BMW i3 charging guide

BMW’s i3 is one of the most popular EVs in the UK and Europe, and the only one available as both pure-EV and range-extended i3 REX. Two battery upgrades during its time in production have seen range increase up to 186 miles on a charge. On top of that, a styling refresh has seen a sharper design come through, plus the introduction of a sportier BMW i3s variant.

How to charge a BMW i3

The BMW i3 range uses the CCS charging standard, which consists of a combined AC and DC inlet port. The top portion of the inlet is for the Type 2 connector, which is used when charging at home or at public slow and fast AC points. The both the upper and lower sections on the inlet are used to carry high power during rapid DC charging. The BMW i3’s CCS charging inlet is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel where you would expect to find a petrol flap.

The BMW i3 is able to be slow, fast and rapid charged from public points, depending on the 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, one of which is usually supplied with the vehicle. For rapid charging, the vehicle uses a tethered CCS connector which is part of the charging unit.

Type 2 – Slow & Fast	CCS – Rapid

Charging on AC or DC requires the EV 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 i3?

The following table shows approximate time to charge a BMW i3 94 Ah. Times are for a 100% charge for all but rapid charging, which is quoted for 0-80% as most rapid chargers reduce or cut power well before 100% charge to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.

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.

All BMW i3 variants are fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger for AC charging in addition to the Rapid 50 kW DC option. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 11 kW, the BMW i3 will only be able to charge at 11 kW.

Use Zap-Map’s Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for a BMW i3. 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 i3?

The table shown below shows estimates of the cost to charge the BMW i3’s 42 kWh battery. Cost estimates are dependent on the charge remaining, usable battery capacity, and age of battery pack.

Based on these figures, the BMW i3’s fuel costs are 2-7 p/mile based on real-world energy usage, charging at home or on the public network. This increases to around 10p per mile when charging at rapid points, with the increased price reflecting the convenience to charge quickly.

In general, home charging provides the cheapest per mile cost and public rapid charging tends to be around double the cost (per charge and per mile). These fuel costs compare favourably with 15-20 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 i3 at home

Buying a BMW i3 could entitle you to an EV Chargepoint Grant. This will give up to £350 or 75% off the cost of a fully installed charge point, should certain criteria be met.

Whether eligible for an EV Chargepoint Grant or not, it is recommended that should drivers have access to off-street parking or a dedicated/reliable space, they install an electric vehicle charge point. Most EV drivers will charge their car at or near home, often overnight when it is less likely to be needed, and there is potential for cheaper electricity.

There are a number of different units available on the market, though all will be smart. It is worth shopping around to see which features fit requirements and budget, though many manufacturers also have a preferred supplier. Although this is a good starting point, it is advisable to shop around.

Charging a BMW i3 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. Major charging networks include bp pulse, GeniePoint, GRIDSERVE, InstaVolt, Pod Point and ubitricity.

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.