Charging times for the BMW i3 60Ah by charger type. 10 to 80% is the standard comparison because rapid charging slows sharply above 80%.
About these figures
- The official range for this car is an NEDC figure, not WLTP: it predates the WLTP test. NEDC flattered EVs considerably, so we derive the realistic range at 70% of it rather than the 85% we use for WLTP cars.
- DC rapid charging was a factory option on this car, so a fair share of used 60Ah i3s cannot rapid charge at all.
Charging the BMW i3 60Ah at home
A 7kW home wallbox is the workhorse. From 10% to 80% takes about 2h 5m, and a full charge from empty about 2h 59m, which fits comfortably overnight. On a cheap overnight tariff window, that is also the cheapest way to run the car by a distance.
A standard 3-pin socket manages around 2.3kW. A full charge that way takes roughly 9h 5m, so treat it as a backup rather than a routine.
The car's on-board AC charger takes up to 7.4kW, so on a 22kW public AC post it still charges at 7.4kW: about 1h 59m for 10 to 80%.
Rapid charging on trips
On a 50kW rapid charger, 10 to 80% takes about 22 minutes. The car's DC limit is 50kW, so faster chargers will not shorten the stop.
These are real-world estimates, not brochure figures: cars only hold their peak rate for part of the session, and the rate tapers steeply above 80% to protect the battery. That is why topping up to 80% and driving on beats waiting for 100% on every trip.
Cold batteries charge slower. In winter, expect the first rapid stop of the day to run behind these times until the pack warms up.
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