Electric Cars: How Do They Work, Battery, Charging & Benefits

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Electric cars

ELECTRIC or PLUG-IN HYBRID?

SHOULD I GET AN ELECTRIC OR PLUG-IN HYBRID? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT.

Interested in switching to all-electric or Plug-In Hybrid driving? We’ve created this simple quiz to help you discover if electric, plug-in hybrid or traditional fuel-powered driving best suits you and your lifestyle.

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Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Result

Question 1 - Range

HOW MANY MILES DO YOU USUALLY DRIVE EACH DAY?

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Question 2 - Home Charging

DO YOU HAVE OFF-STREET PARKING OR SPACE FOR A HOME CHARGER?

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Question 3 - Public Charge Spot

DO YOU HAVE CONVENIENT ACCESS TO PUBLIC CHARGING OR CHARGING AT WORK?

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YOUR RESULT

ALL-ELECTRIC

Based on your daily mileage and access to a charging point, it looks like all-electric could be right for you.

Why choose BMW electric?

On a cost-per-mile basis, an all-electric vehicle can provide fuel savings when compared to combustion engines. Plus, with BMW charging solutions you can charge your car using convenient at-home or public charging options. By driving all-electric you may also be able to take advantage of electric-only schemes in cities, like free parking and exemption from the London Congestion Charge. From a performance perspective, you’ll enjoy a rewarding BMW all-electric driving experience with swift acceleration and agile handling.

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YOUR OPTIONS

ALL-ELECTRIC

Based on your daily mileage and access to a charging point, it looks like all-electric could be right for you.

Why choose BMW electric?

On a cost-per-mile basis, an all-electric vehicle can provide fuel savings when compared to combustion engines. Plus, with BMW charging solutions you can charge your car using convenient at-home or public charging options. By driving all-electric you may also be able to take advantage of electric-only schemes in cities, like free parking and exemption from the London Congestion Charge. From a performance perspective, you’ll enjoy a rewarding BMW all-electric driving experience with swift acceleration and agile handling.

Speak to an Expert View full range

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid adapts to your everyday life. Drive shorter journeys with zero driving emissions using the electric-only motor then switch to the convenience of a petrol engine on longer trips. If you’re a business user, you’ll also benefit from lower benefit-in-kind (BIK) over traditional combustion engines and, on occasions where you are able to charge your electric motor, you'll enjoy maximum fuel economy as the electric motor works intelligently and in tandem with the petrol engine.

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YOUR OPTIONS

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Based on your daily mileage and access to a charging point, it looks like a plug-in hybrid could be right for you.

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid adapts to your everyday life. Drive shorter journeys with zero driving emissions using the electric-only motor then switch to the convenience of a petrol engine on longer trips. If you’re a business user, you’ll also benefit from lower benefit-in-kind (BIK) over traditional combustion engines and, on occasions where you are able to charge your electric motor, you'll enjoy maximum fuel economy as the electric motor works intelligently and in tandem with the petrol engine.

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FUEL ENGINE

Find your BMW

Explore our full petrol and diesel range and find your perfect BMW.

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If you have any questions or wish to discuss living with electric in detail, we’d be happy to help.

YOUR OPTIONS

FUEL ENGINE

Based on your daily mileage and lack of access to a charging point, it looks like a fuel-powered combustion engine may still be right for you. BMW Mild Hybrid technology supports the internal combustion engine, with a 48V battery. The battery helps improve performance and boost acceleration, offering seamless stop/start functionality, fuel efficiency, and reduced CO² emissions while driving.

Find your BMW

Explore our full petrol and diesel range and find your perfect BMW.

View full range

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid adapts to your everyday life. Drive shorter journeys with zero driving emissions using the electric-only motor then switch to the convenience of a petrol engine on longer trips. If you’re a business user, you’ll also benefit from lower benefit-in-kind (BIK) over traditional combustion engines and, on occasions where you are able to charge your electric motor, you'll enjoy maximum fuel economy as the electric motor works intelligently and in tandem with the petrol engine.

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HOW DO ELECTRIC CARS WORK?

An all-electric car runs exclusively on electricity, rather than using a combustion engine. The electricity is stored in a rechargeable battery, which drives an electric motor to power the wheels. So instead of refuelling with petrol or diesel, you can simply recharge your battery at home or one of the many public stations across the country.

ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY WARRANTY.

Our BMW batteries are built to last – which is why they always come with an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty*, whichever comes first. During this time, in the event that your battery needs repairing or replacing, it will be carried out for no charge by our expert BMW Technicians. So you can enjoy peace of mind on every drive.

ELECTRIC MODELS.

BMW i4

Range: Up to 359 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater Saloon

Boot space: 470 litres

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BMW i5

Range: Up to 356 miles*

Body Type: 5 Door Saloon

Boot space: 490 litres

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BMW i5 Touring

Range: Up to 344 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater Saloon

Boot space: 570 litres

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BMW i7

Range: Up to 387 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater Saloon

Boot space: 500 litres

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BMW iX1

Range: Up to 270 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater SUV

Boot space: 490 litres

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BMW iX2

Range: up to 283 miles*

Body type: 5 seater SUV

Boot space: 525 litres

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BMW iX3

Range: Up to 285 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater SUV

Boot space: 510 litres

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BMW iX

Range: Up to 262 miles*

Body Type: 5 Seater SUV

Boot space: 520 litres

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*These figures were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. Battery electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

FAQ.

How much does it cost to charge a BMW electric car?

The amount it costs to charge an all-electric car depends on a range of factors – including the size of your battery and the cost of the charging method you use.

You’re more likely to incur lower charging costs if you’re able to charge at home. We’ve created a handy calculator that can estimate your at-home charging cost based on your mileage and the amount you pay for electricity. It can also calculate your current fuel costs, so you can see how much you can save by switching to electric.

If you drive to work, many employers are installing workplace charging points, typically offering free access throughout the day.

At public charging stations, the cost will vary depending on the charging rate and the pricing structure of the station. Some public charging stations sometimes offer free charging or a flat fee per charging session, while others charge by the kWh or the amount of time you spend charging. Some networks – including IONITY and bp pulse – offer monthly subscriptions that give access to preferential rates when using their charging stations.

For more information about charging your BMW please contact us.
How long does it take to charge a BMW electric car?

The time it takes to charge an all-electric BMW depends on multiple variables, such as the model, battery and how you choose to charge it. For example:

Charging a BMW i4 eDrive35 at a High-Power Charging Station (DC) from 10-80%* will take approximately 32 minutes. Charging the same car to full battery at home using a Home Charger (AC) will take approximately 8 hours*.

To find the charging times of each electrified BMW within the range, please visit the BMW configurator
What should I do if I leave my car parked for a long time?

If you won’t be driving your electric car for a prolonged period of time – such as during a holiday – you should leave it unplugged with a charge of between 30 and 50%. We also recommend parking your vehicle in a cool place or in the shade during summer months and keeping it in a garage in winter, if possible.
Should I buy an all-electric car now or wait?

With more choice of all-electric vehicles than ever and battery technology constantly evolving, now is a great time to buy an all-electric car. The public charging infrastructure is also always improving in terms of scale and speed, making life easier than ever for electric drivers, plus you’ll save money on fuel by making the switch. The sale of new fuel-powered cars will also be banned in the UK from 2030, signalling a shift towards a fully electric future for everyone.

If you want to experience the many benefits of electric driving without giving up your fuel-powered engine completely, you should consider a plug-in hybrid car instead.
Do electric cars need servicing?

Yes, electric cars need servicing regularly to ensure they’re running safely and efficiently. However, as electric motors have fewer moving parts than a combustion engine – around 20 compared to 2,000 – there can be less wear and tear.
How do I optimise my electric car’s battery life?
Various factors can impact the battery life – and subsequent single-charge range – of your all-electric car. To optimise it, we recommend:
- Avoiding frequent rapid charging, which can put extra stress on the battery.
- Not allowing your battery run completely flat – aim to keep it between 20-80% charged.
- Avoiding exposing your car to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, as this can affect the battery's performance.
- Using regenerative braking, which uses kinetic energy created by the car to charge the battery while driving.
- Regularly checking your tyre pressure, as underinflated tyres can increase energy consumption and put more strain on the battery.
- Pre-conditioning your car’s battery to the optimum temperature while it’s still charging.
- Considering your route. Motorways and high-speed dual carriageways use more of your battery than slower roads.
- Driving as smoothly as possible, avoiding sudden acceleration and hard braking.
What are the congestion and low emission zone charges?

Electric car drivers are exempt from paying the London Congestion Charge and ULEZ fee, as well as any charges associated with the Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Sheffield. So you can reduce your environmental impact and save money at the same time.
What are the tax benefits of a driving an electric car?

Electric vehicles are currently exempt from paying vehicle excise duty (also known as road tax), which could save you hundreds of pounds per year compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. They’re also subject to lower rates of benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax. This is currently locked in at 2% until at least 2025, compared to 20% for petrol and diesel cars – offering yet more significant savings.

BMW PLUG-IN HYBRIDS.

Want to experience electric efficiency and performance with the versatility and peace of mind of a combustion engine? Discover our BMW plug-in hybrid models and their benefits below.

CHARGING.

Along with efficient home and workplace charging solutions, BMW offers access to an extensive network of public chargers.

Learn more

ELECTRIC CARS.

ELECTRIC or PLUG-IN HYBRID?

SHOULD I GET AN ELECTRIC OR PLUG-IN HYBRID? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT.

Question 1 - Range

HOW MANY MILES DO YOU USUALLY DRIVE EACH DAY?

Question 2 - Home Charging

DO YOU HAVE OFF-STREET PARKING OR SPACE FOR A HOME CHARGER?

Question 3 - Public Charge Spot

DO YOU HAVE CONVENIENT ACCESS TO PUBLIC CHARGING OR CHARGING AT WORK?

YOUR RESULT

ALL-ELECTRIC

Why choose BMW electric?

YOUR OPTIONS

ALL-ELECTRIC

Why choose BMW electric?

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

YOUR OPTIONS

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

FUEL ENGINE

Find your BMW

YOUR OPTIONS

FUEL ENGINE

Find your BMW

PLUG-IN HYBRID

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

ELECTRIC MODELS.

FAQ.