EV Car Facts: BMW i3

Range
246 km
Battery size
42 kWh
Energy Usage
146 Wh/km
Charge Rate
50 kW
0-100
6.9 secs
Drives
1
MSRP
$78,000
OVERALL RATING 4.2 of 5.0
  • Performance
    5 of 5.0
  • Comfort
    3.8 of 5.0
  • Interior
    3 of 5.0
  • Exterior
    5 of 5.0

The BMW i3 is a 5 door, 4 seat hatchback in the Australian ‘small’ car category. It offers an innovative design and quirky looks – which polarises people’s views!

It was first marketed in Europe in 2014 when it was awarded Wheels Australia ‘Car of the Year’ and now has potential for second-hand purchasing.

Initially released with a 22 kWh battery, a 33kWh version was added to the range in 2016. In 2019 the battery size was increased to 42.2kWh.

The 60Ah and 94Ah BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) versions could also be ordered as a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with a range extending 2 cylinder, 650cc petrol motor and 9 litre fuel tank. The REx version was dropped with the introduction of the 120Ah i3 in 2019.

As of late 2017, a performance i3s version was added to the line-up.

 

BMW i3 Variants

Variant Battery (kWh) WLTP Range (km) EPA Range (km) Power Output (kW) Torque (Nm) Plug Types (AC/DC) Max Charge Rate (AC/DC) Price
i3 60Ah 22 - 130 125 250 Type 1 / CCS1 7.4/50 $63,900
i3 60Ah REx 22 + Range Extender - 130 125 250 Type 1 / CCS1 7.4/50 $69,900
i3 94Ah 33 255 192 125 250 Type 2 / CCS2 11/50 $65,900
i3 94Ah REx 33 + Range Extender 255 (electric) 192 125 250 Type 2 / CCS2 11/50 $71,900
i3s 94Ah 33 245 192 135 250 Type 2 / CCS2 11/50 $69,900
i3 120Ah 42.2 310 246 125 250 Type 2 / CCS2 11/50 $68,700
i3s 120Ah 42.2 285 246 135 250 Type 2 / CCS2 11/50 $71,900

DRIVING RANGE

The i3 has quoted ranges (according to the Australian Green Vehicle Guide website https://greenvehicleguide.gov.au) of 190 km for the 60Ah BEV, 290 km for the 94Ah BEV and 335 for the current 120Ah (42.2kWh) battery version. However real-world driving range is in the vicinity of 130 km (60Ah), 182 km (94Ah) and 246km (120Ah).

CHARGING SPEEDS/REQUIREMENTS

Charging port

When first introduced, the i3 was fitted with a Type 1 AC charging port and DC charging was an optional extra. As of the beginning of 2018, the i3 was standard fitted with the Type 2 AC charging port and CCS2 DC charging, thus falling into line with most other new EVs sold in Australia. Depending on the version, it can charge on single phase 7kW AC, 3 phase 11kW AC and DC quick charge EVSEs.

AC charging

Charging speeds vary on the capacity of the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) it is connected to and the chosen battery size. Charging times are shown in table 1 below.

DC fast charging

Pre-2018 models of the i3 used the Type 1 connector. DC charging (using the CCS1 socket) was an optional extra before 2018.

The i3 now comes standard with the CCS2 socket. (The CCS2 socket is a combination Type 2 AC socket with CCS DC pins).

BMW i3 Time to Charge (hrs)

Battery size (kWh) 15A socket 16A 1 phase (3.6kW) 32A 1 phase (7.2kW) 16A 3 phase (11kW) DC Fast Charge (min)
22 7.75 5.75 3 - 25
33 9.5 8 4 2.75 39
42 16 9.5 5.5 3.2 42

HOME CHARGING CONSIDERATIONS

To get the shortest home charging times, you could install the following:

i3 60Ah: 32A (7.2 kW) single phase EVSE.

i3 94Ah and 120Ah: 16A (11 kW) three phase EVSE.

Lower capacity EVSEs will increase charging times, as shown in table 1 above.

Find more info about EVSEs on our FAQs page.

BMW i3 Specifications

Cargo space (litres) Cargo Space with rear seats folded (litres) Length (mm) Width (mm) Width with mirrors (mm) Height (mm) Tow Rating (braked / unbraked)
260 1100 3999 1775 2039 1578
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Author
Anne Delaney

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