BMW i3 and i3 REx EV Charging Cable

One cable for every i3, including the REx

The range extender changes nothing about charging. Whether your i3 has the little petrol generator under the boot floor or not, it charges through the same Type 2 inlet at the same rate.

What did change is the charger. The original 60 Ah car is a 7.4 kW single phase machine. The 94 Ah and 120 Ah cars have 11 kW three phase chargers, which on a British single phase supply land back at 7.4 kW. So one 32A single phase cable is right for all of them, and it is worth ignoring any source that tells you every i3 is an 11 kW car.

How long a full charge takes

Each figure is the pack size divided by the power actually drawn, with 13 per cent added for charging losses and the result rounded to the quarter hour. The columns are the 60 Ah, 94 Ah and 120 Ah cars at 18.8, 27.2 and 37.9 kWh usable. The 120 Ah car is rated 192 miles WLTP. Range added per hour assumes a year round 3.5 miles per kWh rather than a best case figure.

Which length to buy

BMW put the socket on the rear offside quarter panel, exactly where you would reach for a fuel filler, which is the side away from the kerb. The i3 is a short car at just under four metres, so lengths go further than they would on a saloon.

Reverse in with the charge point on the offside and 5 metres does it. Nose in, or park at the kerb with the box on the house wall, and 10 metres is the safer order. Take a tape measure to the run, inlet to charge point, and add a couple of metres before choosing.

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.

The three pin cable is built to IEC 62752, CE marked, sealed to IP67 and rated from -30C to +60C. Two year manufacturer's warranty. Delivery is free and next working day, and returns are open for 30 days.

Also from BMW: BMW 330e EV Charging Cable. The full range of BMW charging cables is on one page. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

BMW i3 charging cable questions

Does the i3 REx need a different cable from the standard i3?

No. The range extender is a petrol generator, not a second charging system. Both cars use a Type 2 to Type 2 cable and charge at the same rate.

Is my i3 a 7.4kW or an 11kW car?

The 60 Ah car, built up to 2016, is 7.4 kW single phase. The 94 Ah and 120 Ah cars have 11 kW three phase chargers. On a UK home supply all three draw 7.4 kW, so the distinction only matters at a three phase post.

Where is the i3 charging socket?

On the rear offside quarter panel, the driver's side on a UK car, where a petrol filler cap would normally sit.

How long does a 120 Ah i3 take to charge?

About five and three quarter hours from empty at 7.4 kW for the 37.9 kWh battery. The older 60 Ah car is under three hours.