Electric cars and plug-in hybrids herald a new kind of mobility that is both efficient and convenient. So now you can drive care free every day and on longer trips, thanks to flexible charging options and innovative charging technologies, on the go or conveniently at home, charging solutions are available to suit your lifestyle.
HOW TO CHARGE YOUR ELECTRIC CAR.
CHARGING ON THE GO.
Thanks to our extensive charging solutions, you'll also always find the right charging solution near you for your electric car or plug-in hybrid. Take advantage of one of Europe's largest charging networks, which is growing all the time. With up to 551,000 public charging points at which you can conveniently charge your electric car.
CHARGING AT HOME.
You can charge your electric car or plug-in hybrid conveniently at home at your chosen charging speed* using a home charger or with the BMW Flexible Charging Cable at a high-power or domestic socket outlet. Find out more about the practical solutions that BMW offers to charge your electric car at home.
*Wall holder as well as other changeable adapter cables for domestic and industrial socket outlets optionally available
BMW CHARGING TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS.
Charge-optimised routes.
Your charging equipment.
The BMW Charging Card which enables you to charge at charging points within the public charging network comes with your BMW. You can install a home charger at your home if you wish to or simply charge at your domestic socket outlet.
Charging Cable Professional for Public Charging (mode 3).
Charge your plug-in hybrid or electric car at public AC charging stations with the Charging Cable Professional for Public Charging (mode 3). Depending on your model, this may come as standard as part of your BMW's delivery specification.
THE CHARGING TIMES OF ELECTRIC CARS.
Charging your electric car at high-power charging stations is the fastest method. Thanks to their high charging power, these stations offer very short charging times. For instance, a BMW i5 needs to charge for just 10 minutes to gain 146 to 196 kilometres. With the BMW Wallbox or BMW Flexible Fast Charger, a BMW i5 can be fully charged conveniently at home in 8:30 hours.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC CAR?
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Charging times for
Public Charging
High-power charging station
You can charge your vehicle particularly quickly at a high-power charging station (e.g. such as those in the IONITY network). The direct current (DC) provided at these stations offers significantly higher charging capacities than with alternating current (AC), such as that supplied by a domestic socket. This is why high-power charging stations such as these are especially suitable for charging when travelling. In the display, you can see the minimum time needed to charge from 10 to 80% of the battery charge level with maximum vehicle charging capacity. Within this range, charging is fastest and also preserves the battery. A look at the map shows you all the high-power charging stations within the BMW Charging network.
Fast charging station
If you need to act quickly in the city or while travelling, a fast charging station is just the right choice. This is because the direct current (DC) provided at these stations offers higher charging capacities than with alternating current (AC), such as that supplied by a domestic socket. This is why fast charging stations such as these are especially suitable for charging when you are travelling. In the display, you can see the minimum time needed to charge from 10 to 80% of the battery charge level with up to 50 kW output. Within this range, charging is fastest and also preserves the battery. A look at the map shows you all fast charging station within the BMW Charging network.
AC charging station
They are especially suitable for regular charging over longer periods of time – such as overnight or while you are at work. In the display, you will find the minimum time for charging from 0-100% battery charge level with a maximum output of 22 kW. The charging performance depends on the equipment options for the vehicle. Take a look at the map and discover all the charging stations with alternating current in the BMW Charging network.
Home charging
Home Charger / Optional Flexible Charging Cable
At home you can charge your vehicle with a home charger or the optional Flexible Fast Charging Cable. Alternating current (AC) is used for both. Depending on the vehicle, special equipment and market, a home charger provides a maximum charging output of 22 kW, the Flexible Fast Charging Cable a maximum of 11 kW. In the display, you will see the minimum time for charging from 0-100% battery charge level with an output of 11 kW.
Filter charging stations
These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Actual times may be longer and depend on a number of factors, including starting charge level, ambient temperature, age and condition of the battery, use of auxiliary devices, charging point capacity.
Use the My BMW App to find charging stations as well as to plan, check and manage charging operations – both at home and when travelling. Experience the full range of functions from the My BMW App in demo mode.
LIFE, IN CHARGE: A BMW DRIVER’S VIEW.
Considering making the electric switch but still have some questions? We spoke with Friend of the BMW brand, Eric, who trialled the BMW i5 for a couple months and loved how convenient it was to drive. A full charge would get him around Donegal for a full week, including regular trips to training and to see the family. And for the times he needed to travel to Dublin for work, conveniently located charging stations would get him there and back with just one charging stop.
To hear more about Eric’s electric experience, watch the full video below.
THE BMW ROUTE PLANNER DOES THE WORK FOR YOU.
With charge-optimised routes, you’ll arrive at your destination quickly and with peace of mind. Get in your car and select choose your destination as usual – the navigation does the rest. You’ll see the fastest route straight away, including the best possible charging stops along the way.
EVERY JOURNEY TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
Your car charges, you spend the time as you wish.
It’s entirely up to you which charging stops suit you best.
Because you decide what you’d like to do while the car is charging. Sip a coffee perhaps, enjoy a lovely view, or do some shopping? We provide all this information and more for various charging stations.
Individually tailored to you.
Do you prefer the charging points of a particular provider, where you can pay conveniently with BMW Charging or charge as quickly as possible? No problem! Filter your search entirely as you wish.
Always right up to date.
If your needs change, you can adapt your route planning quickly and easily at any time. The navigation will then calculate a new route. When your electric car is charged and ready, you’ll receive a push notification on your smartphone. You can enjoy this convenient service when you install the My BMW app.
Availability at the scheduled charging stations is checked continuously.
CHARGE-OPTIMISED ROUTES IN THE MY BMW APP – EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE A BMW.
Try it for yourself and find out just how pleasant and easy navigation with charge-optimised routes can be. With the demo version of the app, you can get a good idea of the features of the My BMW app even if you don’t own a BMW. Simply download the app, log on, and try it out.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS.
THE COSTS OF ELECTRIC CARS.
What does it cost to charge an electric car? Find out if an electric car makes sense for you.
HOW MUCH ELECTRICITY AN ELECTRIC CAR NEEDS.
The power consumption of an electric car depends on various factors. The outside temperature and your own driving style – your average speed, for example – play a decisive role here. The costs involved depend on the consumption of the electric vehicle, the selected charging tariff, and the charging location. You also benefit from the BMW Charging extended charging network and attractive tariffs, such as the Active tariff with especially low fixed prices. For BMW customers with new vehicles, the first year is completely free with no standing charge.
OPTIMISING THE LIFE OF YOUR ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY.
The service life of a high-voltage battery can be affected by your own usage habits. Your high-voltage battery should mainly be charged at a low charging power at AC charging stations or at a Home Charger. For general use, it is recommended to run your car with a battery charge of between 10% and 80%. You can set a charging target of 80% for this. An efficient and anticipatory driving style also helps to increase the range of the battery and optimise its service life.
HOW TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE SERVICE LIFE OF YOUR ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY.
Find out how the battery and electric motor of an electric car work. How you can positively influence the life of the high-voltage battery. And how quietly and powerfully an electric car accelerates and cleverly recovers energy when you brake.