BMW 330e plug-in hybrid EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid with the 12 kWh battery charges at home at up to 3.7 kW on a single phase. That limit is deliberate: the car's on-board charger caps the charging power, whichever EV charger you connect it to. An 11 kW charger therefore charges this 330e just as fast as a simple one, fully in about three and a half hours. The gain is not in speed but in the right features. Our overview of BMW EV chargers lists the right charger for every other BMW with a plug.
This page covers the 330e with the 12 kWh battery that BMW built from 2019 until the 2024 update. Since mid-2024, the 330e has a new, larger battery and three-phase AC charging at up to 11 kW as standard; for that version, an 11 kW charger makes full use of it. Not sure which one you drive? Check your vehicle documents or the charging menu on the display.
For the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | approx. 12 kWh, of which approx. 10.4 kWh is usable |
| Maximum AC charging power at home | 3.7 kW, single-phase |
| Electric range (WLTP) | approx. 55 to 60 km |
| Charging time from 0 to 100% | approx. 3 hours |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | Not available |
Which EV charger fits the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid?
Because the 330e never charges faster than 3.7 kW at home, you choose on features and reliability rather than on power. A built-in MID meter is a feature worth weighing. A MID meter is a certified kWh meter: it measures the electricity you charge at home separately from your household consumption, so you know exactly what charging costs you.
The chargers in our 7.4 kW range do not have a built-in MID meter. If you want one, look at our 11 kW EV chargers. All our EV chargers with MID meter are three-phase models. On a three-phase connection, the 330e takes one phase from them and charges at the same 3.7 kW. Have a single-phase connection? Then ask your installer which charger suits your home.
With a charger that has a fixed cable, the 330e charges at home directly through that cable's Type 2 plug. If you also want to charge the car elsewhere, you need a separate Type 2 charging cable. For an easy starting point, browse our EV chargers for home.
How long does the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid take to charge?
The BMW 330e charging time at home is easy to work out. Divide the usable battery of about 10.4 kWh by the charging power of 3.7 kW and you get just under three hours; with the usual charging losses, it takes about three and a half hours in practice. Good to know: that stays the same with an 11 kW charger. The car never draws more than 3.7 kW, so a more powerful charger saves no time. Plug the 330e in during the evening and it is full well before your next trip. If you mostly drive short distances on electricity, that is more than enough.
Other versions and BMW plug-in hybrids
Wallbox Discounter also has EV charger advice for other BMW models with a plug and a similar charging profile:
- BMW 530e plug-in hybrid, the larger saloon in the 5 Series
- BMW X1 xDrive25e, a compact SUV with a plug
- BMW 225xe Active Tourer plug-in, a spacious family car
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid need a three-phase EV charger?
No. The 330e charges at home on one phase at up to 3.7 kW. A three-phase charger works fine, but it adds no speed because the car's on-board charger sets the maximum. A simple EV charger is more than enough for this plug-in hybrid.
Why does a MID meter matter for the BMW 330e?
With a built-in MID meter you record exactly how much electricity you charge at home, separately from the rest of your household consumption. That way you always know what charging your 330e costs.
Do I need to have the EV charger installed?
The rules differ per country, but we always recommend having the connection made by a qualified installer, because that is the safe choice. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. In the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium you order it together with your charger; in Germany it runs through a free quotation.