BMW i8
Charging cable
Full AC charging speed for your car.
Why this fits your i8+−
The BMW i8 has a Type 2 inlet and a single-phase 3.7kW onboard charger. A 7.4kW cable already delivers its full AC speed. The 22kW option only helps if your next car charges faster.
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: 7.1kWh to 2017; 11.6kWh from 2018 facelift; no DC
How long does it take?
Charging
the BMW i8.
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports coupe produced between 2014 and 2020 in the I12 generation, with a roadster variant (I15) also available from 2018. Early i8s used a 7.1kWh battery; from the 2018 facelift the battery grew to 11.6kWh, improving electric-only range. The petrol engine handles most performance duties while the electric motor supports under acceleration and covers short electric-only trips. Charging is through a Type 2 inlet on AC only; the cable you need is a Type 2 to Type 2 lead for wallboxes and public AC points.
There is no DC rapid charging capability on the i8. The onboard AC charger is rated at 3.7kW on a single phase, which is modest compared with more modern PHEVs. That means topping up a fully depleted battery takes a couple of hours rather than minutes, and the car draws well within the capacity of a standard 7.4kW home wallbox or even a three-pin socket.
The i8 has no DC rapid charging port. All charging is via the Type 2 AC inlet at up to 3.7kW. 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 i8 need?
Because the i8's onboard charger draws only 3.7kW, there is no reason to buy anything larger than a standard 7.4kW Type 2 cable. The car cannot use more than 3.7kW on AC whatever cable you connect, so a 7.4kW lead is already comfortably above the car's maximum. Even a three-pin granny cable at 2.3kW will charge either battery variant in a reasonable time given the small pack sizes involved.
The choice of cable is therefore more about convenience than speed. A 5m Type 2 to Type 2 lead at 7.4kW is the practical pick: it works with every UK wallbox and public AC point, and the i8 will draw 3.7kW through it without issue. There is no benefit from a longer cable rating, and no DC port, so keep it simple.
What does it cost to charge?
Filling the pre-facelift 7.1kWh battery from empty costs roughly £0.50 on an off-peak tariff of around 7.5p per kWh, and around £2 at a standard rate of around 27p. The 11.6kWh post-facelift battery costs roughly £1 off-peak and around £3 at standard rates. Even at standard tariffs the i8's battery is inexpensive to charge, so the cost of electricity is rarely the deciding factor in how often you plug in. Public tariffs do not apply in any meaningful way here as the i8 has no rapid charging. Check current rates.
Also for your i8
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 i8 FAQs
Good
questions.
Still not sure? Our team will confirm the right cable for your vehicle.
Contact usWhat charging cable does the BMW i8 need?+−
The BMW i8 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 3.7kW.
Can the BMW i8 charge at 22kW?+−
No, the BMW i8 has a single-phase onboard charger limited to 3.7kW, so a 7.4kW cable already delivers its full AC speed. A 22kW cable would only benefit a future car.
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 i8 need for charging?+−
A Type 2 to Type 2 cable connects the i8 to UK home wallboxes and public AC charge points. The i8's onboard charger is limited to 3.7kW, so a standard 7.4kW-rated cable is more than sufficient. There is no DC rapid charging port on the i8, so the Type 2 to Type 2 lead is the only cable you need.
Can the BMW i8 rapid charge?+−
No. The i8 has no DC rapid charging capability. It charges exclusively through its Type 2 AC inlet at up to 3.7kW. That limits charging to wallboxes, public AC units, and three-pin sockets. Even on a standard home wallbox the small battery fills in around two hours on the post-facelift 11.6kWh version.
How long does a BMW i8 take to charge?+−
At 3.7kW on a wallbox the 11.6kWh post-facelift battery takes around three hours from empty. The earlier 7.1kWh battery charges in roughly two hours at the same rate. On a three-pin socket at around 2.3kW, add another hour or so. The small battery means even a slow charge tops it up quickly compared with a full BEV.
Does the BMW i8 use Type 1 or Type 2 charging?+−
The UK i8 uses a Type 2 inlet, so a standard Type 2 to Type 2 cable is all you need for home wallboxes and public AC points. You do not need a Type 2 to Type 1 adapter. Type 1 inlets appear on some older or Japanese-market EVs but not on the UK i8.