Dacia’s all-electric Spring and TikTok’s Chip Shop Diva deliver free seaside chips to celebrate Britain’s best-loved comfort food
On 6 June, the Kentish seaside town of Deal lived up to its name as hundreds of delighted visitors were treated to a very special deal indeed: free fish and chips served piping hot by TikTok’s viral sensation, Destiny Harold — aka the Chip Shop Diva — from the UK’s most affordable new electric car, the Dacia Spring.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Deal Pier, Dacia rolled out the ‘Batter-y Powered Chip Shop’, a tongue-in-cheek pop-up chippy run entirely off the grid thanks to the Spring’s clever Vehicle to Load (V2L) technology. The V2L feature allows almost any household appliance to draw power directly from the car’s battery — in this case, two sizzling tabletop fryers dishing up golden chips and a limited run of battered fish.
More than 300 portions were served to tourists and locals alike, with Destiny Harold adding her signature flair to every cone. Unsurprisingly, a queue soon formed as the smell of freshly fried chips filled the sea air — and not just because they were free.
“Cooking chips using the Vehicle to Load technology on the Dacia Spring is a fun way to show just how versatile our cars are,” said Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK. “Where better to take the UK’s most affordable new electric car than to Deal? It’s a great fit!”
The event tapped into the national psyche, as research commissioned by Dacia revealed the enduring love Brits have for fish and chips. Two-thirds (66%) treat themselves to the dish when on holiday, with almost half (46%) saying no holiday feels complete without it. Chips remain the main attraction for 69% of respondents, and nearly three-quarters (71%) agreed the humble chip tastes best by the seaside.
Adding to the authentic flavour of the event, Dacia partnered with local institution The Blue Mermaid Fish Bar, ensuring the town’s culinary pride was well represented on National Fish and Chip Day — now in its tenth year and growing stronger as a celebration of this beloved British staple.
Food psychologist James Cornish was on hand to explain the dish’s enduring appeal: “Golden, salty, comforting, and steeped in history, this timeless dish is more than a meal – it’s a national treasure. There’s a certain kind of magic in fish and chips – a simple meal that somehow carries the weight of memory, comfort, and delight.”
Of course, the star attraction — aside from the Diva herself — was the Dacia Spring, retailing from just £14,995. Heralded as “cheap as chips” in more ways than one, the Spring is designed to make electric mobility accessible to all, offering real-world practicality with clever features and a price tag that undercuts the competition by thousands.
Destiny Harold summed up the day with trademark enthusiasm: “I’ve had a lovely time in Deal with Dacia – what could be better than free chippy chips by the sea, powered by a car? It’s the perfect combo of flavour and forward-thinking.”
With the sizzle of sustainability and a healthy dose of national pride, Dacia’s chip-powered celebration brought electric energy — and joy — to the seaside in more ways than one.
