BMW i3s 94 Ah EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW i3s 94 Ah charges at home at 7.4 kW as standard, through a Type 2 connection. That is a single-phase on-board charger, so it draws power from one phase of your home connection. That is exactly what decides your charger choice. A charger that delivers 7.4 kW on one phase already gets everything out of this version. Only with BMW's optional three-phase on-board charger does the i3s reach 11 kW. Want to compare more widely first? See our overview of the BMW i3 EV charger or all BMW EV chargers at Wallbox Discounter.
For the BMW i3s 94 Ah we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the BMW i3s 94 Ah
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 33.2 kWh gross, 27.2 kWh usable |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 7.4 kW standard (optional 11 kW with the three-phase charger) |
| Real-world range | approx. 160 km |
| Charging time at 7.4 kW (standard charger) | approx. 4.5 hours (including charging losses) |
| Charging time at 11 kW (optional charger) | approx. 3 hours (including charging losses) |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | CCS, up to approx. 49 kW |
Which EV charger suits the BMW i3s 94 Ah?
The standard i3s 94 Ah charges on one phase at 7.4 kW. A charger that delivers 7.4 kW on one phase therefore gets the most out of this car. An 11 kW three-phase charger works too, but note the catch. With the standard on-board charger the i3s draws only 3.7 kW on a three-phase 16 A connection, because the car limits the power. An 11 kW charger is therefore mainly a future-proof choice, for the optional three-phase charger or a faster next EV.
A MID meter is a certified kWh meter, approved for billing. It lets you measure exactly what home charging costs, separate from the rest of your household use. Good to know: at 7.4 kW there is no model with a built-in MID meter yet. A MID meter starts one power class up, from the 11 kW range and the dedicated chargers with a MID meter. If precise measurement matters to you, it is worth choosing a charger one class higher.
The i3s uses a Type 2 connection, like most modern chargers. You only need a separate Type 2 charging cable if you want to charge somewhere else. At home you charge through the charger's fixed connection.
How long does the BMW i3s 94 Ah take to charge?
The usable battery holds 27.2 kWh. At the standard 7.4 kW you charge the i3s 94 Ah from empty to full in about 4.5 hours. If your car has the optional three-phase on-board charger, you reach 11 kW and the charging time drops to around 3 hours. A higher charger output does not speed things up further, because the car's on-board charger sets the ceiling. On a three-phase connection an 11 kW charger even gives the standard i3s just 3.7 kW. For this version, a charger that delivers 7.4 kW on one phase is the fastest choice.
Other versions of the BMW i3
Wallbox Discounter also has EV charger information for the other versions of the BMW i3:
- BMW i3 60 Ah, the first model with the smaller battery
- BMW i3 94 Ah, the regular version of this generation
- BMW i3s 120 Ah, the later version with the larger battery
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW i3s 94 Ah need a three-phase connection?
No. The standard i3s 94 Ah charges single-phase at 7.4 kW, so a charger that delivers 7.4 kW on one phase is the fastest choice for this version. Only with the optional three-phase on-board charger do you use an 11 kW charger to the full. An 11 kW charger works either way, but it does not charge the standard i3s any faster. That makes it mainly a future-proof choice for a next EV.
Why is a MID meter important for the i3s 94 Ah?
A MID meter records your charging use accurately, separate from your other household consumption. So you can see exactly what charging at home costs you. Among the 7.4 kW chargers there is no model with a built-in MID meter yet; that feature starts from the 11 kW range. If you want to measure your charging precisely, choose a charger with a MID meter one power class up.
Should I have the charger installed?
We always recommend having the connection made by a certified installer, for safety and because it matters for your insurance. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany; in Germany this runs through a free quotation rather than a booked service. Shipping is available worldwide, but installation is limited to those three countries.