BMW 745e xDrive EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW 745e xDrive is a plug-in hybrid that charges at up to 3.7 kW at home on a single phase. That makes your choice different from a fully electric car. An expensive fast charger adds nothing here, because the car is the bottleneck and not the charger. You pick on features instead of on charging speed.
BMW sold this plug-in hybrid 7 Series as the 745e, 745Le and 745Le xDrive, depending on the market. Other BMW models each have their own page in our overview of BMW EV chargers.
For the BMW 745e xDrive we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the BMW 745e xDrive
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 12.0 kWh gross (about 10.4 kWh usable) |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 3.7 kW, single-phase |
| Electric range (WLTP) | about 50 km |
| Charging time with a home EV charger | approx. 3 hours (0 to 100%, including charging losses) |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | Not available |
Which EV charger suits the BMW 745e xDrive?
The 745e xDrive never charges faster than 3.7 kW at home. An 11 kW or a 22 kW charger gives you no extra speed, because the car does not draw more. So the charging power is quickly settled. An 11 kW charger covers the 3.7 kW of the 745e with room to spare. It also stays useful when your next car charges faster.
Two features are worth a closer look. A charger with a MID meter has a certified kWh meter built in. It measures what you charge at home separately from your household use. So you know exactly what charging costs you. The second feature is dynamic load balancing, which spreads the available power across your home. The charger then eases off when the rest of your home draws a lot of power, so the main fuse does not trip.
A home charger of this kind fits a garage or a driveway. Our range of home EV chargers collects the models that suit that spot.
Every 11 kW EV charger in our range charges the 745e xDrive at its full 3.7 kW. The BMW 745e xDrive has a Type 2 connection, like most modern chargers. You only need a matching Type 2 charging cable for a charger with a socket. The same goes for charging the car away from home.
How long does the BMW 745e xDrive take to charge?
The maths is simple. A usable battery of 10.4 kWh divided by 3.7 kW comes to about 2.8 hours, before charging losses. In practice you count on about 3 hours from empty to full, charging losses included. You rarely start from completely empty, so the car is usually ready sooner. Plug it in during the evening and you leave in the morning with a full battery. The first 50 kilometres are then fully electric. A higher charging power changes nothing, because the on-board charger of the 745e caps the intake at 3.7 kW.
Other versions of the BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for the predecessor of the 745e xDrive within the 7 Series plug-in hybrid:
- BMW 740Le plug-in hybrid, the earlier PHEV version of the 7 Series
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 745e xDrive need a 3 phase connection?
No. The 745e xDrive charges on a single phase, at up to 3.7 kW. A single phase connection is therefore enough. A three phase charger works too, but the car leaves the extra phases unused and still charges at 3.7 kW.
Why does a MID meter matter for the BMW 745e xDrive?
A MID meter is a certified kWh meter inside the charger. It counts the power you put in the car separately from your household use. That way you see what charging costs you, without picking your energy bill apart. It helps any driver who wants to keep those two figures apart.
Can I charge the BMW 745e xDrive faster with a 22 kW charger?
No. The on-board charger of the 745e xDrive caps the charging power at 3.7 kW. An 11 kW or a 22 kW charger makes no difference here. You would pay for speed that you never use. Pick on the MID meter and on handy features instead.