BMW i5 EV Charging Cable
| Inlet type | Type 2 for AC, CCS for rapid |
|---|---|
| Max onboard AC | 11 kW three phase standard, 22 kW optional |
| On a UK home supply | 7.4 kW whichever charger is fitted |
| Charge port position | Rear offside side panel |
| Cable we recommend | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
The 22kW option and what it actually buys
BMW fits an 11 kW three phase charger to every i5 and offers a 22 kW unit as an option. Both are three phase ratings, and a British house has one phase, so at home either car draws 7.4 kW and finishes an 81.2 kWh battery in about twelve and a half hours.
Where the 22 kW charger pays is a three phase destination or workplace post, which it clears in under four hours. If you have that at work, the three phase cable is worth owning alongside the 32A single phase lead. If you do not, it buys nothing.
How long a full charge takes
| Cable | Power drawn at home | Empty to full, 81.2 kWh battery | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home, 32A single phase | 7.4 kW | 12 hours 30 mins | about 26 miles |
| Three phase post, standard 11 kW charger | 11.0 kW | 8 hours 15 mins | about 38 miles |
| Three phase post, optional 22 kW charger | 22.0 kW | 4 hours 15 mins | about 77 miles |
Hours come from dividing the pack by the power the car actually draws, with 13 per cent added for losses. Both the eDrive40 and the M60 xDrive carry 81.2 kWh usable, rated 384 and 331 miles WLTP respectively. The range column is deliberately cautious, at 3.5 miles per kWh.
Which length to buy
The socket is on the rear offside side panel, the driver's side on a UK car and away from the kerb. The i5 is a five metre saloon, so 5 metres of cable only works when you reverse in with the charge point on that side.
Ten metres covers nose in parking and kerbside charging. Fifteen is for a long drive or a shared bay. Measure from the charge point to the inlet as the car actually parks, then add two metres of slack.
How these cables are built
It is a CE marked IEC 62196-2 cable, IP55 against the weather, rated to work between -30C and +50C.
Warranty is two years from the manufacturer, delivery free next working day, returns accepted for 30 days.
Looking at another BMW? Start with the BMW 330e 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 i5 charging cable questions
Does the BMW i5 come with a 22kW charger?
Eleven kilowatts three phase is standard and 22 kW is an option. Which UK pack carries the upgrade is not something BMW UK states clearly, so check your own specification if it matters to you.
Will the 22kW charger help at home?
No. Both ratings are three phase figures and a UK home has a single phase supply, so the car draws 7.4 kW either way. The option only shows up at a three phase post.
How long does an i5 take to charge at home?
About twelve and a half hours from empty at 7.4 kW for the 81.2 kWh battery. An overnight window on a cheap tariff adds roughly 180 miles.
Which side is the i5 charge port on?
The rear offside side panel, the driver's side on a UK car. BMW uses the rear offside on its electric models and the front nearside on its plug-in hybrids.
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.