BMW i7 eDrive50 EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW i7 eDrive50 charges at home at 22 kW on three phases. That onboard charger is standard, not an option. Three-phase means your meter box carries three live wires instead of one. The usable battery holds 101.7 kWh. A 22 kW charger fills it in about 5 hours 30 minutes. An 11 kW charger halves that speed, so the same charge takes around 11 hours. A 22 kW charger needs three phases at 32 A each, so check your connection first. The i7 is the all-electric 7 Series, and it uses the same Type 2 connector as any other EV. Our overview of EV chargers for BMW lets you compare the other models side by side.
For the BMW i7 eDrive50 we recommend a charger from our 22 kW EV charger range.
Charging specifications of the BMW i7 eDrive50
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 101.7 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 22 kW (three-phase, 32 A per phase), standard |
| Range (WLTP) | 574–611 km |
| Charging time with a 22 kW EV charger | approx. 5 h 30 min (empty to full, including charging losses) |
| Charging time with an 11 kW EV charger | approx. 11 hours (empty to full, including charging losses) |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | up to 195 kW, 10–80% in 34 minutes |
Which EV charger suits the BMW i7 eDrive50?
The eDrive50 comes with a 22 kW three-phase onboard charger as standard. It draws up to 32 A per phase. A 22 kW charger therefore uses the full speed the car was built for. An 11 kW charger works, but it charges at half that rate. A 5 hour 30 minute charge then turns into roughly 11 hours.
A MID meter is the second thing to check. That is a certified kWh meter inside the charger, accurate enough to bill from. It measures what you put into the car separately from your household use, so you know what charging costs. Almost every model in our range of EV chargers with a MID meter charges at 22 kW. On 11 kW the choice is very limited. That works in your favour here, because 22 kW is the right power for this car anyway.
Our 22 kW EV chargers include models with app control and dynamic load balancing. Load balancing lowers the charging current when the rest of your house draws more power. Our 11 kW EV chargers stay an option if your connection cannot carry 32 A per phase. Plan the spot on the wall and the cable route to your meter box before you order from our range of home EV chargers.
How long does the BMW i7 eDrive50 take to charge?
BMW quotes 5 hours 30 minutes for an empty to full charge at 22 kW. That figure includes charging losses, so it sits above what you get by dividing 101.7 kWh by 22 kW. On an 11 kW charger the same charge takes about 11 hours. You rarely start at 0 percent, so one night on the charger covers normal use.
Plug in at 11 pm on a 22 kW charger and the car is full by early morning. On the road you use the DC fast charger, up to 195 kW. That takes you from 10 to 80 percent in 34 minutes.
Other versions of the BMW i7
Wallbox Discounter also has EV charger information for the other versions of the BMW i7:
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 22 kW EV charger for the BMW i7 eDrive50?
Yes. The eDrive50 has a 22 kW three-phase onboard charger as standard, at 32 A per phase. A 22 kW charger is the only one that gives you that full speed. On an 11 kW charger the car still charges, but at half the rate. You wait about 11 hours instead of 5 hours 30 minutes for a full battery.
Why does a MID meter matter for the i7 eDrive50?
A MID meter is a certified kWh meter built into the charger. It counts the electricity that goes into your car apart from the rest of your home. With a battery of 101.7 kWh you charge a lot of kilowatt hours at home. A meter you can rely on tells you exactly what those sessions cost.
What are the BMW i7 home charging installation electrical requirements?
A 22 kW charger needs a three-phase connection that supplies 32 A per phase. A weaker three-phase connection still charges the car, just more slowly. Always have a qualified electrician connect the charger. That is safer and it matters for your insurance. Ask them to check your fuse box and the capacity of your connection first. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. You can see what that covers on our installation page. We ship worldwide, so elsewhere you order the charger from us and have it fitted locally.