How to Charge BMW Electric Car

Charging a BMW electric car is much like charging any other battery-operated device. You have the option to charge your BMW at home using a wall box or while on the move by utilizing a public charging box. BMW vehicles come with a BMW Charging Card for charging at the public charging network.

Public charging stations can be free, pay-as-you-go, or subscription-based. Some automakers may provide complimentary public charging at certain chargers. You can also install a wall box at home or charge at your domestic socket outlet.

According to Wikipedia, the BMW iX xDrive40 is able to DC fast charge up to 150 kW using a CCS connector, and the xDrive50 is up to 200 kW. Both can charge 10–80 percent in less than 40 minutes. For home charging, an 11 kW charger can fully charge the battery from empty in around 11 hours.

How to Charge Your BMW Electric Car Easily

To power up your BMW at a public charging point, follow these easy steps:

• Drive up to the charging station.
• Plug the charger into your car.
• Launch the Electrify America app.
• Choose the charging station.
• Swipe to initiate the charging process.

You can unlock the vehicle to release the charging cable to end charging.

Level of Charging

Tier 1: 120 Volt (Electric & Plug-in Hybrid)

Ideal for those with brief daily drives

Charge at any regular household 3-prong socket.

Using a 120V charger, you’ll gain about 4 miles for every hour of charging.

Tier 2: 240-Volt (Electric & Plug-in Hybrid)

Optimal for quicker home charging.

Public charging stations across the country feature Level 2 chargers.

Using a 240V charger, you can achieve up to 40 miles per hour of charging.

A licensed electrician can install it at home, and BMW’s trusted partner Qmerit offers installation services (you can find them here).

Tier 3: DC Fast Charging (Electric only)

Typically the speediest option for charging while on the move.

Presently, it is exclusively found at public charging stations.

Through DC fast charging, gain up to 108 miles in just 10 minutes.

Enjoy two years of free public charging with Electrify America included with your new BMW I vehicle.

Charge at Home

Mostly at home, work, or public charging stations. Meanwhile, the growth of public infrastructure is swift: In March 2020, the U.S. had about 78,500 charging outlets and nearly 25,000 electric car charging stations, a notable increase from 43,000 and 16,000, respectively, in 2017. In cities, the network of alternating current (AC) public charging stations is becoming denser. These stations are perfect for charging electric vehicles overnight or for short-term charging, such as when you’re out shopping.

Charging at Outside

Along highways, the network of high-power charging stations utilizing direct current (DC) is expanding. Tailored for charging capacities 5 to 15 times greater than an AC charging station, they guarantee a swift recharge for high-capacity Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) batteries, allowing you to cover hundreds of miles with just a break for rest or a longer coffee pause. In Europe, it’s common to use your charging cable at an AC charging station outlet, whereas the more potent DC systems always come equipped with an attached charging cable.

How to Start Charging

Upon reaching an available charging point, press the vehicle’s charging port cover to open it and connect the charging cable. If you own a BMW electric car in the US, it’s integrated with Electrify America charge points, requiring the app for starting sessions and payments. In the Electrify America app, a simple swipe initiates the charging session. To conclude, unlock the vehicle and disconnect the charging cable. For SIXT rentals, find details on charging partners, necessary apps, payment procedures, and additional information when picking up your vehicle. If you prefer visual guidance, here’s a brief overview of how to charge a BMW electric car in the US.

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