You can effortlessly charge your BMW i8 at home, plug it in when you go to work, or top it off while you’re out and about at places like supermarkets and public parking lots (usually for free!).
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Hello, I just recently purchased a 15-plate i8. Totally adore it. I simply wanted to know if I could charge it by plugging the three-pin connector into an extension cord. How much time? What kind of basic home charger should I buy? Located in the UK. Many thanks
Use only the emergency charger (110/220V) that came with the vehicle because the battery pack is quite small and cannot be charged quickly (regardless of the charger).
If you need an extension lead, just use the 3 pin. Just approximately 3 hours are needed to fully recharge from flat.
Using an extension cord with the 220V charger is not a good idea. If you must, choose one built to handle extremely high currents. Without a doubt, do not use outside.
The original 220V charger (included with the automobile) can be used outside (except the plug).
The difference between charging at Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (220-240V) is not as great as you might imagine. Only 3.7KW is the artificial maximum charging rate (onboard) for the extremely small i8 battery!
You will never use a Level 2 (220-240V) charger to its maximum capacity because it can supply between 7.7 KW (32A) and 9.6 KW, but Level 1 (120v) chargers typically charge at only approximately 1.4 KW (40A).
Even in the best-case scenario, the smallest (32A) level 2 (220-240V) charger won’t even be able to charge at 50% of the maximum rate…
The battery pack on my 2015 i8 comfortably charges from 0% to 100% in 2 hours. Only 5.2 kWh of this 7.1 kWh are actually usable, and the BMW Wallbox Pro is set to a maximum output of 3.7 kW.
My pod point, which takes 2 hours to fully charge from zero, was just installed. Prior to that, I had been utilizing the domestic plug-in model that was provided.
Features Unique to Charging Your BMW i8:
The sporting model of the BMW I plug-in hybrid lineup, the BMW i8, genuinely distinguishes out thanks to its cutting-edge styling. With a 7.1 kWh capacity, the battery charges completely in just 2 hours when using a wallbox with a 3.7 kW charging output. You can anticipate a driving range of up to 37 km in electric mode after the battery is charged. A type 2 plug is present on the BMW i8. Using the corresponding charging cable, you can use the wallbox or a domestic outlet to power your BMW i8. However, because charging your automobile from a home connection will put the maximum demand on the socket for about 2:30 hours, we do not recommend doing so on a frequent basis for safety concerns. On the other hand, a 3.7 kW wallbox can charge your car securely and nearly twice as rapidly.
wire for charging the BMW i8
The BMW i8 can only be charged with a type 2 charging cable, often known as a “Mennekes” connector. Even whether a two- or three-phase connection is used, the charging procedure is always single-phase. The suggested type 2 charging cable has a 16A, single-phase current. The highest charging power is 3.7 kW, which translates to an hour and forty-five minute charging period.
Will my BMW charge at home?
A standard charging cable that may be inserted into your home’s wall socket is part of the usual home vehicle charger equipment for BMWs. On the other hand, a public charging cable (“Mode 3”) that comes with a Type 2 connector for BMW vehicles is advised for charging at public AC charging stations.
The BMW i8 can it charge by itself?
The procedure begins automatically as soon as the car is linked to the Wallbox through the charge cable, but it can be stopped at any time by pushing the stop button. The BMW i8 charges in a maximum of two hours with the BMW I Wallbox Pure for home installation.
How is a BMW battery charger connected?
Simply attach the charger’s red and black alligator clips to your BMW, then choose from the Motor Cycle, Automobile, Cold Battery, or Recondition Battery modes by pressing the mode button. A little orange and black connector divides the main charger from the CTEK charger charging clips.
How long does it take the BMW i8 to charge?
When designing the i8, BMW clearly intended to produce a true head-turner, and it has done so beautifully. The hybrid drivetrain of this car, which combines a gasoline engine and two electric motors, provides excellent plug-in electric/petrol driving that is seamless and all-wheel-drive. The entire package raises the bar for sports cars.
The BMW i8 requires roughly three hours to fully charge using a dedicated home charge port.
Can I use a Tesla charging station to recharge my BMW?
Yes, you may use a Tesla charging station to recharge your BMW electric vehicle. It can have some restrictions, though, and you might need to purchase other components like an adaptor. BMW electric cars and other non-Tesla vehicles may use any of the numerous Tesla charging stations located throughout the US thanks to a few available Tesla adapters.
I’m Scott, a huge fan of BMWs and a long-time owner of these incredible vehicles. I’m here to chronicle my encounters with BMWs over the years and, hopefully, to be of use to others.
How far can a BMW i8 travel on a single charge?
The i8 is an emissions-focused vehicle, as you might imagine. It can be driven totally on electricity for 22 miles at up to 75 mph, or you may combine the two power sources when the car is in EcoPro mode to provide a total range of 330 miles.
Although 134 mpg of fuel consumption is stated, really, you should anticipate to get closer to 35 to 40 mpg in everyday driving. Since the implementation of new VED laws in April 2017, vehicles with emissions of 49g/km are no longer exempt from the congestion charge and VED.
The i8 will, in general, be more efficient than almost every other conventionally powered vehicle in its class in daily driving, but those claimed economy figures are, at best, fanciful unless you spend most of your time driving about solely on battery power. As a result, the i8 is most advantageous financially and practically when the owner can charge it frequently, maybe both at home and at work.
How much time does it take a BMW to charge?
typical charging times for a BMW i4 Level 1 Charging (120V/1.2kW) takes about 100 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. Level 2 Charging (240V/11kW): 8.25 hours to reach 100% charge. DC/Level-3 Charging Fast Charging (195 kW): Charges from 0 to 80% in around 31 minutes.
Can you use the trunk to charge a BMW battery?
My installation is in the trunk. It’s usually preferable to have the charger as close to the battery as feasible when it comes to charging. The negative lead should be linked to the chassis, not the battery, and the positive lead should be attached to the battery terminal.
How long does it take a BMW plug-in hybrid to charge?
Do you own a plug-in hybrid BMW? You could charge in considerably less time. This kind of vehicle probably needs 1-4 hours to completely charge.
How is a non-Tesla vehicle charged at a Supercharger?
- (Version 4.2) Download the Tesla app.
- Locate your Supercharger location and choose “Charge Your Non-Tesla.”
- Choose a stall, plug in your vehicle, and then click “Start Charging” to begin charging.
- To end your session, click “Stop Charging.”
How long does a battery in a BMW i8 last?
In general, hybrid batteries have a lifespan of 6 to 10 years. There are anomalies in both ways, and warranties frequently provide coverage when products don’t live up to expectations. Although the batteries cannot be serviced by the average customer, it does provide warning signs that a repair or replacement may be forthcoming.
Why was the BMW i8 withdrawn from sale?
The BMW i8’s production run has come to an end, almost six years after the plug-in hybrid sportscar initially debuted on foreign markets. The i8’s production was supposed to expire in April 2020, but the German automaker was forced to delay it since one of its factories was shut down by the coronavirus outbreak.
The last BMW i8 has just gone off the assembly line, and it is a roadster with a Portimao Blue paint. Additionally, this i8 is allegedly the sole one with that color as a factory option. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor are connected in the sports car’s mid-engine configuration to produce a combined 374 horsepower.
BMW has turned its focus to a new line of custom electric vehicles, including the iX3 compact SUV, i4 sedan, and iNext SUV flagship, despite the i8 leaving the BMW product lineup. Within the next five years, a new sportscar based on the BMW Vision M Next concept that was unveiled last year is anticipated.
The BMW i8 sportscar was introduced in India in 2015 at a cost of Rs 2.29 crore, and it was just recently dropped from the brand’s lineup there. Despite never introducing the i8 Roadster in our market, the automaker again displayed the model at the 2018 Auto Expo.
Can I charge my EV using the dryer outlet?
Actually, there is one effective technique to charge your EV using a dryer outlet (or any other 240-volt outlet). The “240V Smart Splitter” by NeoCharge avoids the risks I mentioned above. The fact that it is UL-listed and has undergone extensive testing for safety makes it safer for the reasons I’ll discuss below in addition to the fact that it is safer overall. It serves as a safety device as well as an adaptor for dryer plugs.
The Smart Splitter ensures you don’t pull too much power through it at any given time rather than just having two wires emerge from the plug that could run simultaneously. The “main” outlet is located on one side of the box, and the “secondary” outlet is located on the other side. The dryer gets power whenever you need it and pauses EV charging if you plug in the dryer outlet splitter and place the dryer on the primary outlet. When the laundry is finished, it will switch to letting the automobile charge. So that you never overload your outlet, you can now easily split the electricity with your dryer and EV. The Smart Splitter doesn’t require programming; everything is done automatically thanks to a unique switching mechanism.
If you purchase the Dual-EV version of the Smart Splitter, it can also assist you if you have two EVs but just one 240-volt outlet. Simply connect one to the primary side and the second vehicle to the secondary side. If the primary vehicle is pulling at maximum capacity, it will let that vehicle charge completely before turning on the secondary vehicle. Again, the smart dividing technology does everything automatically.
You can charge two EVs at once without tripping your breaker if you have a Tesla or another car/EV charger where you can control the current limit. The built-in safety features of one vehicle will prevent you from tripping a circuit breaker or setting the home on fire if you fail to turn the charging down in that vehicle. Safety comes first.
The following popular 240-volt plugs are also compatible with the smart EV circuit splitter:
- Commonly used for older dryer outlets is NEMA 10-30.
- Commonly used for newer dryer outlets is NEMA 14-30.
- NEMA 10-50: a standard for stoves
- EV chargers frequently use the NEMA 14-50 standard.
- NEMA 6-50 — Often used for EV chargers and welders
The Smart Splitter costs less than $500, making it far more affordable than calling an electrician. Obtaining Level 2 home charging may be your only secure choice if you rent. The Smart Splitter is probably your best option if you want to charge your devices more quickly at home without spending a lot of money.