BMW i3 (2018)

The complete guide to the BMW i3 (2018), from the car itself to running costs and charging.

Last updated: Apr 05, 2024 7 min read

Bmw I3 White Background2
Key stats
Range Guide Icon

Range (WLTP):

191 miles

Cost Guide Icon

Electric cost/mile:

6.55p

Bolt Guide Icon

Rapid charge:

Yes

Car Guide Icon

EV type:

Battery electric

Overview


Already a highly successful and iconic electric car, BMW has revamped their compact i3 to add additional range. It's the bold styling, zippy performance and go-kart handling that make this car so fun and popular with its owners. BMW ceased production of the i3 range extender version in late 2018 - which may be seen as a statement of electric intent from Munich - further enhancing the impressive green credentials of this model.

Charging Details


Charging time for a BMW i3

The table below shows the estimated time to charge your i3 from empty to full. For rapid charging, we show the time to charge from 20% - 80%, as charging tends to slow outside this range to protect the battery.

Charging method Typically found at Charging time* Range/hour**
Empty to full
3-pin plug Home 19 h 10 m/h
3.6kW Home / Work 12 h 16 m/h
7kW Home / Work / Public Locations 6 h 30 m/h
22kW Work / Public Locations 4 h 47 m/h
20%-80%
50kW Public Locations 40 min 105 m/30 min
150kW Public Locations 40 min 105 m/30 min


* Based on Pod Point estimates, charging time can differ based on the ambient temperature, the state of the battery (e.g. empty or half full) and variation in charging rate. Max charging rate may also be limited by the vehicle.
** Range per hour is the number of miles you can expect to get from an hour of charging at the relevant rate.

Connector type and charging rates

You can charge your BMW i3 with a Type 2 connector at home, work or at a public charging point. There is also a CCS connector for rapid charging.

Slow / Fast: Type 2


Type 2 connector icon


Max AC 1-phase rate: 7.4kW

Max AC 3-phase rate: 11kW
Rapid: CCS


CCS connector icon


Max DC rate: 49kW
Connector location: Right Side - Rear
Connector location: Right Side - Rear

Where you can charge a BMW i3

You can charge your BMW i3 conveniently at home, plug-in when you arrive at work or top up when you're out and about at locations including supermarkets and public car parks.

At Home

smart home charging nav. icon
7kW Solo Charger

Find out more about Smart Home Charging

At Work

workplace charging nav. icon
7kW Solo Charger*

Find out more about Workplace EV Charging
Built Environment Charging


Built Environment Icon
7kW Solo or Twin Charger

Find out more about Built Environment Charging
On Public Networks


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7kW Solo Charger & Rapid Charging**

Charging on the Pod Point Network


* Other charging options are also available, speak to our team for more information.
** Available for vehicles with either CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.

Cost to charge


Cost of charging a BMW i3

The cost of charging your car will vary between home, work and public chargepoints (below are our estimates). Charging on the Pod Point Network can be accessed through the Pod Point App.

Place Avg. cost Cost/mile
Home (empty to full)* £10.63 6.55p
Public rapid chargers (20%-80%)** £10.03 10.29p


* Assumes tariff of 28p/kWh. The cost of home charging will vary depending on your electricity rate.
** Assumes tariff of 44p/kWh applicable to most network rapid chargers as of April 2022.

I3 Lifestyle Image

Vehicle Specs


Range
Official range (WLTP*) 191 miles
Pod Point Confidence Range** 162 miles


* For information on "WLTP" and more, please visit our Electric Vehicle Dictionary.
** Pod Point Confidence Range is the maximum distance we’d be confident driving on electric power between charges. Real range will depend on various factors including driving conditions, personal driving style, outside temperature, heating / air conditioning, etc.

Performance
0-62 mph 7.3 seconds
Top speed 93 mph
Engine power 168 bhp / 125 kW
Torque 250 Nm
Battery
Battery size 42.2 kWh
Usable battery (Pod Point estimate) 38 kWh
Official battery efficiency (WLTP) 245 Wh/mile
Battery efficiency (Pod Point estimate) 234 Wh/mile
Environmental impact
Official MPG (WLTP) N/A
Official CO2 emissions (WLTP) 0 gCO2/km
CO2 emissions from UK grid electricity usage (Pod Point calculated)* 27 gCO2/km


* This metric estimates the environmental impact of driving your electric vehicle based on how the electricity that powers your car is generated. We take the average carbon intensity across the UK grid measured throughout 2021 to calculate the expected grams of CO2 emitted per 1 km driven. The actual number will vary by region, when you charge (e.g. carbon intensity is usually lower overnight period) and whether your electricity comes from more renewable sources than the average.

Purchase, Tax & Grants


The BMW i3 is only eligible for the EV chargepoint grant, but you will benefit from £0 road tax and £0 London Congestion Charge.

Purchase
OTR price* £39,690


* On-the-road price including Plug-in Grant, if applicable.

Tax
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Amount
Year 1 £0
Years 2-5 £0

Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax year BiK tax rate Annual BiK value
For cars registered after 6 April 2020
22/23 2% £793
23/24 2% £793
24/25 2% £793


* For further information including how to calculate personal BiK liabilities, please visit our Electric Car Tax guide.

Local taxes Amount
London Congestion Zone Charge* £0
Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge** £0


* A £10 annual registration fee will still apply to each vehicle.
** For further information on London's Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), please visit our ULEZ guide.

Insurance
Insurance group 28
Grants*
Grant name Eligibility Amount Benefit
OZEV EV chargepoint grant £350 Can be used to reduce the cost of a home charger with installation
OZEV Plug-in Grant £0 Used to reduce the cost of the vehicle
EST Domestic Charge Point Grant (currently unavailable) £300 Can be used in Scotland in addition to the EV chargepoint grant to reduce the cost of a home charger with installation


* Prices for vehicles are typically displayed with the Plug-in grant discount already applied. Home charging grants are dependent on status of the grant, and subject to eligibility requirements of the applicant as well as the vehicle.