BMW i4 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, the driver's side on a UK car |
| Cable we recommend | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
Same cable, whichever i4 is on the drive
The eDrive35 carries 67 kWh usable and the eDrive40, xDrive40 and M60 around 81.3, and all of them accept 11 kW on AC. So the badge changes the charge time and nothing else.
Those 11 kW and 22 kW ratings need three phases to appear. On a normal home supply the number is 7.4 kW. The lead to buy is the 32A single phase Type 2 cable, which takes the car to the 7.4 kW ceiling of a domestic supply.
How long a full charge takes
| Cable | Power drawn at home | Empty to full, 67 kWh battery | Empty to full, 81.3 kWh battery | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2, 32A single phase at home | 7.4 kW | 10 hours 15 mins | 12 hours 30 mins | about 26 miles |
| Type 2, 16A | 3.7 kW | 20 hours 30 mins | 24 hours 45 mins | about 13 miles |
| Type 2, three phase at 11 kW | 11.0 kW | 7 hours | 8 hours 15 mins | about 38 miles |
| Type 2 to 3 Pin from a socket | 2.3 kW | 33 hours | 40 hours | about 8 miles |
The calculation is the battery over the delivered kW, uplifted 13 per cent for charging losses, quarter hour rounded. Ranges are up to 311 miles WLTP on the eDrive35 and 377 on the eDrive40. Miles per hour is worked at a conservative 3.5 miles per kWh.
Which length to buy
The charging socket is on the rear offside side panel, which on a UK car is the driver's side, away from the kerb. That is BMW's pattern for its electric models, and it is the opposite side to where its plug-in hybrids charge.
Practically: reverse onto the drive with the charge point on the offside and 5 metres is enough. Nose in, and the lead runs the length of the car and across it, so 10 metres. Work it out from where the car genuinely sits, not where it could sit, and leave slack.
How these cables are built
IEC 62196-2 construction, CE marked, IP55 sealed and tested from -30C through to +50C.
The three pin version is an IEC 62752 unit, CE marked and IP67 sealed, specified -30C to +60C. Warranty is two years from the manufacturer, delivery free next working day, returns accepted for 30 days.
Related: BMW 330e EV Charging Cable, and BMW charging cables for every other model we cover.
BMW i4 charging cable questions
Which cable does a BMW i4 need?
A Type 2 to Type 2 cable, 32A single phase for home use. The car accepts 11 kW on three phase and 7.4 kW on the single phase supply a British house provides.
How long does an i4 take to charge at home?
From empty at 7.4 kW, about ten and a quarter hours for the 67 kWh eDrive35 and twelve and a half for the 81.3 kWh cars. A seven hour night rate window adds roughly 180 miles.
Which side is the i4 charge port on?
The rear offside, the driver's side on a UK car. Worth noting that BMW puts its plug-in hybrid sockets on the front nearside instead, so do not assume from another BMW in the household.
Is there any point in the three phase cable?
At a workplace with three phases, yes: 11 kW takes an 81.3 kWh i4 from twelve and a half hours to eight and a half. At home it changes nothing.
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.