BMW 740E eDrive charging cable

The BMW 740e iPerformance was the first plug-in hybrid 7 Series of the G11 generation, launched in 2016 as part of BMW's early push to bring eDrive technology to its flagship saloon range. The badge "eDrive" marked the same car in certain markets, sharing the same powertrain: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 190 kW, paired with an 83 kW electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, for a combined system output of 240 kW with 500 Nm of torque. In rear-wheel-drive form, the 740e reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds; the all-wheel-drive 740Le xDrive takes a fraction longer. Electric-only range is quoted at 27 to 30 miles in the NEDC cycle, with real-world figures typically closer to 15 to 18 miles.

The 740e was replaced by the 745e in the 2019 facelift, which brought a more powerful inline-six engine and a slightly larger battery. The 740e therefore covers production from 2016 to 2019, and is today found primarily on the used market. Its charging setup is consistent with other BMW PHEVs of the same period: a 9.2 kWh battery with 7.4 kWh usable, a 3.7 kW single-phase onboard AC charger, and a Type 2 charging port on the left front flank. No DC rapid charging is available. At 3.7 kW, a full charge from near-empty takes around two and a half hours on a compatible wallbox, making it one of the faster PHEV top-ups of its era despite the modest charge rate, thanks to the small battery.

Cable for the BMW 740e

The 740e uses a Type 2 connector, so a Voldt® Type 2 charging cable is the correct choice. The onboard charger is limited to 3.7 kW single-phase, so a 3.7 kW cable is the direct match. A 7.4 kW cable is worth choosing as an upgrade: it works identically at 3.7 kW on this car and remains considerably more useful on any higher-capacity PHEV or fully electric vehicle, either owned alongside it or in the future. An 11 kW cable adds a further step of versatility for the same reason, and is worth considering if you share the cable across multiple vehicles.

The left-front port suits most forward-entry bay layouts naturally. The 740e's battery is small enough that it charges fully in around two and a half hours at 3.7 kW, making cable reach an even smaller concern than usual: even a brief session at a public post adds meaningful range. A 5 or 6-metre cable is sufficient for virtually every home setup. An 8-metre cable adds practical flexibility for public posts or wider parking spaces, and is the more sensible long-term choice if you regularly charge in varied locations or share the cable.

Portable and away-from-home options

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable connects to industrial sockets and is available up to 22 kW via three-phase CEE. For the 740e, a 16A single-phase CEE socket delivers around 3.7 kW, filling the 7.4 kWh usable battery in approximately two and a half hours: a genuinely short stop at any campsite, marina, or workshop with a socket to hand. The Schuko portable charger delivers up to 2.3 kW from a standard household socket. At that rate the 740e's battery fills from near-empty in around three and a half hours, making the Schuko a practical primary charging option for this car rather than a backup: for a battery this size, a household socket is entirely adequate overnight, and plugging in after dinner guarantees a full battery before breakfast.

Quality you can rely on, every time

Voldt® charging cables are CE, UKCA and TÜV certified and manufactured according to IATF 16949 automotive quality standards. Single-piece moulded connectors, no glue or screws. IP67-rated for operation between −30°C and +50°C. 100% copper conductors with silver-plated contacts. Tested beyond 10,000 connection cycles. Three-year warranty, 100-day returns, free shipping across Europe.