BMW X5 xDrive45e EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW X5 xDrive45e is a plug-in hybrid with a single-phase onboard charger of 3.7 kW. That figure is a hard ceiling. The car never charges faster at home, not even on a more powerful charger. So for this X5 a charger is not about speed at all. It is about charging safely overnight, and about the years after this car. Charging advice for every other BMW model is on our overview of all BMW EV chargers.
For the BMW X5 xDrive45e we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the BMW X5 xDrive45e
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 24 kWh (approx. 21.6 kWh usable) |
| Max. AC charging power (at home) | 3.7 kW (single-phase) |
| Electric range (WLTP) | approx. 87 km |
| Charging time at 3.7 kW | approx. 6 hours, or 6.5 to 7 hours including charging losses |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | Not available |
Which EV charger fits the BMW X5 xDrive45e?
This X5 takes only 3.7 kW on one phase. For the car itself, a three-phase charger adds nothing. A simple unit fills the battery overnight without effort, and it is the cheaper buy today.
So why do we still recommend 11 kW? Not for this X5, but for what comes after it. A charger stays on the wall far longer than one lease term. If your next car is fully electric, it can use the full 11 kW, and the charger is ready for it. Buy for 3.7 kW now and you will be replacing the charger when that car arrives. If an electric car is not in your plans, a 3.7 kW model is the honest choice and we would rather you spent less.
A MID meter is a certified kWh meter built into the charger, and it is worth specifying for the same reason. It records exactly what goes into the car. Charging at home becomes its own number, instead of a line hidden in the household bill. That matters more once an electric car replaces this hybrid and the volumes go up. Do check the specification before ordering. At 11 kW the choice of models with a built-in certified meter is still narrow, so compare the options among our EV chargers with a MID meter.
Load balancing is worth including for the same reason. The charger reads how much power the rest of the house is drawing, and lowers the charging speed before the connection is overloaded. This X5 asks little of your fuse box, so today it barely comes into play. A heavier successor will ask a lot more, and then dynamic load balancing is what keeps the fuse from tripping. Adding it later usually means swapping the charger, so it is a cheaper decision to make now than to correct.
App control is the one feature that pays off immediately. A plug-in hybrid gets plugged in almost every day, often for short sessions. Scheduling those sessions when the rate is low adds up quickly. Our EV chargers with an app handle that. A charger without an app still does the job for this X5, and those are in our EV home chargers.
The X5 xDrive45e uses a Type 2 connector, like most modern chargers. You only need a separate Type 2 charging cable if you also charge at a public charge point that has a socket instead of a fixed cable.
We arrange installation in the Netherlands, Flanders in Belgium and Germany. Shipping is worldwide, installation is not, so check that your country is on that short list. Wherever you are, we recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That is safer and important for your insurance.
How long does the BMW X5 xDrive45e take to charge?
The maths is simple. The usable battery of roughly 21.6 kWh divided by 3.7 kW comes out at around 6 hours from empty to full. Count on 6.5 to 7 hours in practice, because charging is never loss free. Plug in during the evening and the car is ready the next morning. A more powerful charger does not shorten that time, because the car sets the limit and not the wall box. On a normal household socket the same charge takes considerably longer, which is the practical argument for a proper charger.
Other versions of the BMW X5
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for the other plug-in hybrid version of the X5:
- BMW X5 xDrive40e, the earlier X5 plug-in hybrid
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW X5 xDrive45e need a three-phase EV charger?
Not for the car itself. The X5 xDrive45e charges at 3.7 kW on a single phase. An 11 or 22 kW charger will not make that any faster. The reason to choose three-phase is what comes after this car. A fully electric successor can use the full 11 kW, and the charger will still be on your wall by then.
Why does a MID meter matter on the X5 xDrive45e?
A certified kWh meter records your charging sessions accurately. That turns home charging into a separate, verifiable figure rather than an unknown share of your electricity bill. On a plug-in hybrid the yearly volume is modest. A built-in meter cannot be added to the charger afterwards, so it is worth deciding now.
Can the BMW X5 xDrive45e use DC rapid charging?
No. As a plug-in hybrid the X5 xDrive45e charges only on alternating current through its Type 2 connector. Rapid charging on a DC charger is not possible. That makes a charger at home the practical solution. It is where you fill the battery with the least effort.