 to 500 litres.
It’s 20% lighter than Dacia’s Spring EV thanks to an “Eco-Smart” design approach that uses fewer raw materials and less energy during manufacturing. This reduced weight also means greater efficiency on the road, using less energy to travel the same distance. The concept is aimed at everyday driving needs, with enough range to cover typical daily journeys and only requiring a recharge around twice a week.
By simplifying construction and focusing on efficiency, Dacia hopes to make electric mobility accessible to a much wider audience. This comes at a time when the average price of new cars in Europe has risen by 77% since 2010, making affordability more important than ever.
The Hipster Concept embraces a straightforward, robust design language. It features short overhangs, a horizontal front end with slim headlights, and a wide, two-part tailgate that improves access to the boot. True to Dacia’s cost-effective ethos, the rear lights sit behind the tailgate window, eliminating the need for extra glass panels.
The body uses a single paint colour with only three painted sections, while Starkle® side protection (a recycled plastic material developed by Dacia) and moulded skid plates enhance its durability. Even the door handles are replaced by simple straps.
Inside, the Hipster Concept maximises space through its boxy shape, vertical glazing and clever layout. Four adults can sit comfortably, with front seats positioned like those in the Sandero for a commanding view of the road. The glazed roof adds light, while sliding windows help reduce cost and weight.
The interior design is simple yet warm, featuring visible seat frames and technical mesh fabric. The front seats are joined to form a bench, reminiscent of classic popular cars, while openwork headrests keep weight down. With the rear seats folded, the boot can expand to 500 litres, making it versatile enough for daily errands or weekend trips.
Safety and comfort are supported by two airbags and Dacia’s innovative YouClip® system, which allows owners to personalise the cabin with 11 mounting points across the dashboard, doors and boot. A range of accessories can be clipped in, including cup holders, armrests and lights.
In line with Dacia’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach, the Hipster Concept uses the driver’s smartphone as the heart of its infotainment system. The phone docks on the dashboard to provide navigation and media through a connected Bluetooth speaker, and even acts as a digital key for unlocking and starting the vehicle.
The Dacia Hipster Concept rethinks electric mobility from the ground up, focusing on real-world needs rather than unnecessary complexity. It is light, practical, efficient and accessible, as well as a modern interpretation of the true “people’s car” for the electric age.