BMW 330e EV Charging Cable
| Inlet type | Type 2, AC only |
|---|---|
| Max onboard AC | 3.7 kW single phase to mid 2024, then 11 kW three phase |
| On a UK home supply | 3.7 kW on earlier cars, 7.4 kW on the 2024 onwards car |
| Charge port position | Front nearside wing, the kerb side |
| Cable we recommend | 16A on a pre 2024 car, 32A on a 2024 onwards car |
The 2024 update changed the answer
This is the rare plug-in hybrid where the model year decides which cable to buy. Cars from 2019 to mid 2024 have a 3.7 kW single phase charger and a 12 kWh battery, which a 16A cable covers completely. From July 2024 BMW fitted an 11 kW three phase charger and a 19.5 kWh usable battery, and that car can use a 32A lead properly.
On a single phase British house the newer car settles at 7.4 kW rather than 11, which still fills it in well under three hours. Check the registration date before ordering, because a 32A cable on the older car simply charges at 3.7 kW.
How long a full charge takes
| Cable | Power drawn at home | Empty to full, 12 kWh battery | Empty to full, 19.5 kWh battery | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 on car, 32A at home | 7.4 kW | 1 hours 45 mins | 3 hours | about 26 miles |
| Pre 2024 car, 16A at 3.7 kW | 3.7 kW | 3 hours 45 mins | 6 hours | about 13 miles |
| Three pin from a 13A socket | 2.3 kW | 6 hours | 9 hours 30 mins | about 8 miles |
Figures are calculated rather than quoted: battery divided by power, 13 per cent for losses, quarter hour rounding. The columns are the 12 kWh pre 2024 battery and the 19.5 kWh usable pack in the newer car, which is rated 63 miles WLTP against 37 for the older one. Range added per hour assumes a year round 3.5 miles per kWh rather than a best case figure.
Which length to buy
Both generations charge from the front nearside wing, the kerb side. Saloon or Touring, rear drive or xDrive, it is the same flap in the same place.
Nose in with a wall box on the house wall and 5 metres is comfortable. Reverse in and the cable has to travel the length of the car, which is a 10 metre job. The honest way to choose is to measure the real parking position and allow two metres spare.
How these cables are built
Construction is to IEC 62196-2 with CE marking, IP55 weather protection and a -30C to +50C operating range.
Three pin construction follows IEC 62752, CE marked, IP67 rated, usable from -30C to +60C. Backed by a two year manufacturer's warranty, with free next working day delivery and a 30 day return window.
Looking at another BMW? Start with the BMW i4 EV Charging Cable, or browse every model in BMW charging cables. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.
BMW 330e charging cable questions
Should I buy 16A or 32A for a BMW 330e?
It depends on the year. A 2019 to mid 2024 car accepts 3.7 kW, so 16A is all it can use. The July 2024 onwards car has an 11 kW charger and will take 7.4 kW from a 32A cable on a UK home supply.
How long does a 330e take to charge?
Around three and three quarter hours for the older 12 kWh car on its 3.7 kW limit. The 2024 car, with a bigger 19.5 kWh battery but a much faster charger, is done in about three hours on a home wall box.
Where is the charging socket on a 330e?
The front nearside wing, the kerb side on a UK car. BMW uses that position across its plug-in hybrids, and the rear offside on its electric models.
Can the 330e rapid charge?
No. It is AC only, with no CCS socket, which is normal for a plug-in hybrid of this size. The Type 2 cable is the only lead it needs.
Cable specifications
| Connector type | Type 2 to Type 2 Charging Cable |
|---|---|
| Standard | IEC 62196-2 |
| Rated power | 16amp (3.6kW) |
| Supply | Single phase |
| Cable length | 10M |
| Weatherproofing | IP55 |
| Temperature range | −30°C to +50°C |
| Approval | CE marked |
| Warranty | 2 year manufacturer's warranty |
Specifications follow the option you have selected above. Charging always runs at the lowest limit of your car, the charge point and the cable.