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The BMW i3 is a fully electric saloon with 5 seats. In our October 2026 check, UK guide prices ran at £53,425, with a real-world range of about 440 miles (official WLTP 567 miles) and a 109 kWh usable battery. None of the versions in our list is on the Electric Car Grant list.

BMW i3 versions and prices

Guide prices checked October 2026 and may already include the Electric Car Grant. Real-world range is EV Database's typical estimate; the official WLTP figure is higher. Always confirm the price with the seller.

Charging

The BMW i3 can rapid charge at up to 400 kW. That peak only lasts part of a session: averaged from 10% to 80%, it is about 230 kW, about 21 minutes on a fast enough charger.

At home it accepts up to 11 kW on AC. On a typical 7 kW wallbox, a full charge from empty takes roughly 16 hours; most top-ups take far less. Its CCS plug is on the right side, rear. See charging times, smart EV tariffs and chargers near me.

Real-world range

For the BMW i3 50 xDrive (Neue Klasse saloon), EV Database estimates these ranges. Cold means about −10°C with the heating on; mild means about 23°C; motorway means a steady 70 mph.

Heat pump: standard. One-stop motorway range with a 15-minute charge: about 556 miles. Try the range reality check or the range map for your own driving.

Running costs

At 10,000 miles a year, charging 80% at home on a smart tariff at 7.6p per kWh and 20% on rapid chargers at 79p, the BMW i3 50 xDrive (Neue Klasse saloon) would use about 2,683 kWh and cost about £587 a year to charge (5.9p a mile). Vehicle tax: £10 in the first year, then £200 a year, plus the £440-a-year expensive car supplement in years 2 to 6 because its list price is over £50,000. From April 2028 the pay-per-mile charge (eVED) is due to add 3p a mile, about £300 a year at 10,000 miles.

Work out the five-year cost against petrol

Battery, warranty and features

Battery chemistry: NMC (named by EV Database or another published source). EV Database lists the battery warranty as 8 years or 100,000 miles; check the terms and capacity threshold for your car.

• Heat pump: Standard
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Yes, up to 3.7 kW
• Vehicle-to-grid: Yes
• Plug & Charge supported
• Battery architecture: 800 V
• Power: 463 hp, 0–62 mph in 4.7 s

See battery types explained and how long EV batteries last.

Space, size and towing

It has 5 seats and a boot of about 451 litres. It is 4.76 m long, 1.86 m wide (2.08 m with mirrors) and 1.48 m tall, and weighs about 2,280 kg. It is rated to tow up to 1,800 kg (braked) in our data. Towing cuts range a lot, so allow extra margin. See electric cars for towing.

Electric Car Grant

None of the versions in our list is on the Electric Car Grant list. The grant only covers eligible new pure electric cars priced at £37,000 or less. See the Electric Car Grant and EV tax.

Reliability

Reliability scores come from the Warrantywise Reliability Index, which uses data from used cars, so many new models do not have a score yet. See the BMW page and the Index explained.

Rivals

Head to head: BMW i3 vs Volkswagen ID.7 · BMW i3 vs BMW i4 · BMW i3 vs DS N°8

Frequently asked questions

How much does the BMW i3 cost in the UK?

In our October 2026 check, UK guide prices for the BMW i3 were £53,425. Prices change often, so confirm with the seller.

What is the real-world range of the BMW i3?

EV Database's typical real-world estimate is about 440 miles, depending on the version (official WLTP 567 miles). In cold weather at motorway speeds expect around 325 miles.

How long does the BMW i3 take to charge?

It can rapid charge at up to 400 kW, which takes it from 10% to 80% in about 21 minutes on a fast enough charger. On a 7 kW home charger a full charge from empty takes roughly 16 hours.

How efficient is the BMW i3?

EV Database estimates about 4.1 miles per kWh in typical driving. At 7.6p per kWh off-peak, that is roughly 2.0 pence a mile charged at home.

Does the BMW i3 have a heat pump?

Yes, a heat pump is standard in our data, which helps winter range.

Is the BMW i3 eligible for the Electric Car Grant?

None of the versions in our list is on the Electric Car Grant list.

Figures compiled October 2026 from published UK sources, mainly EV Database UK, and are approximate (how we compile them). Page reviewed 2026-10-16. See our sources. General information, not financial, legal or technical advice.

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