BMW X5 xDrive40e EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW X5 xDrive40e is a plug-in hybrid with a compact 9.0 kWh battery and a single-phase 3.7 kW on-board charger. That makes the choice straightforward. This X5 never draws more than 3.7 kW, so an expensive 11 kW or 22 kW charger buys you nothing in speed. A basic model in the 7.4 kW class is plenty. Driving a different BMW? Our overview of all BMW EV chargers lists every model.
For the BMW X5 xDrive40e we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the BMW X5 xDrive40e
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 9.0 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 3.7 kW (single-phase) |
| Electric range | around 23 km |
| Charging time at 3.7 kW | about 2.5 hours |
| Charging plug | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | not available |
Which EV charger fits the BMW X5 xDrive40e?
The X5 xDrive40e charges on one phase and accepts 3.7 kW at most. It uses a single wire of your supply instead of all three, which is what single-phase means. A charger from the 7.4 kW class is therefore the sensible pick. It gives the car everything it can take and costs a good deal less than a three-phase model.
The power question is settled quickly here, so the features are what actually differ. Two of them are worth weighing for a plug-in hybrid that charges most nights:
- Load balancing means the charger watches how much power your fuse box has free. It lowers the charging power when the rest of the house needs it. A short 2.5-hour session rarely causes trouble on its own. It helps most if your fuse box is already busy in the evening, and one charger with dynamic load balancing runs at 7.4 kW: see our EV chargers with dynamic load balancing.
- App control lets you start, pause and schedule a session from your phone. That way you shift charging to the hours when your electricity is cheapest. There are EV chargers with an app in the 7.4 kW class too.
One feature is missing at this power level: the MID meter. That is a certified kWh meter, and it logs your home charging separately from the rest of the house. In our range that meter is three-phase only, so it starts at 11 kW. For this X5 that is not a slower charger. On a three-phase 11 kW model the car still pulls 3.7 kW from one phase. It does mean you need a three-phase connection at home. If the metering matters to you, compare the chargers with a MID meter before you decide.
The 7.4 kW class covers everything this X5 can take, so start there: see all 7.4 kW EV chargers. Want to compare more broadly first? Our home EV chargers show the full range for charging at your own address. Not sure what your fuse box can handle? Our team will talk it through with you by phone or email, free of charge.
How long does the BMW X5 xDrive40e take to charge?
The sum is simple: 9.0 kWh divided by 3.7 kW is about 2.5 hours for a full charge. Plug in during the evening and the car is always ready the next morning. Because the X5 xDrive40e has no DC fast charging, you always charge through the Type 2 connection.
Pick a model with a fixed cable, or a socket model plus your own Type 2 charging cable.
Other versions of the BMW X5
Wallbox Discounter also has charging advice for the other version of the BMW X5:
- BMW X5 xDrive45e, the newer plug-in hybrid with a much larger battery and a longer electric range
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW X5 xDrive40e need a three-phase charger?
No. The X5 xDrive40e has a single-phase 3.7 kW on-board charger. A three-phase 11 kW or 22 kW charger will not charge this car any faster. The car sets the limit, not the charger. A single-phase charger from the 7.4 kW class is therefore the logical choice, and the least expensive of the three classes.
Is a MID meter useful on this X5?
It is useful if you want to see what home charging costs you, apart from the rest of your electricity use. A MID meter is a certified kWh meter built into the charger. In our range it only comes on three-phase models, so you would move up to 11 kW and need a three-phase connection. The car itself keeps charging at 3.7 kW either way.
Can I charge the BMW X5 xDrive40e from an ordinary socket?
You can, with a portable charger, but it delivers around 2.3 kW at most. It also puts a heavy load on that circuit for hours. A fixed charger is safer and quicker. We always advise having the connection made by a qualified electrician, and the rules for that differ per country. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium, and in Germany through a free quote. Outside those three countries we ship worldwide, but we do not install.