Nissan Silence S04 Nanocar: Made for the Tightest Spots

Compact, nimble, and built for two. The all-electric Nissan Silence S04 brings back the spirit of the original Smart, promising maneuverability and ease in urban environments. Unlike ultra-compact competitors like the Opel Rocks-e or Fiat Topolino, the S04 offers a fully-fledged car experience, complete with air conditioning and suspension. But this comes at a higher price point.

A Compact Throwback to the Original Smart

For many, the first Smart car was revolutionary—small enough to park sideways, finding space even in crowded city streets. While today’s Smart has evolved into a larger crossover, the Silence S04 stays true to the original compact vision. “The S04 can still be parked sideways,” says Nissan Germany’s CEO Vincent Ricoux proudly.

With dimensions of 2.28 meters in length and 1.27 meters in width, the S04 has indeed inherited the Smart’s parking magic, marking it as the spiritual successor to the city car. In a market that’s steering away from compact EVs due to profitability concerns, Nissan has taken the bold step to re-enter this space.

A Two-Seat Electric Car with Real Car Comforts

Smaller electric cars still make a lot of sense, especially for younger drivers with an AM license limited to 45 km/h or older drivers who need a reliable, short-range vehicle. “We’re expanding mobility options for everyone,” says Ricoux.

Available in two versions, the S04 can reach 45 km/h in the L6e model or a faster 85 km/h in the L7e version, with one or two battery configurations. Our test model, equipped with two batteries, achieves up to 149 kilometers of range—ideal for city couriers or service providers.

Battery Service Like No Other

Silence offers the S04 in two ownership models. Buyers can either purchase the car outright, with the L6e starting at €11,995 and the L7e at €14,095, or opt for “Battery as a Service” (BaaS). This service will roll out in Germany in 2025, with current pricing based on the Spanish market, where BaaS provides a discount of up to 40%. Under this plan, customers only pay for the electricity they use and can swap depleted batteries at designated stations, making the process as seamless as possible.

At a charging station, the two 40-kilogram batteries are easily removed using wheels, similar to luggage trolleys. Users can exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, which simplifies longer trips. Silence’s battery swap system is similar to that of the Chinese EV brand Nio, though it’s less automated. The battery exchange can be done smoothly after a bit of practice.

Designed for City Life

In our test drive, we used the L7e version with two 5.6 kWh batteries, totaling 11.2 kWh. These batteries can be charged at home in about eight hours. With a maximum output of 22 kW (30 PS) from its two rear hub motors, the S04 accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in under seven seconds, reaching a top speed of 85 km/h—suitable for city streets and connecting roads. Drivers can choose from Eco, City, and Sport driving modes, with noticeable differences in power consumption. After 34.6 kilometers, our estimated remaining range varied significantly by mode: Eco showed 85 km, City indicated 67 km, and Sport just 54 km.

In the city, the S04 is a dream, with a tiny 3.5-meter turning radius that makes navigating narrow streets a breeze. Two offset seats allow adults to sit side-by-side comfortably—though “cozy” might be a better description. The slim-backed seats work fine for short trips but lack comfort for long rides. The S04, however, has advantages over similar cars like the Opel Rocks-e or Fiat Topolino; it’s a full car, with air conditioning, electric windows, and a proper suspension system that smooths out bumps far better than its Stellantis competitors. There’s even a 247-liter trunk, which can be expanded by folding down the passenger seat.

The Price Question

The starting price of €11,995 for the L6e model and €16,745 for the L7e does make the S04 a more expensive option. Next year, Citroën plans to release a version of its ë-C3 with a 200-kilometer range at around €19,990, putting pressure on Nissan’s pricing. The Silence S04 could hold its ground if BaaS becomes widely available and affordable, as it has in Spain.