BMW’s 530e is proving a very popular model, with the company car-friendly running costs tempting enough drivers to make it the UK’s fourth best-selling plug-in car in 2017 – ahead of the likes of Tesla’s Model S and the VW Golf GTE. A good sized battery promises a range of up to 29 miles on a single charge.
Official NEDC Range
BMW 530e
Electric only29 miles
Hybrid*537 miles
Real-world Range
BMW 530e Electric only23 milesHybrid*381 miles
Hybrid*381 miles
* Combined range using both petrol and electric (from a single full charge)
How to charge a BMW 530e
The BMW 530e uses the Type 2 charging standard, which is used for all charging requirements. The Type 2 inlet is used when charging at home or at public slow and fast AC points. Like most PHEVs, the 530e has no rapid charging capabilities. The BMW 530e Type 2 inlet is found on the front flank behind the near-side front wheel and in front of the passenger door.
BMW’s 530e is able to be slow and fast charged from public points, depending on network and type of charge unit. In most cases, slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, and fast charging a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, both of which are usually supplied with the vehicle.
| Type 2 – Slow & Fast |
|---|
 |
Charging requires the PHEV driver to plug the connectors into the correct inlet, after which the car then ‘talks’ to the charging unit to make sure there is a power supply, that there are no faults, and that it is safe to start charging. If charging at private home or workplace charge point, the vehicle then automatically starts charging.
On a public charger, an activation process is required to initiate charging. Depending on the network provider, this may require the use of an RFID card or smartphone app, often linked to an account which has been set up beforehand. Contactless pay-as-you-go units are also becoming more common on newer units. Once activated, the units will conduct further connection and account checks before starting to charge the vehicle.
How long does it take to charge a BMW 530e?
The following table shows approximate times to charge a BMW 530e. Times are for a 100% charge.
Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%. Other factors that might vary the charging time include ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, any upper and lower charge restrictions to extend battery life and protect against potential damage, and charging rates slowing down as the maximum charge is reached.
| Fast 22kW | Fast 7kW | Slow 3kW |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 hours 0-100% | 2.5 hours 0-100% | 3 hours 0-100% |
The BMW 530e is fitted with a 3.7 kW on-board charger for AC charging. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 3.7 kW, the BMW 530e will only be able to charge at 3.7 kW.
Use Zap-Map’s Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for a BMW 530e. The level of battery charge, connector speed, and on-board charger options can be tailored to your requirements for more accurate results.
How much does it cost to charge a BMW 530e?
The table shown below shows estimates of the cost to charge the BMW 530e 9.2 kWh battery at home, on a domestic tariff. Cost estimates are dependent on the charge remaining, usable battery capacity, and age of battery pack. Cost per mile is calculated using an estimate of real-world range.
| Type | Cost/kWh | Cost to charge | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Standard | 14 p/kWh | £1.28 | 5.6 p/mile |
Based on these figures, the BMW 530e’s fuel costs in electric mode are 5-6 p/mile based on real-world energy usage, the cost depending on the type of charging. In general, home charging provides the cheapest per mile cost and public rapid charging tends to be around double the cost. These fuel costs compare favourably with 12-15 p/mile for conventional petrol and diesel cars.
To find the cost and times to charge an EV on a public charge point, Zap-Map’s Public Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. The results can be personalised for different electricity costs and the level of charge required.
Charging a BMW 530e at home
Charging at home is often the most convenient and cost effective way to recharge an EV. Government grants are available for the installation of home EV charge points, and a large number of companies offer a fully installed charge point for a fixed price.
Most home chargers are either rated at 3 kW or 7 kW. The higher powered wall-mounted units normally cost more than the slower 3 kW option, but halve the time required to fully charge an EV. Many plug-in car manufacturers have deals or partnerships with charge point suppliers, and in some cases provide a free home charge point as part of a new car purchase.
Charging a BMW 530e on public networks
The UK has a large number of public EV charging networks, with some offering national coverage and others only found in a specific region. The major UK-wide networks include BP Chargemaster (Polar), Ecotricity, Pod Point, and Charge Your Car.
Payment and access methods across networks vary, with some networks providing an RFID card and others a smartphone app to use their services. While most require an account to be set up before use, some rapid units with contactless PAYG card readers are starting to be installed.
Although many EV charge points are free to use, the majority of fast and rapid chargers require payment. Charging tariffs tend to comprise a flat connection fee, a cost per charging time (pence per hour) and/or a cost per energy consumed (pence per kWh). For more information about network tariffs, visit Zap-Map’s public charge point networks guides.
