Every all-electric BMW comes equipped with the Flexible Fast Charger. This portable device, compatible with any 120V or 240V outlet, delivers optimized charging wherever you go. You can charge from 0–100% in under 12 hours at a 240V outlet.  

The optional BMW Wallbox is the ultimate in electric convenience. With its robust and weather-proof design, it can be installed in your garage or outdoors and delivers Level 2 charging at 9.6 kW charging speeds (~30 miles per hour of charging, reaching its full charge in approximately 12 hours).  

When charging at public charging stations, no additional equipment is required. The standardized charging system in North America is called CCS (for DC Fast Charging) and J1772 (for L2 charging).

All public charging stations that have a CCS or J1772 plug are available to you. Your BMW’s navigation, as well as the MyBMW App, will show you public charging stations equipped with CCS/J1772 plugs.

Your dealer can recommend a local installation service, so that your electrical service can be inspected, and if needed, an upgrade will be recommended. You can also use the services of BMW’s trusted installation partner Qmerit.

A kilowatt (kW) and a kilowatt-hour (kWh) sound very similar, but there is an important difference. A kilowatt (kW) represents the rate of electricity usage – it is a measure of the total energy you use over a specific period of time, as opposed to a given moment. One kilowatt translates to 1,000 watts. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents the total amount of electricity used.

The measurement of energy used for electric vehicle chargers is in kilowatt (kW). The higher the kW, the more rapid the charging rate. Kilowatt (kW) can also be used to refer to the output of the electric motor.

The total battery capacity of an electric vehicle is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), or the total amount of energy stored in the battery. The larger the battery, the more range you can cover on a single charge. It is the amount of energy expended in one hour by a kilowatt of power, just like what you see on your energy bill.

When charging at home, the My BMW App allows you to set your departure time and your car will charge accordingly. You can also pre-condition your vehicle to ensure your cabin climate is comfortable and battery temperature is optimized before departure.

Charging time at a public charging station is determined by battery size, maximum charging output and the remaining charge left in the battery when you plug in your vehicle. For electric vehicles, home charging and Level 2 public charging generally takes more time than with DC Fast Charging public stations.

For example, a BMW i4 can charge up to about 30 miles in 1 hour with a Level 2 (AC) public charger. In just ten minutes, a DC Fast Charger can give you a range of 75-100 miles depending on the model variant.

Both electric and plug-in hybrid BMWs can also charge while driving, thanks to regenerative braking technology, which allows the vehicle to recoup part of its energy during deceleration and braking. You can maximize energy recouperation by switching to drive mode “B,” and adjust driving settings to “Eco Pro” or “Efficient.”

Before departing on long trips, enter your destination into your vehicle’s navigation or your My BMW App, and it will assist you in finding and planning charging along your route.

When the destination is entered, the battery will adjust its exertion to the highest level of efficiency between charging sessions.

Cloud-based navigation makes planning your next journey seamless and efficient, especially on longer trips. Enter a destination into your vehicle’s navigation, via the iDrive screen – or send your next destination to your vehicle remotely, using the My BMW App. Each route is intelligently calculated, based on your vehicle’s available electric range, traffic conditions, topography, weather conditions, and more.


If you enter a destination that falls outside of your available electric range, charging recommendations will automatically be displayed along your route, with charging times included in the travel time. At every charging station, you’ll get an optimum amount of charge to reach your destination as quickly as possible. The navigation system updates with every stop and potential delay, making sure you’re always within range of a charge. You can always charge your vehicle longer for additional range.

Similar to your cell phone, charging up your electric BMW before a day’s use is simple. The amount of miles you drive daily will determine how much charging you will need.

Staying between 10% to 80% battery capacity should leave you with enough driving miles – and you can use iDrive or your My BMW App to set a target state of charge.

You can charge the battery up to 100% when you have to rely on the entire driving range of your vehicle (for a longer trip). However, for battery health it is not recommended to charge up to 100% every day or leave the vehicle parked for a longer time with a fully charged battery. When not driving your electric BMW for a longer period of time, leave the battery between 30% to 50% charged.

Use AC chargers as often as you can. While it takes longer, it is less stressful on the high-voltage battery and also a more cost-efficient way to get your range topped up. Use DC and high-power DC chargers as often as you need, in order to extend the mileage of your electric BMW in a short period of time.

Keep in mind that how often and how long you should charge your electric BMW depends in part on what kind of home charging option you have and your daily driving needs. If you have convenient access to workplace charging, that may also impact how often you choose to charge your electric BMW overnight.

There are two kinds of pre-conditioning a BMW EV:

1. Cabin pre-conditioning: you can pre-condition the cabin using the  pre-conditioning function in the My BMW App to climatize the vehicle cabin before you leave. It is preferrable that the BMW EV is plugged in while pre-conditioning so that the required energy is pulled directly from the outlet and not from the vehicle battery.
2. Battery pre-conditioning for DC Fast Charging: You can pre-condition the vehicle battery to prepare it for a DC Fast Charging session. If the battery has the optimal charging temperature, it will charge faster getting you back on the road quicker. Every time your BMW’s navigation guides you to a DC Fast Charging station, your BMW will do the battery pre-conditioning automatically when approaching the charging station. Alternatively, you can initiate pre-conditioning of the battery in the Charging menu of the car’s iDrive.

The electricity price varies depending on the time of day. Many electricity providers offer discounted charging rates if you charge the battery at times of low demand. This utilizes excess electricity at night that can’t otherwise be stored temporarily. Check with your utility company to find out more about their peak vs. off-peak rates. Rates differ depending on the utility company you choose.

Batteries charge more quickly from 0-80% battery charge, especially with DC charging. After 80% battery capacity has been reached, charging speeds slow down.

How far you can go on a single charge will vary based on the vehicle’s battery capacity, driving conditions, your driving style, and charging habits.

Estimated electric ranges:   

BMW i4 eDrive40: range from 295 to 318 miles

BMW i4 xDrive40: range from 268 to 287 miles

BMW i4 M50: range from 227 to 267 miles

BMW i5 eDrive 40: range from 278 to 310 miles

BMW i5 xDrive40: range from 259 to 278 miles

BMW i5 M60: range from 239 to 253 miles

BMW i7 eDrive50: range from 307 to 314 miles

BMW i7 xDrive60: range from 308 to 311 miles

BMW i7 M70: range from 268 to 296 miles

BMW iX xDrive45: range from 290 to 312 miles

BMW iX xDrive60: range from 318 to 364 miles

BMW iX M70: range from 283 to 303 miles

Climate affects your battery performance, but there are ways to counteract this. Batteries work more efficiently under optimized temperatures. Energy you use for cabin climate control comes from the battery. Therefore, preconditioning with the My BMW app not only makes the cabin temperature optimized for you, it will optimize the battery temperature as well.

As is the case for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, driving style also affects the range of an electric car. As a general rule, an anticipatory, relaxed, and uniform style of driving optimizes your range. Just as faster, more aggressive driving will use more gas, it will also use up more of your battery’s energy.

The BMW ChargingNetwork is one of the largest charging networks in North America with over 130,000 charging points, including both Level 2 AC Chargers and Level 3 DC Fast Chargers. BMW drivers can conveniently access the network via the My BMW App for seamless charging and payment processing. Drivers can also enjoy the Plug & Charge feature at supporting stations, allowing you to simply plug in and go—no apps or charger interaction needed. Currently, our partner network includes Electrify America, Shell Recharge, IONNA, EVgo, ChargePoint, Electrify Canada, BC Hydro, Blink, Electric Circuit, EV Connect, Flo, Florida Power & Light, Francis Energy, and Red E. More providers are being continually added to provide the best coverage for your BMW EV.

BMW electric vehicles are compatible with most public charging stations, with access to the Tesla charging network coming in 2025. The most convenient way to charge in public is the BMW ChargingNetwork— a North America partner network with more than 130,000 charging points that are seamlessly integrated into BMW navigation and the My BMW App. Charging and payment processing for these BMW ChargingNetwork providers are conveniently managed via the My BMW App.

IONNA is a new fast-charging network backed by BMW and seven other leading global automakers: General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis, and Toyota. This joint venture is developing a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers by 2030. IONNA is part of the expansive BMW ChargingNetwork, which boasts over 130,000 charging points in North America, all conveniently accessible through the My BMW App. BMW drivers can enjoy the Plug & Charge function at IONNA stations, allowing charging sessions to be automatically authenticated without interacting with the app or the charger. Simply plug in and walk away.

The IONNA network will have a large footprint across North America, with the first charging stations opening in December 2024 in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas. As a part of the BMW ChargingNetwork, BMW drivers can find IONNA stations in the My BMW App and in-car navigation. To hear about openings near you, sign up for updates.

Access to the Tesla charging network is coming in 2025. More detailed information will be available soon.

Follow the enrollment steps under this link to get complimentary charging sessions on Electrify America's DC fast charging network: https://www.bmwusa.com/charging.html#!/ea-enrollment

You can register in four simple steps: 

STEP 01

Download and/or open the My BMW App. Add your new electric BMW (or access your current vehicle) within the App.

STEP 02

On the vehicle status page, scroll to the “Charging” section, then click on “View all." Once in the Charging menu, scroll down to “Services” and click on “Electrify America.”

STEP 03

Get a charging account and confirm EA’s access to your My BMW App data. Then select “Redeem a new Premium Offer” and create an Electrify America account. Now, choose the Premium Plan that corresponds to your BMW's specific Model Year and Model.

STEP 04
Confirm the applicable Premium Offer and enter the enrollment code provided by your BMW Center and BMW Welcome Email. Enter your credit card details, and you’re all set. 

The enrollment steps to get complimentary charging sessions on Electrify America's DC fast charging network can also be found here: https://www.bmwusa.com/charging.html#!/ea-enrollment

Please contact BMW Customer Service if you have any questions. BMW i Hotline: 1-855-236-1025 or bmwiconcierge@bmwusa.com.

As an owner of a 2022 or newer BMW electric vehicle, depending on which model you choose, you will benefit from various complimentary charging plans with Electrify America. Please check the exact program terms of each BMW all-electric model variant on the respective product detail pages. Specific eligibility terms apply.

DC Fast Charging on the Combined Charging System (CCS) on Electrify America's network delivers charging speeds of up to 350 kW for capable vehicles. Every Electrify America site has chargers capable of speeds up to 150 kW. Some locations have chargers that can charge capable vehicles at speeds up to 350 kW. These high-powered chargers can add between 75 and 100 miles of range to your BMW EV, depending on model, or charge your EV's battery from 10 to 80% in about 35 minutes.

You can find your nearest Electrify America charging station here.

All 2025 BMW EVs and most 2024 BMW EVs are eligible for Plug & Charge. However, some models may require a visit to the dealership for a software upgrade in order to use Plug & Charge. Please refer to the Plug & Charge Eligibility Chart to determine if your BMW EV needs a dealer-provided software upgrade in order to use Plug & Charge. Learn more about eligibility and how to set up Plug & Charge.

Plug & Charge is a feature that allows your BMW to automatically authenticate and begin charging as soon as it’s connected to a compatible station. Simply plug in your vehicle at any compatible Electrify America or Shell Recharge charging station and walk away with no need for apps, cards, or any interaction with the charging station.

Plug & Charge is currently supported by Electrify America and select networks through Shell Recharge.

Electrify America: All charging stations are compatible with Plug & Charge
Shell Recharge: As Shell Recharge aggregates multiple charging networks and stations under one account, not all networks and stations currently support Plug & Charge. The following networks are compatible through Shell Recharge, and more are coming in 2025:

• Shell Recharge (select stations)
• IONNA

Through the My BMW App, you can browse and filter for Plug & Charge compatible stations. Additionally, upon parking in front of a charging station, your BMW will always indicate the availability of Plug & Charge on the Goodbye screen.

Visit https://www.bmwusa.com/modals/plug-and-charge.html for step by step instructions.