The following table displays an estimated charging time for a BMW i3 with 94 Ah. Except for rapid charging, which is quoted for 0-80%, all times are for a 100% charge. This is because most rapid chargers reduce or limit power well before a 100% charge to protect the battery and maximize efficiency.
Keep in mind that the times are simply estimates because EVs hardly ever need to be fully charged from 0%. Ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy demands, any upper and lower charge restrictions to prolong battery life and safeguard against potential damage, and charging rates lowering when the maximum charge is reached are other variables that may affect the charging time.
In addition to the Rapid 50 kW DC option, all BMW i3 versions come equipped with an 11 kW on-board charger for AC charging. This means that the BMW i3 can only charge at 11 kW, even when attached to a fast charger with a rated output higher than 11 kW.
In This Article...
How to Charge Your i3 Autonomously
- Each time you charge, plug-in chargers must be manually attached to your charging port. If you forget, your electric driving range can be constrained.
- Autonomous charging is possible using wireless chargers. They use a pad positioned in your i3’s usual parking location to transmit energy over the air. The energy is delivered to a vehicle adapter, which then charges your battery.
Charging Times For Different BMW i3 Generations
Let’s now examine the following possibilities for charging an i3. Let’s begin by charging with the 120v AC circuit (BMW classifies this as a Level 1 charger). The most frequent method for recharging a vehicle is a 40 amp 240 volt AC wall box (Level 2 charger). In order to account for resistance, we also need to lower the charging rate in kWh by about 30%.
- 2015–2017 BMW i3 – From an empty state, the battery pack can take between 13 and 16 hours to fully charge.
- BMW i3 from 2017 to 2018: Expect a 16 to 19-hour charge time
- The 2019 BMW i3 will take 24 to 28 hours to fully charge.
- It will take roughly four to five hours to recharge a battery pack that hasn’t been entirely depleted in a 2015–2017 BMW i3.
- For a 33 kWh battery pack, the time is only up to five to six hours in the 2017–2018 BMW i3.
- The 44.2 kWh battery pack in the 2019 BMW i3 will need seven to eight hours to fully recharge.
These are, of course, based on depleted batteries at the beginning of the charging procedure.
- 2018 BMW i3: A 33 kWh battery pack can be recharged in under one hour.
- 2019 BMW i3: A 44 kWh battery pack requires around an hour and a half to fully recharge.
Charging times also depend on additional elements, such as:
- If the battery is cold, a DC fast charger will charge it much more slowly.
- the level of battery charge
Naturally, your results may/will differ. To finish where we began, though, go to your owner’s manual for details.
We’ve owned a total of five BMW i3s since 2017 between our team members. We had to build a few Level 2 stations in our homes and implicitly review a few of them, of course. Before deciding on a Level 2 station from ClipperCreek, we tested the Bosch, ChargePoint, and other brands.
They provide a selection of Level 2 charging units, including the more economical HCS-40P and the dual-charging HCS-40D.
DC rapid charging at level 3: SAE CCS Combo-cord
Drivers of the i3 can choose to refuel roughly every hour on long drives. But the i3 has a Quick Charge port by default that uses the SAE CCS combo-cord standard because it is a strong electric vehicle.
It can handle a 50 kilowatt power supply. At that point, it takes roughly 40 minutes to charge an empty battery in the current i3 to nearly 80% of its 153-mile capacity.
Can a BMW i3 be charged at home?
A Type 2 plug allows you to charge your BMW i3 at home, the office, or a public charging station. Additionally, there includes a CCS port for quick charging.
Can I use a Tesla supercharger to charge my BMW i3?
With a pilot project in the Netherlands, Tesla, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, opened its charging network to other electric vehicles. The business declared that non-Tesla vehicle owners would be able to access superchargers at ten different locations throughout the Netherlands via the Tesla app. This indicates that you can use a Tesla charging station to charge your non-Tesla EV. There are a few things you should keep in mind, though.
Tesla’s high-speed superchargers can only be utilized by Tesla vehicles, despite there being charging stations for non-Tesla drivers. Therefore, it is not possible to utilize a Supercharger with a BMW electric vehicle because to the lack of suitable adapters. The truth is that Tesla has thought about allowing other electric vehicles access to its Supercharger network. However, nothing has been officially confirmed by the company, so these are still just rumors.
Tesla’s automobiles need various connectors because European charging standards are different from American ones. Due to the fact that not all Tesla vehicles sold in Europe utilize Tesla’s specialized connector, the charging process is very different from that of other markets, like as North America.
Tesla uses the CCS standard in Europe so that a variety of vehicles can charge at locations without an adapter with a similar plug. Tesla claims that non-Tesla drivers using its charging stations could result in the business spending more money to support a variety of vehicles and make site modifications to accommodate these vehicles. This, it claims, advances Tesla’s objective of accelerating the global switch to sustainable energy.
As rival automakers seek to launch new electric vehicles, Tesla has more than 25,000 Superchargers installed across the world while they have formed alliances or invested in network firms. The Combined Charging System (CCS), which is utilized by BMW, Daimler, Ford, and the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi and Porsche, allows for the usage of the Superchargers.
How long does it take a charging station to fully charge a BMW i3?
The DC Rapid charge preparation that comes standard on every BMW i3 enables the vehicle to charge from a combination charging system (CCS) charge point to 80% in as little as 40 minutes.
How much time does it take a BMW i3 to charge at home?
At home, a 3-pin plug can take 11–12 hours to charge. It may take 4 hours to charge a Wallbox Plus. Depending on the type of connection, DC charging at gas stations might take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
How far can a BMW i3 travel on a single charge?
The Bolt EV’s 60.0-kWh battery and its EPA rating of 259 miles dwarf the i3’s 42.2-kWh battery pack’s 153-mile all-electric driving range rating. Similar to the Model 3, the Model 3 has a maximum range of 353 miles on its largest battery. However, only the i3 features a range-extension generator that starts when the battery’s charge drops below 5 percent and is powered by gasoline.
How much does a BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
- On eBay, a battery pack for a BMW i3 that had a capacity of 22 kWh at one point but is now only about 17.14 kWh is going for $2,500. This works out to about $145 per kWh. A
- According to a 2016 BMW study, a new i3 battery would cost roughly $16,000. This was for the 22 kWh packs used in the 2013–2016 model years, which came out to $727 per kWh in actual 2016 currency. A
- According to a 2015 InsideEV study, a 21.6 kWh battery pack would cost $13,725 or $635 per kWh. These costs were computed using data from an internet parts retailer. A
Uses gas the BMW i3?
It can be difficult to imagine that some of our automobiles no longer even require gas to run. One of the most technologically advanced cars on the market, the BMW i3 is entirely electric, so users never have to worry about fuel prices.
The lifespan of the BMW i3 battery
Battery life for 2021 BMW i3s ranges from three to five years, although it might vary depending on factors including driving style, weather, battery type, and more. Keep your car indoors, away from sharp changes in temperature or climate, to extend the life of your i3 battery.
What is the BMW i3’s reliability?
Is a pre-owned BMW i3 hatchback trustworthy? The i3 placed fourth out of nine electric vehicles in its class, receiving a score of 94.1% in our most recent dependability study. A solid achievement for BMW as a brand, placing 13th out of 30 manufacturers.
What is the BMW i3’s maximum range?
The BMW i3 with the most range? The BMW i3 and i3s with the optional Range Extender will have a 200-mile range, which is the longest range in the model’s history. This translates to a combustion engine range of 74 miles and an all-electric range of 126 miles.
Can you only use gas to power an i3?
Does the BMW i3 REx utilize gasoline then? The short response is no. It’s crucial to remember that the i3 REx still has an electric motor that propels the vehicle.
What do I need to charge an electric car in my garage?
There are some things you should be aware of when purchasing an electric vehicle. Since your automobile isn’t fueled the way you’re used to it and you won’t be able to stop at a gas station when your battery is empty (at least not as of the publication date of this article! ), learning how to charge your car is the most crucial skill. A charging station is required to recharge electric vehicles. Such charging stations have probably started to appear all over your town.
Thankfully, the designers have already included a workaround: charging your automobile at home. As opposed to relying only on public charging stations, it is more practical and less problematic. It takes some effort to get one of these stations set up at home, but once you do, you’re good to go.
There is a charger inside of your electric vehicle. The AC source from the electrons—the “fuel” for your car—is given here and converted to DC so that the battery pack may be charged. This is where the magic happens.
A wall-mounted box with a cord and connector that can provide the necessary number of volts of power is needed in your garage. Frequently used names for this kind of part include: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment You can safely connect to your electrical source and charge your car thanks to this crucial component.
When an electric vehicle is charging, can you sit inside?
You can sit in an electric vehicle just like you would when filling up with gas. Since EVs are carefully built to ensure user safety, there is little chance of electrocution when seated inside one while it is charging. With the support of Gear and Cylinder, electric vehicles are made to safely transfer high voltage and a high current to the battery. However, it can be dangerous to remain inside your car while charging for some specific EVs.
Does charging an electric vehicle with 110 or 220 volts cost less?
Your electric vehicle will charge significantly more quickly using a 240-volt charging system (sometimes referred to as level two charging). It is also intended for heavy, frequent use. Some of the devices, like the one shown in the image above, can even be plugged into outlets with both 110 and 240 volts.
We won’t go into great length on 240-volt chargers here; suffice it to say that we strongly advise you to get a reliable 240-volt charger to charge your plug-in hybrid and/or electric vehicle. Follow the link below for our in-depth overview/reviews and much more information about 240-volt chargers.