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BMW i3 electric: price, range and 400 kW charging
Oct 27, 2026
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Plug in for ten minutes and add 423 km of range. That is the promise of the new BMW i3 50 xDrive, the second model of the Neue Klasse family and the first fully electric 3 Series in the brand's history. Unveiled on 18 March 2026 and built in Munich since August, it arrives at dealerships this autumn with an 800-volt architecture, a 108.7 kWh battery and 400 kW of charging power. The name echoes that of the small electric city car BMW launched in 2013, but the car has nothing else in common with it. It is a 4.76-metre saloon aimed at high-mileage drivers.
Two powertrains, three trims and a launch series
BMW first opened orders for the First Edition in June 2026, then published the prices of the regular range in the autumn. Two powertrains are offered, the 40 xDrive and the 50 xDrive, each in three trim levels. An M60 xDrive version is announced for 2027.
Version | Trim |
i3 40 xDrive | i3 |
i3 40 xDrive | M Sport |
i3 40 xDrive | M Sport Pro |
i3 50 xDrive | i3 |
i3 50 xDrive | M Sport |
i3 50 xDrive | M Sport Pro |
i3 50 xDrive | First Edition (launch series) |
Source: BMW press releases of June and September 2026. Prices vary by market: refer to the price list for your country.
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Launched in June, the First Edition builds on the M Sport trim and adds, among other things, the exterior lighting pack with the "Iconic Glow" illuminated grille, a heated steering wheel, heat-insulating glass, a power tailgate, the 22 kW AC charger and the Driving Assistant Plus driver assistance. It sits at the top of the range, above the 50 xDrive M Sport Pro. All i3 models get the Panoramic Vision display, which projects information across the full width of the windscreen.
Up to 912 kilometres WLTP with the large battery
The i3 50 xDrive carries a 108.7 kWh net battery and delivers 345 kW, or 469 hp, and 645 Nm. It does 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and claims between 814 and 912 km in the WLTP cycle depending on equipment, with rated consumption of 13.4 to 16.2 kWh per 100 km. The First Edition, more heavily equipped, sits between 758 and 906 km.
The 40 xDrive makes do with 82.8 kWh net and 275 kW, or 374 hp. It is still quick, with 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and claims 631 to 710 km WLTP. For a driver who charges at home and makes a few long trips a year, that is already a comfortable range; the price gap with the 50 xDrive is mainly justified for those who regularly string together journeys of more than 500 km.
Why 400 kW changes how you travel
The i3 is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture and new cylindrical cells 46 mm in diameter. At equal current, doubling the voltage doubles the power transmitted, without making the cables heavier. This architecture allows the 50 xDrive its 400 kW, while a Tesla Model 3 Propulsion stops at 175 kW and a Volkswagen ID.7 at 199 kW at best.
Version | Max DC charging power | Range recovered in 10 min | 10 to 80% | AC charging |
i3 40 xDrive | 300 kW | 337 km | n/a | 11 kW, 22 kW optional |
i3 50 xDrive | 400 kW | 423 km | 21 min | 11 kW, 22 kW optional |
Sources: BMW press releases of June and September 2026; 10 to 80% times and AC charging times from the BMW technical sheet for the i3 50 xDrive, June 2026. Range recovered measured according to ISO 12906.
In 21 minutes, the 50 xDrive takes its battery from 10 to 80%, or about 76 kWh stored. On a long motorway journey, the charging stop therefore lasts about as long as an extended coffee break. The difference with a previous-generation saloon is no longer about range, but about time spent stationary.
To reach 400 kW, the car must be plugged into a charger that delivers at least that power, and its battery must be at the right temperature. These ultra-fast chargers remain a minority of public charge points: find compatible stations before you set off. Battery preconditioning before arriving at the station also determines access to the advertised power.
The 40 xDrive, capped at 300 kW
With 300 kW and 337 km recovered in ten minutes, the entry version accepts a higher peak power than a Tesla Model 3 or a Volkswagen ID.7. BMW has not yet published a 10 to 80% time for this version.
A 3 Series built around its battery
At 4,760 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,480 mm high, the i3 takes on the dimensions of the combustion-engined 3 Series, with which it shares a visual identity, on an electric platform of its own. Its 2,897 mm wheelbase frees up space for rear passengers. The boot is rated at 420 litres, supplemented at the front by a 31-litre watertight storage compartment, enough for the charging cable.
On board, the dashboard is organised around the Panoramic Vision display. Bidirectional functions are available. The i3 can power a device of up to 3.7 kW via V2L with the optional 22 kW AC charger, and a home via V2H with the BMW Wallbox Professional combined with a photovoltaic installation. Feeding energy back to the grid, V2G, is not yet rolled out at scale.
Against the iX3 and other premium electric saloons
Its big sister in the Neue Klasse family, the iX3 SUV, offers the same 400 kW charging on its top version. The saloon sits a notch below the SUV on price, while offering four-wheel drive from the entry level, where the iX3 40 is rear-wheel drive.
Against established premium electric saloons, the BMW stands out for its range, which exceeds 900 km WLTP, and its charging speed. Our comparison of premium electric cars lets you place it in the rest of the market.
Charging a BMW i3 on the Electra network
The i3 50 xDrive is one of the cars able to use the full power of our fast charging stations, whose charge points deliver up to 400 kW. With Autocharge, activated once in the app on a compatible vehicle, charging starts when you plug in. Stations are listed on the Electra station map, and our article on the electric cars that charge fastest details the models capable of such power levels.
A 10 to 80% charge represents about 76 kWh. Without a subscription, with the app, a kilowatt-hour costs between €0.39 and €0.61 incl. VAT depending on demand. On such a volume, the Electra+ subscription pays for itself from the first session: the Smart plan gives a discount of about €15 on that single charge, before deducting the subscription. The subscription comes in two plans:
Electra+ Essential: €1.99/month with no commitment, €0.10/kWh discount on every charge on the Electra network.
Electra+ Smart: €4.99/month with no commitment, €0.20/kWh discount on every charge on the Electra network.
The details of Electra charging rates are available online.
At home, one night is not always enough
The large battery has a downside at home. As standard, the i3 charges on alternating current at 11 kW; BMW claims 11 hours for a full charge of the 50 xDrive at that power. The optional 22 kW charger brings this down to 5 h 30 min, provided you have a three-phase installation and a wallbox able to keep up. For most owners, who do not empty their battery every day, 11 kW remains sufficient; high-mileage drivers without regular access to a fast charger, however, should tick the option box.
Frequently asked questions about the electric BMW i3
What versions does the new BMW i3 come in?
The range has two powertrains, the 40 xDrive and the 50 xDrive, each in three trims (i3, M Sport and M Sport Pro), plus the launch First Edition, open for orders since June. Prices depend on the market.
What range does the BMW i3 offer?
Up to 912 km in the WLTP cycle for the 50 xDrive, depending on equipment, and up to 710 km for the 40 xDrive.
How long does it take to charge the BMW i3?
The 50 xDrive goes from 10 to 80% in 21 minutes on a 400 kW charger and recovers up to 423 km in ten minutes. The 40 xDrive, limited to 300 kW, recovers up to 337 km in ten minutes.
What is the difference between the i3 40 xDrive and the 50 xDrive?
The 40 xDrive has an 82.8 kWh net battery, 374 hp and 300 kW fast charging, for 631 to 710 km WLTP. The 50 xDrive moves to 108.7 kWh, 469 hp and 400 kW, for 814 to 912 km.
When will the BMW i3 be delivered?
BMW announces the first deliveries for autumn 2026, depending on the market. Series production started in Munich in August 2026.
Key takeaways
The new BMW i3 reinvents the 3 Series around two measurable arguments: more than 900 km of WLTP range and 400 kW of charging power on the 50 xDrive. From the entry version, the 40 xDrive already offers 300 kW and up to 710 km WLTP. For anyone who regularly does long journeys, the 50 xDrive turns the charging break into a stop of about twenty minutes, provided you aim for an ultra-fast station.
To find Electra stations near you, download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
Written by Nicolas, Electra mobility expert
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