BMW i3 charging cable

The BMW i3 ran from 2013 to 2022: a carbon-fibre city car with rear-wheel drive, coach doors, and recycled interior materials that never looked or felt like anything else on the road. What changed across its lifetime was the battery, three times over, and that is the detail that matters most when choosing a charging cable. The CCS charging port sits on the right rear quarter panel on every i3 ever made.

Which i3 do you have?

The 60 Ah (2013–2016) carries a 22 kWh battery with 18.8 kWh usable and a 7.4 kW single-phase onboard charger. The 94 Ah (2016–2018) stepped up to 33 kWh with 27.2 kWh usable: most came with the same 7.4 kW single-phase charger, though some were factory-fitted with an optional 11 kW three-phase unit. The 120 Ah (2018–2022) carries 42 kWh with 37.9 kWh usable and 11 kW three-phase as standard.

Why a 22 kW cable works for every generation

A 22 kW Voldt® Type 2 charging cable is the right choice across the entire i3 range, and the logic is simpler than it looks. Two out of three generations (and the majority of the third) have a 7.4 kW single-phase charger that draws 32A. A 22 kW cable delivers those 32A. An 11 kW cable tops out at 16A, cutting those cars to 3.7 kW for no good reason.

The 120 Ah and optioned 94 Ah models with the 11 kW three-phase charger get full speed from either cable on a three-phase supply, but only the 22 kW cable also delivers 7.4 kW on single-phase wallboxes. One cable, no compromises, regardless of which i3 is on your driveway.

A 6-metre cable covers most home installations. An 8-metre cable is the most practical all-round choice. A 10-metre cable adds reach for awkward post positions. A 15-metre cable handles hotel car parks and wider bays.

Taking charge on the road

If you travel with a Voldt® portable charger, a single red CEE 32A unit covers every i3 generation. Plug into a three-phase supply and the car sorts itself out: 7.4 kW on the single-phase models, 11 kW on the three-phase ones, no settings to change, no guesswork.

At campsites, marinas, and holiday parks, the blue 16A CEE sockets you will find across Europe deliver 3.7 kW. That is enough for a solid overnight top-up on any i3, and on the smaller-battery 60 Ah it is closer to a full charge by morning. A standard three-pin socket delivers up to 2.8 kW, within the limits of what your wiring can sustain. A built-in thermal sensor keeps an eye on the connection temperature and dials the current back if needed, so there is nothing to monitor yourself.

Built for long-term reliability

Voldt® charging cables are CE, UKCA and TÜV certified and built to 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.