Silence S04: the electric minicar with swappable batteries to conquer the city

The new Silence S04 is an alternative to vehicles such as the Citroën AMI, the Renault Twizy or the Seat Minimó: a very compact car with seating for two occupants, powered by an electric motor and designed for urban journeys. Specifically, the Silence S04 measures 2.33 metres in length and 1.56 metres in width. This means that in the space where you would park a compact car, two S04s could fit in line, or even three side by side.

Two versions, swappable battery, up to 149 km of range

The Silence S04 is available in two versions. The L7e has a 14 kW motor, reaches a top speed of 90 km/h and is equipped with two batteries totalling 11.2 kWh of capacity, which allows a homologated range of 149 km. The L6e version reduces the electric motor’s power to 6 kW and has its top speed limited to 45 km/h, so it can be driven without a licence from the age of 15. The battery in this case is 5.6 kWh.

In both cases the batteries are of the “trolley” type, the same type used by the Silence S01 and S02 electric motorcycles, which makes them interchangeable. They are located under the seats and can be conveniently carried to the charging point, which can be a domestic socket at home. The Silence S04 can also be charged by plugging the vehicle directly into a charging point, for which it has a Schuko-type plug. A full battery charge takes around six hours from a domestic socket.

Its small dimensions do not prevent the S04 from offering room for two passengers, thanks to the asymmetrical seating layout, and it also has a small boot. Unlike the Citroën AMI, which has very limited equipment, the S04 offers options such as a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, a 7-inch multimedia system and anti-lock brakes.

The MySilence app ensures connectivity and lets you check where you parked the vehicle or the remaining range. It is also possible to use the smartphone as a key to access the vehicle and start it.

Silence’s battery-swapping station

An interesting aspect of the Silence S04 is the service the brand offers with its new Battery Stations. These are battery-exchange points where users can swap the depleted battery of their Silence vehicle (whether two- or four-wheeled) for a fully charged one in just a few minutes.

Besides the advantages this offers in eliminating charging time and the need to depend on a plug, another benefit is that Silence allows the S04 to be purchased without batteries, which reduces the purchase price, estimated to start from 7,500 euros. In addition, the user no longer has to worry about battery maintenance or possible deterioration. Seat also offers swappable batteries on the Minimó.

Silence’s idea is to offer this service 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at Battery Stations to be launched in strategically selected locations in the centres of major cities, starting in Barcelona this same year and adding Madrid from 2022.

Battery exchange is managed through an app, and the monthly fee planned for this service will be just over 20 euros. The brand’s plans for these exchange stations include incorporating other brands in the future, such as SEAT MÓ motorcycles, or the motorbikes of Acciona’s motosharing service.

Silence S04 image gallery