BMW i3 Charging Time
A 2021 BMW i3 takes about 7 hours to charge from empty to full on a 240-volt Level 2 charger, according to its EPA test. On a standard 120-volt outlet it takes about 32 hours. A full charge puts about 45.6 kWh through the plug for 153 miles of range.
BMW i3 charging time by charger
Figures for the 2021 i3. 20% to 80% is a typical daily top-up; 0% to 100% is a full charge from empty.
| Charger | Power | 20% to 80% | 0% to 100% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, 120 V outlet (12 A) | 1.4 kW | 19 hr | 31 hr 40 min |
| Level 2, 240 V, 16 A | 3.8 kW | 7 hr 8 min | 11 hr 53 min |
| Level 2, 240 V, 24 A | 5.8 kW | 4 hr 45 min | 7 hr 55 min |
| Level 2, 240 V, 32 A | 7.7 kW | 3 hr 34 min* | 5 hr 56 min* |
| Level 2, 240 V, 40 A | 9.6 kW | 2 hr 51 min* | 4 hr 45 min* |
| Level 2, 240 V, 48 A | 11.5 kW | 2 hr 23 min* | 3 hr 58 min* |
* Only if the car's onboard charger accepts that much power. On its EPA test it charged at about 6.5 kW; if that is its limit, a faster wall charger won't shorten the 7-hour full charge.
Work out your own BMW i3 charge
The calculator starts with this model's numbers. Change the charge level or the charger to match yours.
Preset: 2021 BMW i3, about 41 kWh into the battery for a full charge
EV charging time
4 hr 12 min
from 20% to 80%
- Energy into the battery (41 kWh x 60%)
- 24.6 kWh
- From the wall at 90% efficiency
- 27.3 kWh
- Charging power (capped by the car)
- 6.5 kW
- Charging time
- 4.21 hours
For home and public AC charging. DC fast chargers are much faster at first and then slow down past about 80%, so this formula does not fit them.
Cost to charge a BMW i3
A full charge from empty draws about 45.6 kWh from the wall. At 18 cents per kWh it costs about $8.21, and a 20% to 80% top-up about $4.92. The EPA rates the i3 at 29.8 kWh per 100 miles, which works out to 5.4 cents a mile. The US average home rate was 18.16 cents per kWh in August 2026 (EIA); the EV charging cost calculator takes your own rate.
BMW i3 fast charging
DC fast charging bypasses the car's onboard charger and is far quicker, but the speed depends on each model's charging curve, which slows as the battery fills. That's why fast-charge times are quoted from 10% to 80%. The EPA doesn't test DC charging, so check BMW's quoted figure for the i3. The EV charging curve guide explains why it slows.
BMW i3 charging time by trim and year
EPA range, electricity use (kWh per 100 miles, measured at the wall) and 240 V full-charge time for each BMW i3 trim since 2018.
| Year | Trim | Range | kWh/100 mi | 240 V full charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | i3 | 153 mi | 29.8 | 7 hr |
| 2021 | i3s | 153 mi | 29.8 | 7 hr |
| 2020 | i3 | 153 mi | 29.8 | 7 hr |
| 2020 | i3s | 153 mi | 29.8 | 7 hr |
| 2019 | i3 | 153 mi | 29.8 | 5 hr |
| 2019 | i3s | 153 mi | 29.8 | 5 hr |
| 2018 | i3 (94Ah) | 114 mi | 28.6 | 5 hr |
| 2018 | i3s (94Ah) | 107 mi | 30 | 5 hr |
Source: EPA test data published on fueleconomy.gov. Level 1 and per-charger times are worked out from each trim's range, electricity use and the charger's power. How we calculate.
BMW i3 charging FAQ
How long does a BMW i3 take to charge at home?
On a 240 V Level 2 charger, a 2021 BMW i3 charges from empty to full in about 7 hours, the time measured in its EPA test. From 20% to 80% on a 32 A home charger it takes about 4 hr 13 min.
How long does a BMW i3 take to charge on a 120 V outlet?
About 32 hours from empty to full on a standard 120 V outlet at 12 A, which delivers 1.44 kW. Overnight, about 10 hours, adds roughly 48 miles of range.
How much does it cost to charge a BMW i3?
A full charge draws about 45.6 kWh from the wall. At 18 cents per kWh that is about $8.21, or 5.4 cents a mile at its EPA rating of 29.8 kWh per 100 miles.