BMW iX3 EV Charging Cable
| Inlet type | Type 2 for AC, CCS for rapid |
|---|---|
| Max onboard AC | 11 kW, three phase |
| On a UK home supply | 7.4 kW |
| Charge port position | Rear offside side panel, on both generations |
| Cable we recommend | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
Old iX3 or new, the cable is the same
The 2021 to 2024 car carries 74 kWh usable. The new one arrives as the iX3 40 at 82.6 kWh and the iX3 50 xDrive at 108.7 kWh with up to 500 miles of WLTP range. The socket has not moved and the AC rate has not changed: 11 kW three phase, which a single phase home turns into 7.4 kW.
So the 32A single phase Type 2 lead covers every iX3 BMW has sold here. The only visible difference on the new car is the powered charging flap, which is a convenience rather than a charging change.
How long a full charge takes
| Cable | Power drawn at home | Empty to full, 74 kWh battery | Empty to full, 82.6 kWh battery | Empty to full, 108.7 kWh battery | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2, 32A single phase at home | 7.4 kW | 11 hours 15 mins | 12 hours 30 mins | 16 hours 30 mins | about 26 miles |
| Type 2, 16A | 3.7 kW | 22 hours 30 mins | 25 hours 15 mins | 33 hours 15 mins | about 13 miles |
| Type 2, three phase at 11 kW | 11.0 kW | 7 hours 30 mins | 8 hours 30 mins | 11 hours 15 mins | about 38 miles |
Those times come from dividing the pack by the delivered power and adding 13 per cent for losses, then rounding to the quarter hour. The columns are the older car, the iX3 40 and the iX3 50, rated 286, 395 and 500 miles WLTP. On a battery over 100 kWh a 16A cable is not a serious option. The range column assumes 3.5 miles per kWh rather than a summer best case.
Which length to buy
The socket is on the rear offside side panel, away from the kerb, on both generations. It is BMW's standard position for an electric model and the opposite side to its plug-in hybrids.
The iX3 is a mid size SUV, so 5 metres only works reversed in with the charger on the offside. Nose in parking and kerbside charging both want 10 metres, and a long or shared drive wants 15. Measure from the charge point to the inlet as the car actually parks, then add two metres of slack.
How these cables are built
The cable meets IEC 62196-2, carries the CE mark, is sealed to IP55 and is specified from -30C to +50C.
Backed by a two year manufacturer's warranty, with free next working day delivery and a 30 day return window.
Related: BMW 330e EV Charging Cable, and BMW charging cables for every other model we cover.
BMW iX3 charging cable questions
Has the charge port moved on the new iX3?
No. Both generations charge from the rear offside side panel. The new car adds an electrically operated flap, but the position is unchanged, so a cable bought for the old car still suits.
How long does an iX3 take to charge at home?
From empty at 7.4 kW: about eleven and a half hours for the 74 kWh car, twelve and a half for the iX3 40 and around sixteen and a half for the 108.7 kWh iX3 50.
Is a 16A cable enough?
Not really, and less so on the newer batteries. At 3.7 kW the iX3 50 would need a day and a half from empty. Buy 32A unless your charge point is an old 3.6 kW unit.
Does the iX3 charge faster on a 22kW post?
No. The onboard AC charger is 11 kW, so that is the ceiling even at a 22 kW post. At home, on one phase, it is 7.4 kW.
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.