One of the main advantages of investing in a new BMW i3 is the charging capacity of its battery, which can enable 80-100 miles on a full charge.
The i3 is particularly well suited to city driving and commuting, and can also be bought with a range extender for longer drivers. There are a range of different charging options available for the BMW i3, from home to public. At Cooper BMW, we’ve recently taken a look at these options to decide on which is best for different drivers.
The BMW i3 Battery
The i3 comes with a battery pack that works with an electric motor, and can be connected to conventional AC and DC power supplies. The 22 kWh lithium ion battery is much more lightweight than previous generations of electric car batteries, and is fitted under the floor of the i3 for better weight distribution. The 230 kg battery is designed to be easily charged, and is compatible with a number of home and public charging connections, as well as with apps that can find your local charging station. Home charging If you want to charge your BMW i3 at home, you can use a standard 4 metre cable that comes with the car. While the i3 can be connected to a conventional power supply, you can also pick up a BMW i Wallbox Pure for fast charging.On a standard AC connection, you can get a 0 to 80 per cent charge in less than 3 hours. A DC rapid charge will get you a decent charge in less than 30 minutes, and can be ideal if you just need a short burst of energy for a drive. The Wallbox can be the most efficient way to charge your BMW i3 at home. It can be mounted onto the wall of a house or garage, and can provide a dedicated supply to your car; you can also set the timer on the Wallbox to a specific charging time or capacity, so that you don’t end up using more energy than you need. The Wallbox costs £315.00, and can be installed by BMW professionals, ensuring that it will link into your energy supply without causing electrical problems. More details on the Wallbox can be found below:
Public charging
While we’re some way off from having multiple public charging stations in cities, more and more investments are being made into improving electric accessibility. BMW are at the forefront of these technologies, and have recently added a BMW i Navigation feature as part of ConnectedDrive, which means you can find your nearest charging station. Other options are also available for ChargeNow cards, making it easy to top up your charge when you find a station. Learn more about the charging stations in your area at your local Cooper BMW Retail Centre. For the moment, home charging is the most effective way to keep on top of your i3’s battery life.Keep an eye out, though, for news about new charging stations in your area, and make sure that you’re aware of your current range by using iDrive and other connected features. It’s also worth considering upgrading to a range extender for the i3, which represents a small backup engine that can kick in if your battery charge drops to 3.5 per cent. This 650 cc two cylinder engine can be worthwhile if you’re planning a longer than average drive in your i3.
Discover more about the BMW i3 here.