BMW i3
Charging cable
The i3 is single-phase 7.4kW as standard. If you specified the optional 11kW three-phase charger, you need the 22kW cable to use it.
Full AC charging speed for your car.
Why this fits your i3+−
The BMW i3 has a Type 2 inlet and a single-phase 7.4kW onboard charger. A 7.4kW cable already delivers its full AC speed. The 22kW option only helps if your next car charges faster.
Which BMW i3 versions does it fit?+
This cable fits every BMW i3, because they all share the same Type 2 charging inlet. That includes:
- BMW i3 I3S
- BMW i3 50 xDrive
- BMW i3 60 Ah REx
- BMW i3 Range Extender
Whichever i3 trim you drive, it is the same cable, so you can order with confidence.
Specifications+−
Delivery & returns+−
Free tracked UK delivery on every order. Built to order in the UK and dispatched fast. 30-day no-fuss returns.
Note: 7.4kW single-phase standard; 11kW 3-phase optional on later cars. CCS DC up to 50kW. Battery grew 22/33/42.2kWh over generations.
How long does it take?
Charging
the BMW i3.
The BMW i3 is a rear-wheel-drive battery-electric hatchback built on a lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium structure, sold in the UK from 2013 to 2022. The battery grew through three generations: the original 60Ah pack holds around 22kWh, the 94Ah pack around 33kWh, and the final 120Ah pack around 42.2kWh, offering progressively more range with each update. All versions charge at AC via a Type 2 inlet, so the cable you bring for home wallboxes and public AC stations is a Type 2 to Type 2 lead.
The i3's onboard AC charger is rated at 7.4kW single-phase as standard, with an optional 11kW three-phase charger available on later cars. It also supports DC rapid charging via a CCS port at up to 50kW, though the rapid charger uses its own tethered cable rather than one you buy. For day-to-day home charging, your Type 2 to Type 2 cable covers everything you need.
Pick your battery generation above. The 120Ah is the most common on the used market; the 60Ah charges quickest but has the shortest range. Rapid (DC) times are for a 10 to 80% charge, the way manufacturers quote them. Real-world charging varies with temperature, battery state and the charger itself.
7.4 kW or 22 kW?
Which cable does
the i3 need?
Most i3 owners have the standard 7.4kW single-phase AC charger. For those cars, a 7.4kW Type 2 cable is the right match and gives the full home charging speed. If your i3 has the optional 11kW three-phase charger, a three-phase 22kW cable can deliver 11kW, but only on a three-phase supply, which is unusual in UK homes. At most domestic wallboxes the single-phase limit of 7.4kW applies regardless. Check your car's options list or the charging menu if you are unsure which charger is fitted.
A 5m cable handles most home setups for an i3. The hatchback is compact, so the distance between a wallbox and the charging inlet is generally manageable at this length. If your setup means the cable needs more reach, a 7m lead is a straightforward upgrade. The i3 charges faster than most PHEVs, so a comfortable cable length is worth prioritising for daily convenience.
What does it cost to charge?
Home charging costs vary by generation. The 42.2kWh 120Ah pack costs roughly £3.15 from empty on an off-peak EV tariff of around 7.5p per kWh, or around £11.40 at a standard rate of around 27p per kWh. The 33kWh 94Ah costs around £2.50 off-peak, and the original 22kWh 60Ah around £1.65. Public rapid charging on CCS is faster but typically far dearer per kWh. Check current tariff rates.
Also for your i3
Goes well with.
Plug & Cable Holder · Type 2
Wottz Plug and Cable Holder
Carry Bag
Wottz Carry Bag
Dust Cap · Type 2
Wottz Dust Cap
BMW i3 FAQs
Good
questions.
Still not sure? Our team will confirm the right cable for your vehicle.
Contact usWhat charging cable does the BMW i3 need?+−
The BMW i3 has a Type 2 inlet, so it needs a Type 2 to Type 2 cable for UK home and public charging. It charges on single-phase AC at up to 7.4kW.
Can the BMW i3 charge at 22kW?+−
Only with the optional three-phase onboard charger. The BMW i3 is single-phase 7.4kW as standard, so a 7.4kW cable delivers its full AC speed. If you specified the optional 11kW three-phase charger, choose the 22kW three-phase cable to use it.
What length charging cable should I get?+−
5m suits most home and public charge points. Choose 7.5m or 10m if the charge point is far from your car's charging port or you park on the far side of a bay.
What cable does the BMW i3 need for home charging?+−
A Type 2 to Type 2 cable for home wallboxes and public AC points. Most i3s have a 7.4kW single-phase charger, making a 7.4kW cable the right choice. Cars with the optional 11kW three-phase charger can use a 22kW cable, but only benefit from the higher rate on a three-phase supply, which is rare in UK homes.
Can the BMW i3 use rapid DC charging?+−
Yes. The BMW i3 has a CCS port for DC rapid charging at up to 50kW. The rapid charger uses its own tethered cable, so you do not need to buy one. For home and public AC charging you still need your own Type 2 to Type 2 cable.
How long does a BMW i3 take to charge at home?+−
At 7.4kW, the 42.2kWh 120Ah pack takes around 5.5 to 6 hours from empty. The 33kWh 94Ah takes roughly 4.5 hours, and the 22kWh 60Ah around 3 hours. All versions are comfortably covered by an overnight charge on a home wallbox.
Does the BMW i3 have a three-phase charger?+−
Some later i3s were fitted with an optional 11kW three-phase charger. If yours has it, a 22kW cable unlocks 11kW on a three-phase supply. On a standard UK single-phase home supply the rate is still capped at 7.4kW, so most i3 owners get the same speed from a 7.4kW cable as from a 22kW one.