The BMW i3 has been one of the most successful and iconic EVs since its production started in 2013. The car has won significant accolades and is one of the most sold EVs in the world. BMW officially stopped production of the i3 in August 2022 and plans to introduce a successor car, the BMW iXi, in 2024.
Despite this, the BMW i3 isn’t going anywhere soon as there are over 220,000 units worldwide. The BMW i3 was especially popular in the United Kingdom, selling 22,000 EVs. Their popularity means they will remain in circulation in the UK for years. If you own or planning to purchase a BMW i3, this guide will inform you of everything you need to know about charging one.
The BMW i3 has an official range of 191 miles in optimum conditions, close to the average range of electric cars in the UK, which is 193 miles. It can reach 60 mph in 7 seconds and top speeds of 93 mph. This is slightly slower than the average for EVs.
The BMW i3 has a battery size of 42.2 kWh, and its efficiency is 245 Wh/miles. It produces no carbon emissions and was one of the first fully online all-electric vehicles alongside the Tesla Model S.
In the UK, there are only two EV charger types in use. One is for AC charging, which slow and fast chargers use, and the other is for DC charging, which is for rapid and ultra-rapid charging.
The AC connector that the BMW i3 uses is the Type 2 connector, often called the Mennekes. The BMW i3’s Type 2 charger can charge the car at a rate of up to 11 kW. You can find the charging port on the right side of the car near the rear of the vehicle. This is the most used connector, and it can be used at any charging place, whether at home, work or a public charging point.
The BMW i3’s DC connector is the CCS, the most popular DC charger in the world. It can charge the car at a rate of up to 49 kW. It is a CCS 2, which means it’s connected to the Type 2 connector. You can find the charge point in the same place on the car as the AC connector. Rapid charging is only possible at charging stations.
Charging a BMW i3 is a reasonably simple task to do. All you have to do is plug it into a charging point; this can be a plug at home, a slow charger at work or a public charging spot.
Each of these options takes different times to charge you’re vehicle fully. Factors beyond charger speed can affect how long it takes to charge your EV, such as car temperature, ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, battery life and battery condition.
Below we have collected all the information you’ll need to understand how long it’ll take for your car to charge at the different speeds the BMW i3 charges at. Except for the Rapid 50 kW+ charger, all these times are for a 100% charge.
We’ve calculated only up to 80% charge for rapid chargers as they slowly reduce kW usage before reaching 100% to protect battery life and maximise energy efficiency. This means that rapid chargers don’t charge at a consistent rate, so it is unfair to compare them with the other chargers, which charge the entire charge at the same speed.
The BS 1363 is the standard 3-pin plug you have in your home. All BMW EVs come with a standard BMW charging cable that is 5 metres long, which you can plug into any 3-pin plug to charge your car.
This can be very useful if you live far away from a charging point. However, you should be careful not to use the 3-pin plug as a charger too regularly as it can damage your home wiring. Never charge your EV using an extension lead.
The standard plug socket is the slowest option. It charges at around 3 kW per hour and would take around 14 hours to charge the BMW i3’s battery fully.
These chargers use the BMW i3’s Type 2 connector to charge. They’re slow chargers and are usually used by being left on for extended periods, for example, overnight. They can be found at home or work depending on if you’re workplace provides them.
If you want to have one at home, you should get a wall box charger installed at your home. These are rarely found at public charging points due to their low speed.
It’s a slow charger, so it will not fully charge your EV quickly, although it is slightly faster than the plug socket. It’ll take around 12 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 3.6 kW charger.
7 kW chargers are AC chargers and also use Type 2 connectors. They’re slightly faster than 3.6 kW chargers. They are usually found at home or work, where they are left on the charger for some time.
They are the lowest speed chargers you’ll probably find at public charging stations, although you are more likely to find fast or rapid chargers.
It’s still a slow charger, so it’s best to leave the charger plugged in for a while when you use it. It takes around 6 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 7 kW charger.
The 22 kW charger is still an AC charger that uses the Type 2 connector. It’s significantly faster than the 7 kW charger, although it only charges at less than 50% of the BMW i3’s potential speed.
You won’t find these chargers at home. It is possible to find these in workplaces, although they are rare. They are often found in public charging stations.
It’s a fast charger, although it’ll still take a long time to charge completely. It takes around 4 hours for a 22 kW charger to fully charge a BMW i3.
The 50 kW charger is a rapid charger which uses the CCS connector. It functions at the best speeds possible for the BMW i3. They are only found at public charging points.
It takes a 50 kW charger around 40 minutes to go from 0 - 80% charge in the BMW i3.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW. They use the DC CCS connector and are exclusively found at public charging points. They’re rarely found in the UK as the most common rapid chargers are the 50 kW chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers charge at the same speed as the 50 kW rapid charger for BMW i3s. This is because they exceed the maximum charge of the EV, which is 49 kW. Due to this, ultra-rapid chargers can go from 0 - 80% in 40 minutes, just like 50 kW chargers.
There are three main places where you are likely to charge your EV. At home, at work and at public charging stations. Each has pros and cons, which you should know when choosing where to charge.
Home charging is when you charge at your home. At home, you will only have access to slow chargers. You can install a 3.6 kW or 7 kW charger at your home or use a plug socket.
The best time to charge your car at home is during the nighttime because charging during off-peak hours costs less, around 0.08p per kWh. This amounts to £3.40 to fully charge a BMW i3, a rate of 1.8p per mile. This is the cheapest way to charge your i3.
Another positive to charging at home is that you can use the 5m cable provided with your BMW i3 and not have to worry about connector types.
There are grants available in the UK to help you install a home charging station. The OZEV EV chargepoint grant is up to £350 or 75% off the cost of a fully installed charge point if specific requirements are met.
If you live in Scotland, you can also get the EST (Energy Saving Trust) domestic chargepoint grant of up to £300. The EST grant can be given alongside the OZEV EV chargepoint grant.
All home chargers are slow, between 3.6 kW and 7 kW. This means that they take a lot of time to charge fully. If you charge during peak hours, the prices are much higher than off-peak. It costs 26p per kWh to charge the BMW i3 fully.
That amounts to £10.90, which is 5.7p per mile, which isn’t too different to the costs of using a fast charger. At those rates, it may be more sensible to charge at a public charging point rather than slow charging at home.
If you decide not to get a home charging station, you can always use your 3-pin plug. However, this isn’t good for constant use as it can damage your home wiring.
More and more companies are providing charge points for their employees to use at work. That makes them a convenient place to charge your car if you’re there for an extended period. Chargers at workplaces are usually slow chargers, although some provide fast chargers.
Depending on the workplace, your employer may pay for your charging; this can save you a lot of money in charging fees. It’s convenient to charge while at work due to the hours spent there, and they often have faster chargers. You also don’t have to pay for home installation, which saves you money.
Unfortunately, not all workplaces provide charging, so it might not be an option for you. If they provide them, they might still make you pay for use, which could be costly as people usually work during peak hours, meaning you're paying a premium for kW usage.
You can find public charging stations all over the country. They can be found in supermarkets, service stations and other public areas.
Public charging stations are the only places you can find rapid or ultra-rapid charging. They’re the fastest way to charge, and they can be very convenient to use. Some charging stations are even free!
Different public networks provide charging stations, meaning each one has different prices. Some require you to use their app, buy an RFID card and even pay membership fees. This can get complicated.
Bonnet can help you find the perfect charging station for you. You can use our interactive map to locate the best charging station for you and avoid the trouble of finding a charging point that charges at the perfect speeds and prices.
Bonnet helps you secure your payments and bypass the need for downloading multiple apps to use charging networks since it connects over 17 charging networks in one application. Bonnet has one price for all charges within their partner network. You can save money on charging if you get our Bonnet Refill package which ensures you won’t be overcharged. If you’re interested in Bonnet, download our app and start your new EV journey.
You should try not to charge your car to 100% unless you’re going on a long trip. Charging up to maximum power can lead to battery degradation and limit your BMW i3 range.
The BMW i3 can go 191 miles once fully charged. However, the battery will decline if misused, which can cause its range to degrade over time.
You should use your BMW i3 now and then, or else it could potentially go flat. Try to charge your battery before it reaches 20% battery health.
The BMW i3 has been one of the most successful and iconic EVs since its production started in 2013. The car has won significant accolades and is one of the most sold EVs in the world. BMW officially stopped production of the i3 in August 2022 and plans to introduce a successor car, the BMW iXi, in 2024.
Despite this, the BMW i3 isn’t going anywhere soon as there are over 220,000 units worldwide. The BMW i3 was especially popular in the United Kingdom, selling 22,000 EVs. Their popularity means they will remain in circulation in the UK for years. If you own or planning to purchase a BMW i3, this guide will inform you of everything you need to know about charging one.
The BMW i3 has an official range of 191 miles in optimum conditions, close to the average range of electric cars in the UK, which is 193 miles. It can reach 60 mph in 7 seconds and top speeds of 93 mph. This is slightly slower than the average for EVs.
The BMW i3 has a battery size of 42.2 kWh, and its efficiency is 245 Wh/miles. It produces no carbon emissions and was one of the first fully online all-electric vehicles alongside the Tesla Model S.
In the UK, there are only two EV charger types in use. One is for AC charging, which slow and fast chargers use, and the other is for DC charging, which is for rapid and ultra-rapid charging.
The AC connector that the BMW i3 uses is the Type 2 connector, often called the Mennekes. The BMW i3’s Type 2 charger can charge the car at a rate of up to 11 kW. You can find the charging port on the right side of the car near the rear of the vehicle. This is the most used connector, and it can be used at any charging place, whether at home, work or a public charging point.
The BMW i3’s DC connector is the CCS, the most popular DC charger in the world. It can charge the car at a rate of up to 49 kW. It is a CCS 2, which means it’s connected to the Type 2 connector. You can find the charge point in the same place on the car as the AC connector. Rapid charging is only possible at charging stations.
Charging a BMW i3 is a reasonably simple task to do. All you have to do is plug it into a charging point; this can be a plug at home, a slow charger at work or a public charging spot.
Each of these options takes different times to charge you’re vehicle fully. Factors beyond charger speed can affect how long it takes to charge your EV, such as car temperature, ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, battery life and battery condition.
Below we have collected all the information you’ll need to understand how long it’ll take for your car to charge at the different speeds the BMW i3 charges at. Except for the Rapid 50 kW+ charger, all these times are for a 100% charge.
We’ve calculated only up to 80% charge for rapid chargers as they slowly reduce kW usage before reaching 100% to protect battery life and maximise energy efficiency. This means that rapid chargers don’t charge at a consistent rate, so it is unfair to compare them with the other chargers, which charge the entire charge at the same speed.
The BS 1363 is the standard 3-pin plug you have in your home. All BMW EVs come with a standard BMW charging cable that is 5 metres long, which you can plug into any 3-pin plug to charge your car.
This can be very useful if you live far away from a charging point. However, you should be careful not to use the 3-pin plug as a charger too regularly as it can damage your home wiring. Never charge your EV using an extension lead.
The standard plug socket is the slowest option. It charges at around 3 kW per hour and would take around 14 hours to charge the BMW i3’s battery fully.
These chargers use the BMW i3’s Type 2 connector to charge. They’re slow chargers and are usually used by being left on for extended periods, for example, overnight. They can be found at home or work depending on if you’re workplace provides them.
If you want to have one at home, you should get a wall box charger installed at your home. These are rarely found at public charging points due to their low speed.
It’s a slow charger, so it will not fully charge your EV quickly, although it is slightly faster than the plug socket. It’ll take around 12 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 3.6 kW charger.
7 kW chargers are AC chargers and also use Type 2 connectors. They’re slightly faster than 3.6 kW chargers. They are usually found at home or work, where they are left on the charger for some time.
They are the lowest speed chargers you’ll probably find at public charging stations, although you are more likely to find fast or rapid chargers.
It’s still a slow charger, so it’s best to leave the charger plugged in for a while when you use it. It takes around 6 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 7 kW charger.
The 22 kW charger is still an AC charger that uses the Type 2 connector. It’s significantly faster than the 7 kW charger, although it only charges at less than 50% of the BMW i3’s potential speed.
You won’t find these chargers at home. It is possible to find these in workplaces, although they are rare. They are often found in public charging stations.
It’s a fast charger, although it’ll still take a long time to charge completely. It takes around 4 hours for a 22 kW charger to fully charge a BMW i3.
The 50 kW charger is a rapid charger which uses the CCS connector. It functions at the best speeds possible for the BMW i3. They are only found at public charging points.
It takes a 50 kW charger around 40 minutes to go from 0 - 80% charge in the BMW i3.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW. They use the DC CCS connector and are exclusively found at public charging points. They’re rarely found in the UK as the most common rapid chargers are the 50 kW chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers charge at the same speed as the 50 kW rapid charger for BMW i3s. This is because they exceed the maximum charge of the EV, which is 49 kW. Due to this, ultra-rapid chargers can go from 0 - 80% in 40 minutes, just like 50 kW chargers.
There are three main places where you are likely to charge your EV. At home, at work and at public charging stations. Each has pros and cons, which you should know when choosing where to charge.
Home charging is when you charge at your home. At home, you will only have access to slow chargers. You can install a 3.6 kW or 7 kW charger at your home or use a plug socket.
The best time to charge your car at home is during the nighttime because charging during off-peak hours costs less, around 0.08p per kWh. This amounts to £3.40 to fully charge a BMW i3, a rate of 1.8p per mile. This is the cheapest way to charge your i3.
Another positive to charging at home is that you can use the 5m cable provided with your BMW i3 and not have to worry about connector types.
There are grants available in the UK to help you install a home charging station. The OZEV EV chargepoint grant is up to £350 or 75% off the cost of a fully installed charge point if specific requirements are met.
If you live in Scotland, you can also get the EST (Energy Saving Trust) domestic chargepoint grant of up to £300. The EST grant can be given alongside the OZEV EV chargepoint grant.
All home chargers are slow, between 3.6 kW and 7 kW. This means that they take a lot of time to charge fully. If you charge during peak hours, the prices are much higher than off-peak. It costs 26p per kWh to charge the BMW i3 fully.
That amounts to £10.90, which is 5.7p per mile, which isn’t too different to the costs of using a fast charger. At those rates, it may be more sensible to charge at a public charging point rather than slow charging at home.
If you decide not to get a home charging station, you can always use your 3-pin plug. However, this isn’t good for constant use as it can damage your home wiring.
More and more companies are providing charge points for their employees to use at work. That makes them a convenient place to charge your car if you’re there for an extended period. Chargers at workplaces are usually slow chargers, although some provide fast chargers.
Depending on the workplace, your employer may pay for your charging; this can save you a lot of money in charging fees. It’s convenient to charge while at work due to the hours spent there, and they often have faster chargers. You also don’t have to pay for home installation, which saves you money.
Unfortunately, not all workplaces provide charging, so it might not be an option for you. If they provide them, they might still make you pay for use, which could be costly as people usually work during peak hours, meaning you're paying a premium for kW usage.
You can find public charging stations all over the country. They can be found in supermarkets, service stations and other public areas.
Public charging stations are the only places you can find rapid or ultra-rapid charging. They’re the fastest way to charge, and they can be very convenient to use. Some charging stations are even free!
Different public networks provide charging stations, meaning each one has different prices. Some require you to use their app, buy an RFID card and even pay membership fees. This can get complicated.
Bonnet can help you find the perfect charging station for you. You can use our interactive map to locate the best charging station for you and avoid the trouble of finding a charging point that charges at the perfect speeds and prices.
Bonnet helps you secure your payments and bypass the need for downloading multiple apps to use charging networks since it connects over 17 charging networks in one application. Bonnet has one price for all charges within their partner network. You can save money on charging if you get our Bonnet Refill package which ensures you won’t be overcharged. If you’re interested in Bonnet, download our app and start your new EV journey.
The BMW i3 has been one of the most successful and iconic EVs since its production started in 2013. The car has won significant accolades and is one of the most sold EVs in the world. BMW officially stopped production of the i3 in August 2022 and plans to introduce a successor car, the BMW iXi, in 2024.
Despite this, the BMW i3 isn’t going anywhere soon as there are over 220,000 units worldwide. The BMW i3 was especially popular in the United Kingdom, selling 22,000 EVs. Their popularity means they will remain in circulation in the UK for years. If you own or planning to purchase a BMW i3, this guide will inform you of everything you need to know about charging one.
The BMW i3 has an official range of 191 miles in optimum conditions, close to the average range of electric cars in the UK, which is 193 miles. It can reach 60 mph in 7 seconds and top speeds of 93 mph. This is slightly slower than the average for EVs.
The BMW i3 has a battery size of 42.2 kWh, and its efficiency is 245 Wh/miles. It produces no carbon emissions and was one of the first fully online all-electric vehicles alongside the Tesla Model S.
In the UK, there are only two EV charger types in use. One is for AC charging, which slow and fast chargers use, and the other is for DC charging, which is for rapid and ultra-rapid charging.
The AC connector that the BMW i3 uses is the Type 2 connector, often called the Mennekes. The BMW i3’s Type 2 charger can charge the car at a rate of up to 11 kW. You can find the charging port on the right side of the car near the rear of the vehicle. This is the most used connector, and it can be used at any charging place, whether at home, work or a public charging point.
The BMW i3’s DC connector is the CCS, the most popular DC charger in the world. It can charge the car at a rate of up to 49 kW. It is a CCS 2, which means it’s connected to the Type 2 connector. You can find the charge point in the same place on the car as the AC connector. Rapid charging is only possible at charging stations.
Charging a BMW i3 is a reasonably simple task to do. All you have to do is plug it into a charging point; this can be a plug at home, a slow charger at work or a public charging spot.
Each of these options takes different times to charge you’re vehicle fully. Factors beyond charger speed can affect how long it takes to charge your EV, such as car temperature, ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, battery life and battery condition.
Below we have collected all the information you’ll need to understand how long it’ll take for your car to charge at the different speeds the BMW i3 charges at. Except for the Rapid 50 kW+ charger, all these times are for a 100% charge.
We’ve calculated only up to 80% charge for rapid chargers as they slowly reduce kW usage before reaching 100% to protect battery life and maximise energy efficiency. This means that rapid chargers don’t charge at a consistent rate, so it is unfair to compare them with the other chargers, which charge the entire charge at the same speed.
The BS 1363 is the standard 3-pin plug you have in your home. All BMW EVs come with a standard BMW charging cable that is 5 metres long, which you can plug into any 3-pin plug to charge your car.
This can be very useful if you live far away from a charging point. However, you should be careful not to use the 3-pin plug as a charger too regularly as it can damage your home wiring. Never charge your EV using an extension lead.
The standard plug socket is the slowest option. It charges at around 3 kW per hour and would take around 14 hours to charge the BMW i3’s battery fully.
These chargers use the BMW i3’s Type 2 connector to charge. They’re slow chargers and are usually used by being left on for extended periods, for example, overnight. They can be found at home or work depending on if you’re workplace provides them.
If you want to have one at home, you should get a wall box charger installed at your home. These are rarely found at public charging points due to their low speed.
It’s a slow charger, so it will not fully charge your EV quickly, although it is slightly faster than the plug socket. It’ll take around 12 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 3.6 kW charger.
7 kW chargers are AC chargers and also use Type 2 connectors. They’re slightly faster than 3.6 kW chargers. They are usually found at home or work, where they are left on the charger for some time.
They are the lowest speed chargers you’ll probably find at public charging stations, although you are more likely to find fast or rapid chargers.
It’s still a slow charger, so it’s best to leave the charger plugged in for a while when you use it. It takes around 6 hours to fully charge the BMW i3 using a 7 kW charger.
The 22 kW charger is still an AC charger that uses the Type 2 connector. It’s significantly faster than the 7 kW charger, although it only charges at less than 50% of the BMW i3’s potential speed.
You won’t find these chargers at home. It is possible to find these in workplaces, although they are rare. They are often found in public charging stations.
It’s a fast charger, although it’ll still take a long time to charge completely. It takes around 4 hours for a 22 kW charger to fully charge a BMW i3.
The 50 kW charger is a rapid charger which uses the CCS connector. It functions at the best speeds possible for the BMW i3. They are only found at public charging points.
It takes a 50 kW charger around 40 minutes to go from 0 - 80% charge in the BMW i3.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW. They use the DC CCS connector and are exclusively found at public charging points. They’re rarely found in the UK as the most common rapid chargers are the 50 kW chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers charge at the same speed as the 50 kW rapid charger for BMW i3s. This is because they exceed the maximum charge of the EV, which is 49 kW. Due to this, ultra-rapid chargers can go from 0 - 80% in 40 minutes, just like 50 kW chargers.
There are three main places where you are likely to charge your EV. At home, at work and at public charging stations. Each has pros and cons, which you should know when choosing where to charge.
Home charging is when you charge at your home. At home, you will only have access to slow chargers. You can install a 3.6 kW or 7 kW charger at your home or use a plug socket.
The best time to charge your car at home is during the nighttime because charging during off-peak hours costs less, around 0.08p per kWh. This amounts to £3.40 to fully charge a BMW i3, a rate of 1.8p per mile. This is the cheapest way to charge your i3.
Another positive to charging at home is that you can use the 5m cable provided with your BMW i3 and not have to worry about connector types.
There are grants available in the UK to help you install a home charging station. The OZEV EV chargepoint grant is up to £350 or 75% off the cost of a fully installed charge point if specific requirements are met.
If you live in Scotland, you can also get the EST (Energy Saving Trust) domestic chargepoint grant of up to £300. The EST grant can be given alongside the OZEV EV chargepoint grant.
All home chargers are slow, between 3.6 kW and 7 kW. This means that they take a lot of time to charge fully. If you charge during peak hours, the prices are much higher than off-peak. It costs 26p per kWh to charge the BMW i3 fully.
That amounts to £10.90, which is 5.7p per mile, which isn’t too different to the costs of using a fast charger. At those rates, it may be more sensible to charge at a public charging point rather than slow charging at home.
If you decide not to get a home charging station, you can always use your 3-pin plug. However, this isn’t good for constant use as it can damage your home wiring.
More and more companies are providing charge points for their employees to use at work. That makes them a convenient place to charge your car if you’re there for an extended period. Chargers at workplaces are usually slow chargers, although some provide fast chargers.
Depending on the workplace, your employer may pay for your charging; this can save you a lot of money in charging fees. It’s convenient to charge while at work due to the hours spent there, and they often have faster chargers. You also don’t have to pay for home installation, which saves you money.
Unfortunately, not all workplaces provide charging, so it might not be an option for you. If they provide them, they might still make you pay for use, which could be costly as people usually work during peak hours, meaning you're paying a premium for kW usage.
You can find public charging stations all over the country. They can be found in supermarkets, service stations and other public areas.
Public charging stations are the only places you can find rapid or ultra-rapid charging. They’re the fastest way to charge, and they can be very convenient to use. Some charging stations are even free!
Different public networks provide charging stations, meaning each one has different prices. Some require you to use their app, buy an RFID card and even pay membership fees. This can get complicated.
Bonnet can help you find the perfect charging station for you. You can use our interactive map to locate the best charging station for you and avoid the trouble of finding a charging point that charges at the perfect speeds and prices.
Bonnet helps you secure your payments and bypass the need for downloading multiple apps to use charging networks since it connects over 17 charging networks in one application. Bonnet has one price for all charges within their partner network. You can save money on charging if you get our Bonnet Refill package which ensures you won’t be overcharged. If you’re interested in Bonnet, download our app and start your new EV journey.
You should try not to charge your car to 100% unless you’re going on a long trip. Charging up to maximum power can lead to battery degradation and limit your BMW i3 range.
The BMW i3 can go 191 miles once fully charged. However, the battery will decline if misused, which can cause its range to degrade over time.
You should use your BMW i3 now and then, or else it could potentially go flat. Try to charge your battery before it reaches 20% battery health.
