BMW i8 EV charger: which one fits best?
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car with a small battery. Its on-board charger takes about 3.7 kW on a single phase. That changes your choice of home charger completely. A pricey 11 kW or 22 kW charger gives the i8 nothing extra. The car never charges faster than its own charger allows. An affordable charger, or even a portable charger, is often the smartest choice here. Our overview of BMW EV chargers covers the other BMW models too.
For the BMW i8 we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Check your vehicle documents or the car's display to confirm the charging power of your i8. The 11 kW advice is about the future, not about the i8. A lighter charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers charges the i8 just as fast.
Charging specifications of the BMW i8
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 7.1 kWh gross (approx. 5 kWh usable) on early models to 11.6 kWh gross (9.4 kWh usable) from 2018 |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | approx. 3.7 kW (single-phase) |
| Electric range | approx. 37–55 km (NEDC) |
| Charging time at home | approx. 2–3 hours from empty (including charging losses) |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | not available |
Which EV charger suits the BMW i8?
The i8 draws only about 3.7 kW, so you don't need to pay for extra charging power. An entry-level BMW i8 home charger fills the car just as quickly as the most expensive model. So choose on features rather than on speed.
A built-in MID meter is a smart feature to look at. MID stands for the European Measuring Instruments Directive. A certified kWh meter records exactly how much electricity your car takes at home, separate from your household use. That way you know precisely what charging costs you. Keep in mind that our 7.4 kW range has no model with a built-in MID meter. You will find chargers with a MID meter from 11 kW upwards, with the widest choice at 22 kW.
App control is useful too. With an EV charger with an app, you start, stop and track each session from your phone. Our home EV chargers are the simplest place to start.
Not sure which model fits your situation? Our advisers are happy to help. They look at your car, your fuse box and the spot where the charger will go. We are an independent specialist and always recommend the model that suits you best.
How long does the BMW i8 take to charge?
BMW i8 charging at home is easy to estimate: divide the usable battery capacity by the charging power. An early i8 has about 5 kWh of usable capacity. At about 3.7 kW, that is roughly 1.5 hours on paper. For these early models, BMW quotes under two hours. Models from 2018 have 9.4 kWh usable, which works out at about 2.5 hours. For those, BMW quotes less than three hours at 3.6 kW, including charging losses.
Plug the car in at night and it is always full by morning, even with a basic charger. A faster charger does not shorten that time, because the i8 limits its own charging power. The i8 has a Type 2 connection. At home, a charger with a fixed cable is all you need. A Type 2 charging cable comes in handy for public charge points, or for a charger with a socket.
Other BMW models
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for other electric and hybrid BMW models:
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an 11 kW charger for the BMW i8?
No. The i8 charges at about 3.7 kW on a single phase. An 11 kW or 22 kW charger does not charge this car any faster. The car limits its own charging power. A lighter BMW i8 wallbox is more than enough. Still, we suggest an 11 kW model if you plan a next EV that charges faster.
Why is a MID meter important for the BMW i8?
A built-in MID meter records exactly how much electricity you use for charging at home. You see what the i8 really costs to charge, apart from the rest of your household. That is useful for your own budget, and for anyone who needs to show their charging use to someone else. We always recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That is safer and important for your insurance.