AC CHARGING
HOME + PUBLIC

Fast
240V charging with up to 58 Km per 1 hour of charging.*

DC FAST CHARGING
PUBLIC ONLY

Faster
High-powered charging with up to 174 Km per 10 min of charging.*

*Actual range will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to: vehicle model, tire and wheel selection, driving style, traffic conditions, battery charge level when charging begins and outside temperatures.

CHARGING: AC OR DC?
________

The simple answer is that you can do either.

The difference lies in the power given out by the charging station and therefore in how long it takes to charge the electric car. Fast charging uses direct current (DC), whereas most everyday electrical items – from domestic sockets to most public charging stations – work with alternating current (AC). But it’s no problem – EV chargers automatically convert AC into DC. The only issue is that with AC charging you’re limited to an output of 22 kW. A DC charging station, on the other hand, is also known as an EV fast charger because it produces a much higher power output and therefore cuts charging time considerably.

CHARGING: AC OR DC?

________

The simple answer is that you
can do either.

The difference lies in the power given out by the charging station and therefore in how long it takes to charge the electric car. Fast charging uses direct current (DC), whereas most everyday electrical items – from domestic sockets to most public charging stations – work with alternating current (AC). But it’s no problem – EV chargers automatically convert AC into DC. The only issue is that with AC charging you’re limited to an output of 22 kW. A DC charging station, on the other hand, is also known as an EV fast charger because it produces a much higher power output and therefore cuts charging time considerably.

HOME CHARGING

Charge in your sleep. With the Flexible Fast Charger or BMW Wallbox, you can conveniently charge your BMW at home overnight – and wake up to a full charge in the morning.

THE BMW WALLBOX

The easiest way to charge an electric vehicle is at home – at your own charging station, as it were. BMW therefore offers a private EV charging station: the BMW i Wallbox, which offers a charging output of 22 kW (BMW electric vehicles currently have a maximum AC charging power of 11 kW). The BMW Installation Service is available for advice and the professional installation of your Wallbox.

FLEXIBLE CHARGER

With its waterproof housing and six-metre cable, the Flexible Fast Charger is easy to use for charging at home with suitable adapter plugs for different sockets types and the capability to handle a maximum power of up to 11 kW. Depending on the model, the Flexible Fast Charger is already included when you purchase your BMW.

FLEXIBLE CHARGER

​With its waterproof housing and six-metre cable, the Flexible Fast Charger is easy to use for charging at home with suitable adapter plugs for different sockets types and the capability to handle a maximum power of up to 11 kW. Depending on the model, the Flexible Fast Charger is already included when you purchase your BMW.

PUBLIC CHARGING



PUBLIC CHARGING: MODE 3

​The charging cable (mode 3) allows you to conveniently charge the vehicle battery at public charging stations. It can be used for 3-phase charging with up to 11 kW charging capacity. It is five metres long and basalt grey, a practical storage bag is included.


Planning your journey – simplified

Your all-electric BMW will take you far and wide. With competitive range, you can enjoy total peace of mind during longer journeys.

Check your vehicle’s charge state and pre-condition your cabin with ease.

BMW Navigation maps out charging stations for you – making your trips smarter, simpler, and stress-free.


HOW CHARGING WORKS? (Q&A SECTION)

Do I need special equipment to charge my BMW electrified vehicle?
Every all-electric BMW comes equipped with the Flexible Fast Charger. This portable device, compatible with any 120V or 240V outlet, delivers optimized charging wherever you go.
The optional BMW Wallbox is the ultimate in electric convenience. With its robust and weather-proof design, it can be installed in your garage or outdoors and delivers Level 2 charging at 9.6 kW charging speed.
When charging at public charging stations, no additional equipment is required. Your BMW’s navigation will show you public charging stations.

How can I have a BMW Wallbox or a 240V outlet installed at home, and what is the electrical requirement?
Your dealer can recommend a local installation service, so that your electrical service can be inspected, and if needed, an upgrade will be recommended.

What is the difference between kW and kWh?
A kilowatt (kW) and a kilowatt-hour (kWh) sound very similar, but there is an important difference. A kilowatt (kW) represents the rate of electricity usage – it is a measure of the total energy you use over a specific period of time, as opposed to a given moment. One kilowatt translates to 1,000 watts. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents the total amount of electricity used.
The measurement of energy used for electric vehicle chargers is in kilowatt (kW). The higher the kW, the more rapid the charging rate. Kilowatt (kW) can also be used to refer to the output of the electric motor.
The total battery capacity of an electric vehicle is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), or the total amount of energy stored in the battery. The larger the battery, the more range you can cover on a single charge. It is the amount of energy expended in one hour by a kilowatt of power, just like what you see on your energy bill.

Can I initiate charging remotely?
When charging at home, the My BMW App allows you to set your departure time and your car will charge accordingly. You can also pre-condition your vehicle to ensure your cabin climate is comfortable and battery temperature is optimized before departure.

How long does it take to charge an electric BMW at a public charging station?
Charging time at a public charging station is determined by battery size, maximum charging output and the remaining charge left in the battery when you plug in your vehicle. For electric vehicles, home charging and Level 2 public charging generally takes more time than with DC Fast Charging public stations.

Do electric and plug-in hybrid BMWs charge while driving?
Both electric and plug-in hybrid BMWs can also charge while driving, thanks to regenerative braking technology, which allows the vehicle to recoup part of its energy during deceleration and braking. You can maximize energy recouperation by switching to drive mode “B,” and adjust driving settings to “Eco Pro” or “Efficient.”

How do I ensure there are charging stations along my route?
Before departing on long trips, enter your destination into your vehicle’s navigation, and it will assist you in finding and planning charging along your route.

How often should I charge my electric BMW? Do I always need to charge it up to 100% or can I charge it halfway?
Similar to your cell phone, charging up your electric BMW before a day’s use is simple.
The amount of km you drive daily will determine how much charging you will need. There is no need to charge the battery up to 100% every night – unless you have to rely on the entire driving range of your vehicle. Staying between 20% to 80% battery capacity should leave you with enough driving km.
When not driving your electric BMW for a week or more at a time, leave the battery between 20% and 80% charged.
Keep in mind that how often and how long you should charge your electric BMW depends in part on what kind of home charging option you have and your daily driving needs. If you have convenient access to workplace charging, that may also impact whether you choose to charge your electric BMW fully every night.

What is pre-conditioning and why is it important?
All BMWs have a preconditioning function, which allows you to further optimize battery efficiency. From the My BMW App, you can precondition your vehicle, which warms up both the cabin and the battery. The vehicle should be plugged in while preconditioning.

What is the best time to charge my BMW electric vehicle?
The electricity price varies depending on the time of day. Many electricity providers offer discounted charging rates if you charge the battery at times of low demand. This utilizes excess electricity at night that can’t otherwise be stored temporarily. Check with your utility company to find out more about their peak vs. off-peak rates.

Why is the charging time listed as 0-80% state of charge and not to 100% state of charge?
Batteries charge more quickly from 0-80% battery charge, especially with DC charging. After 80% battery capacity has been reached, charging speeds slow down.

How do extreme temperatures affect the range of my electric BMW?
Climate affects your battery performance, but there are ways to counteract this. Batteries work more efficiently under optimized temperatures. Energy you use for cabin climate control comes from the battery. Therefore, preconditioning with the My BMW app not only makes the cabin temperature optimized for you, it will optimize the battery temperature as well.

How does my driving style affect the range of my all-electric BMW?
As is the case for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, driving style also affects the range of an electric car. As a general rule, an anticipatory, relaxed, and uniform style of driving optimizes your range. Just as faster, more aggressive driving will use more gas, it will also use up more of your battery’s energy.