BMW i5
Charging cable
The i5 is 11kW three-phase as standard. The optional 22kW charger charges faster on a three-phase supply. The 22kW cable is the right one either way.
Charges about 50% faster on 22 kW public posts than a 7.4 kW cable.
Why this fits your i5+−
The BMW i5 has a Type 2 inlet and a three-phase 11kW onboard charger. The 22kW cable carries its full 11kW on three-phase chargers. A 7.4kW cable would cap it. On a single-phase home wallbox both cables charge at the same 7.4kW.
Which BMW i5 versions does it fit?+
This cable fits every BMW i5, because they all share the same Type 2 charging inlet. That includes:
- BMW i5 eDrive40
- BMW i5 xDrive40
- BMW i5 M60
Whichever i5 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: 11kW AC standard (22kW optional). DC up to 205kW. 84kWh gross (~81.2 usable).
How long does it take?
Charging
the BMW i5.
The BMW i5 is a large executive saloon and Touring estate, launched in the UK from late 2023 on the G60 platform. Three powertrain variants cover the range: the eDrive40 is rear-wheel drive, the xDrive40 adds all-wheel drive, and the M60 brings full performance AWD. All three share an 84kWh gross battery pack (around 81kWh usable) and the same Type 2 AC inlet plus CCS rapid port. The cable you carry for home and public AC charging is a Type 2 to Type 2 lead.
BMW fits the i5 with an 11kW three-phase onboard AC charger as standard, though a 22kW upgrade is offered on some configurations. For rapid DC, the i5 accepts up to 205kW through the charger's own tethered CCS cable. That DC speed is one of the highest in the saloon segment, but it has no bearing on what cable you buy: AC and DC are entirely separate charging paths, and the cable in your boot covers AC only.
All i5 variants share the same 84kWh pack. DC peaks at 205kW on compatible rapid chargers, which is handled by the charger's tethered cable. 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 i5 need?
The i5's 11kW onboard charger requires a three-phase supply to operate at its rated speed. In practice, the vast majority of UK homes and most workplace wallboxes run on single-phase power, which delivers a maximum of 7.4kW regardless of the cable rating. For an i5 owner charging on a standard home wallbox, a 7.4kW Type 2 cable gives the full speed the installation can offer and costs noticeably less than a 22kW unit.
The case for a 22kW three-phase cable is specific: you need either a three-phase home supply (fitted in a small number of UK properties and some rural installations) or regular access to 22kW public AC charge points. At those locations, the standard 11kW charger will draw its full 11kW, and if your i5 has the optional 22kW upgrade fitted, it can use all 22kW. Anywhere else, the extra cable rating sits unused. Buy the 22kW cable if the access is there; otherwise the 7.4kW option is the smarter spend.
A 5m cable covers most home driveways and car park bays comfortably. If your wallbox is mounted further from where the car sits, or you reverse into a space with the charging port ending up well away from the socket, a 7m or 10m lead avoids any awkward stretch.
What does it cost to charge?
A full charge on the 84kWh battery costs roughly £6 to £7 on an off-peak EV tariff at around 7.5p per kWh. At a standard domestic rate of around 27p per kWh the same charge runs to about £23. With a battery this size, the difference between tariffs adds up quickly across the year, so a dedicated EV overnight tariff makes clear financial sense. Public rapid charging typically runs 45p to 80p per kWh and is best kept for motorway trips rather than routine top-ups. Check current rates as tariffs vary.
Also for your i5
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 i5 FAQs
Good
questions.
Still not sure? Our team will confirm the right cable for your vehicle.
Contact usCan the BMW i5 charge at 22kW?+−
As standard the BMW i5 has an 11kW three-phase onboard charger; the optional 22kW charger lets it charge at up to 22kW on a three-phase supply. Either way it uses the same 22kW three-phase cable.
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 charging cable does the BMW i5 need?+−
The i5 charges through a Type 2 inlet, so you need a Type 2 to Type 2 cable for home wallboxes and public AC points. A 5m lead is the standard choice for most driveways. On a single-phase home supply, 7.4kW is the maximum available speed; a 22kW cable only adds value if you have three-phase power or use 22kW public chargers regularly.
Does the BMW i5 charge at 22kW?+−
The standard i5 has an 11kW onboard AC charger; the optional 22kW upgrade is available on some configurations. Even with the upgrade, reaching 22kW requires a three-phase supply. Most UK homes are single-phase, which limits AC home charging to 7.4kW whatever charger or cable is fitted. Check your car's build sheet for the charger option.
How long does the BMW i5 take to charge at home?+−
On a 7.4kW single-phase wallbox, the 84kWh pack takes roughly 11 to 12 hours from empty to a full charge. That is within a standard overnight window for most people. On a three-phase 11kW wallbox, the same charge completes in around 8 hours. A 3-pin socket is impractical for an 84kWh car, stretching to 35 or more hours.
How fast can the BMW i5 DC rapid charge?+−
Up to 205kW on a compatible CCS rapid charger, which is among the fastest available for a saloon. That speed is handled by the rapid charger's own tethered cable and has no connection to the Type 2 cable you carry. Charge speed in practice varies with battery temperature and state of charge, and preconditioning the battery before arriving at a rapid charger helps maintain peak speed in cold weather.