The BMW i3 can travel 160 miles on a single charge. You do not need to stop at a power source in the middle of your trip, as your charging is enough to get you through. If you travel far, you can charge daily, or every two or three days is enough if you travel less.
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular, and people are looking to electrify their cars to have a sustainable environment. New models are being produced every year, and we see that they are getting better all the time. If you search for electric vehicles on Google, you will see that the BMW i3 continues to be among the most popular and highly preferred models. People are still interested in it despite it having been launched in 2014. The model’s superior charging performance and nicely designed interior are significant factors.
Charging can influence buying decisions. When it comes to charging and batteries, the BMW i3 is an excellent option as the vehicle can run 100 miles on a single charge. If you travel far, you can charge daily, or every two or three days is enough if you travel less. Interested buyers and electric vehicle lovers should read the following article for more information about the BMW i3 battery life and charging performance.
Where can I charge my BMW i3?
This new version of the i3 adds additional range to the already-wildly popular electric car. With the increased capacity, finding a suitable charging location has also become easier. There are public charging points available at certain locations, so you can choose to charge at home, on private property, or at a public charging point.
| Charging location | Charger types and capacities |
| Home | 3.6kW or 7kW Solo Charger, which may cost around €449. |
| Work | 3.6kW or 7kW Solo Charger |
| Shared Parking Spaces | 3.6kW or 7kW Solo Charger or Twin Charger |
| Public Networks | 3.6kW or 7kW Solo Charger and Rapid Charging. |
(Source: pod-point.com)
EV drivers must connect the input for either AC or DC charging. Once connected, the car will ensure that there is power and that there are no defects. If you’re using a home or office charger, the car will start charging immediately.
To begin charging on a public charger, there is an activation step that must be completed. In certain cases, this may need the usage of an RFID card or smartphone app that must be connected to a pre-existing account. Increasingly, newer devices are now equipped with contactless payment systems. To begin charging the car, the units will undertake further connection and account verifications.
Charging time
The BMW i3 is equipped with a CCS charging system, which consists of a single charging port that accepts both AC and DC power. The charging port is located on the rear 3/4 panel, which is normally used for a fuel flap. The top section of the intake is used to connect to AC outlets for home charging and fast DC charging at public outlets. The top and lower parts of the intake are used to flow high current during fast AC charging.
The BMW i3 can be charged slowly, quickly, or quickly, depending on the network and type of charging unit. Slow charging involves a 3-pin-to-Type 2 connection, whereas rapid charging requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable. The cable is often included with the car. The CCS connection can also be employed for quick charging.
Here, you can see how long it will take your i3 to recharge using fast and slow charging methods. If you choose fast charging, you should be aware that the charging rate may slow down once it reaches 80% to protect your battery.
From empty to full
| Charging Method | Charging Location | Charging Time | Range |
| 3-pin plug | Home | 19 hours | 10 m/h |
| 3.6kw | Home/Work | 12 hours | 16 m/h |
| 7kw | Home/Work/Public Charging Points | 6 hours | 30 m/h |
| 22kw | Work/Public Charging Points | 4 hours | 47 m/h |
(Source: pod-point.com)
From 20% to 80%
| 50kw | Public Charging Points | 40 minutes | 105 m/30 min |
| 150kw | Public Charging Points | 40 minutes | 105 m/30min |
(Source: pod-point.com)
Charging Cost
Even though electric cars are expensive, you are saved from high gas and fuel costs. In electric vehicles, you only charge to run, and you don’t have to spend a lot on charging. Also, charging costs can vary based on the location of the charging port.
| Charging Location | Average Cost | Cost per mile |
| Home (empty to full) | £6.46 | 3.98p |
| Public Charging Points (20% – 80%) | £5.70 | 5.85p |
How long do BMW i3 batteries last?
I would say that it lasts longer and performs better than recent EVs. The i3 battery is covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile guarantee, which is standard for electric vehicles of this size. So, you need not be concerned about the battery capacity and durability. Apart from that, there have been no reports of i3s losing their entire battery power. Even early 2013 models are still available and fetch a premium value on the secondhand market.
The new i3 features a larger battery pack, which means it can store more energy. The high-performance lithium-ion cells are paired with a cooling mechanism that maintains the battery at its optimal operating temperature at all times, enhancing power and service life. The high-voltage batteries used in the new BMW i3 and i3s have risen in capacity while remaining the same size.
In 2014, the i3 was first introduced with a battery pack that had a capacity of 60 Ah and 22.6kWh, whereas the second-generation battery, introduced in 2017, was 94 Ah and 33kWh. The BMW i3 will go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds when equipped with a 170 horsepower electric motor, while the BMW i3s will do the same in 6.8 seconds with an 181 horsepower electric motor.
With a battery capacity of 42.2kWh, BMW’s latest i3 adheres to the brand’s concept of resource conservation, which includes not only locally generated emissions-free electricity but also the choice of materials, manufacturing techniques, and mobility services. BMW i3 120Ah and BMW i3s 120Ah emit significantly less carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan in terms of raw materials extraction, production, use, and recycling.
Can you leave the BMW i3 plugged in?
When you are on vacation or on a business trip, you may have to keep the car idle, so you might be worried about the i3’s charge. No one wants to return to a car that is completely without power. So, you may think about charging it while you are gone. While no serious problems will arise from that, you can learn about the battery type and charging to decide whether plugging in or unplugging suits your i3 and daily life better.
It is BMW’s policy to set the useful capacity of its batteries lower than their actual capacity to avoid battery durability issues that may arise due to overcharging and discharging. Additionally, the charging circuits are turned off automatically when the usable capacity has been reached.
You can leave your i3 plugged into your home power source or to the power source in your workspace or even to a public/private charging point if you plan to be away for several days. It is your decision and no damage will be caused. There is also the option to leave the car unplugged if you think there is enough charge. I3 owners have reported that the battery percentage did not decline a lot when left unplugged, and the car is operating just fine. It is fine to do this as long as the battery has enough power to last until you return.
The battery of your i3s is already software-restricted, so you cannot fully charge it. BMW is imposing the safety restriction so that you can leave the vehicle fully charged and go about your business at 100 percent without a hitch. When the battery is weak, you run the risk of draining it completely. Therefore, you are free to keep the vehicle plugged in for prolonged periods without any difficulties. You may also leave it unplugged, but make sure the battery has enough juice to start the car.
In cold weather, for example, BMW recommends charging the battery if the battery level is low. Cold weather slows down the chemical reaction, and batteries, especially lithium-ion, don’t like being cold when drained.
Can you overcharge a BMW i3?
About electric vehicles, owners are always concerned with battery life and charging practices. While not every component of the EV revolves entirely around the battery, it does play a significant role. Given the high cost of EVs, there is no greater cause for concern than their longevity.
One of the most common misunderstandings among EV owners is whether it is OK to overcharge or not. To help address this topic more fully, let us use a minor example, such as smartphones. There is no need to be afraid about being overcharged on today’s smartphones. The battery life has been improved in current versions since they all use high-quality LiOn batteries. However, there is still a widespread misconception that overcharging may cause battery damage. To all of those falsehoods, the simple response is “No.” The same is true for electric vehicles.
In EVs, there is a battery management system that effectively prevents overcharging of the primary battery pack.
Normally, the pace of your automobile’s charging slows down when it approaches near-full levels. When the battery is fully charged, trickle charging is turned on automatically. This is the process of recharging a battery after it has been discharged.
In certain systems, the automobile continues to operate even after the engine is off, resulting in self-discharge of the battery. Though the charge applied is little, your battery management system will regularly recharge to guarantee that you leave for work the next day with a full charge.
The battery management technology will also prevent overcharging even if it is not used for days or weeks at a time. With today’s EV technology, it’s safe to leave it plugged in for extended periods of time. This is not expected to be an issue for days, weeks, or months. The battery’s life may be somewhat shortened if this occurs frequently.
The lifetime of a car battery is limited. A battery’s capacity decreases with time as it is charged and discharged more often. So the amount of charge it can retain is likewise reduced, which will have an impact on the vehicle’s driving range. The vast majority of electric vehicle batteries are lithium-ion. To get the most performance out of these batteries, keep them between 50% and 80% charged. Also, don’t let your battery go to zero. It’s best to keep your battery level over 30% at all times. Deep discharge shortens the life of your battery and damages its performance.
How do I know if my BMW i3 has a healthy battery?
It’s not enough to merely have a better battery. After a year or two of use, you may wish to examine the battery’s health and condition. Despite the lack of reliable battery information in I3, there are a few methods that may assist you better understand your battery’s performance. The BMW i3 has a small computer that shows all the information you need while driving. There are several settings in this system that are difficult to reach and not all i3 owners are aware of.
- To start with, get the system in an accessible state and select the menu page.
- Long press the trip reset button and then a menu will appear.
- There, you may pick “Unlocking” and you will be prompted for a code.
- There, you should input the sum of your VIN’s last five digits. (For example, if your VIN is xxxxxx12345, add 1+2+3+4+5 and input the result.)
- Enter the number using the buttons and long press it.
You will now see a display of various essential facts about your vehicle, such as Batt. Kapa. Max. (maximum battery capacity), State of charge (battery percentage), Batt. Ladung (battery charge in kWh), Batterietemp (battery temperature), and so on. The most recent software update added the State of Charge (SOC) display to the instrument panel.
This will enable you to analyze your battery’s health and take measures to make it better.
How much does a BMW i3 battery cost?
The BMW i3 has been on the market for less than eight years, and the manufacturer guarantees an eight-year warranty to its customers. You may want to change the battery within that time frame. BMW has not yet disclosed the cost of a battery replacement. However, Dr. Christian Cozzarini, BMW’s Head of Environmental Engineering, previously said in a lecture that a battery replacement may cost approximately $16000. While there is no set price to go by, you can expect it to be in that range.
Conclusion
Even now, the BMW i3 is one of the most popular and sought-after electric automobiles on the market. There’s nothing more enticing to drivers than the car’s eye-catching design and nimble performance.
Next Green Car verdict: “Futuristic looks set the i3 apart from the competition, as does the driving experience which is first class.”
From this verdict and the overview of the car’s performance, you may be certain that when you buy a BMW i3, you are getting one of the company’s top premium electric automobiles.