BMW 745E PHEV charging cable

The BMW 745e was the plug-in hybrid flagship of the G11 generation 7 Series, introduced with the 2019 facelift and sold until the G70 arrived in 2022. Its arrival marked a meaningful upgrade over the four-cylinder 740e it replaced: a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six producing 210 kW, working alongside an 83 kW electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. Combined system output is 290 kW with 600 Nm of torque, and the rear-wheel-drive 745e reaches 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The electric motor draws from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned beneath the rear seats, offering up to 36 miles of WLTP electric range and an electric top speed of 87 mph. The long-wheelbase 745Le and all-wheel-drive 745Le xDrive carry the same powertrain with marginally different range figures. No DC rapid charging is available on any variant. The charging port sits on the left front flank, Type 2, consistent with BMW's PHEV lineup throughout this era.

Choosing the right cable for the BMW 745e

The 745e uses a Type 2 connector, so a Voldt® Type 2 charging cable is the correct choice across all variants, short- and long-wheelbase alike. The onboard charger is limited to 3.7 kW single-phase, so a 3.7 kW cable matches it precisely. A 7.4 kW cable is worth choosing as an upgrade: it performs identically at 3.7 kW on the 745e and remains considerably more useful on any higher-capacity PHEV or fully electric vehicle you might own alongside or after this car. An 11 kW or 22 kW cable adds a further step of future-proofing and is the sensible pick if you share the cable across multiple vehicles or regularly charge at three-phase public posts.

The left-front port position means pulling forward into a bay aligns the port naturally with most public charge points. The 745e is a long car, particularly in Le specification, but the battery charges quickly enough at 3.7 kW that cable reach is rarely the deciding factor. A 6-metre cable is sufficient for most home setups. An 8-metre cable adds useful flexibility for posts set further from the bay, for wider parking spaces, or for any situation where the car's length puts the port side further from the pillar than expected.

Portable charging for the BMW 745e

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable connects to industrial sockets and is available up to 22 kW via three-phase CEE. For the 745e, a 16A single-phase CEE socket delivers around 3.7 kW, filling the 12 kWh battery in approximately three and a half hours: a short and comfortable stop at any campsite, marina, or industrial site with a socket available. The Schuko portable charger delivers up to 2.3 kW from a standard household socket. For a battery this small, the Schuko is a genuinely practical everyday option: around five hours from near-empty gives a full battery, making it a reliable overnight solution at any property with standard power.

Every cable held to the same standard

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.