Charging times for the BMW i3 94Ah by charger type. 10 to 80% is the standard comparison because rapid charging slows sharply above 80%.
BMW i3 94Ah charging slower than it should?
Charging faults are usually the car, the cable or the charger. Get a local EV specialist to check it.
About these figures
- WLTP figure is for the 2017 facelift and varies 146 to 158 miles by wheel and trim; the conservative end is used. Pre-facelift 2016 cars were NEDC-rated only at 195 miles.
Charging the BMW i3 94Ah at home
A 7kW home wallbox is the workhorse. From 10% to 80% takes about 3h 1m, and a full charge from empty about 4h 19m, 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 13h 8m, so treat it as a backup rather than a routine. A spare granny cable for the boot, or a Type 2 cable for untethered public posts, is in our EV charging cables and chargers collection, built to order in the UK by Wottz.
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 2h 52m for 10 to 80%.
A 7.4kW Type 2 cable is all the BMW i3 94Ah can use on AC, so a 22kW cable will not charge it any faster. More on which EV charging cable you need.
Rapid charging on trips
On a 50kW rapid charger, 10 to 80% takes about 32 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.
Related on The EV Pros
BMW i3 94Ah servicing near you
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Buying a used BMW i3 94Ah?
Run its reg through our free car check first: every MOT, the mileage at each one, and what to expect from the battery at its age. The full history check adds outstanding finance, write-off and stolen records.