BMW i4 charging cable

The BMW i4 is what happens when BMW takes the 4 Series Gran Coupé silhouette and rebuilds it as a dedicated electric car, keeping the proportions, the low roofline, and the rear-biased driving feel while losing the combustion engine entirely. It launched in 2021 across four variants, all built on the same CLAR platform, all sharing the same right-rear CCS charging port and the same 11 kW three-phase onboard AC charger. The differences between them sit in battery size, drivetrain layout, and power output. The eDrive35 is the entry point: a 70.3 kWh gross battery with around 66–67 kWh usable, a single rear motor producing 210 kW, and DC fast charging up to 180 kW. On an 11 kW three-phase AC supply, a full charge takes around seven hours. The eDrive40 steps up to 83.9 kWh gross with 80.7 kWh usable, 250 kW from its single rear motor, and DC charging up to 205 kW, with a full AC charge taking approximately eight and a half hours at 11 kW. The xDrive40 shares the same 80.7 kWh usable battery as the eDrive40 but adds a front motor for all-wheel drive, raising combined output to 295 kW: same charging behaviour, different traction profile. At the top sits the M50, dual motors, 400 kW combined, 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and again the same 80.7 kWh usable pack and 205 kW DC capability. Across all four variants, AC charging at home is identical: 11 kW three-phase, and the same cable type regardless of which i4 you have.

Which cable does the BMW i4 need?

All i4 variants use a Type 2 connector for AC charging. A Voldt® Type 2 11 kW cable is the correct choice across the entire range, matching the onboard charger on all four variants and making full use of any three-phase 11 kW wallbox or public post. A 22 kW cable is a sensible upgrade for any i4 owner: it works at 11 kW on the current car without restriction and gives you a cable that remains relevant if you move to a vehicle with a higher-capacity charger later on.

The right-rear port position suits forward-entry bays naturally on all variants. For the eDrive35, with its smaller 66–67 kWh battery, cable reach is a smaller concern than on the three larger-battery variants, though getting the length right from the start avoids ever having to think about it. For the eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50, with 80.7 kWh to fill, a generous cable length is the sensible default. A 6-metre cable handles home installations where the wall box is mounted directly alongside the parking space. An 8-metre cable is the most practical all-round choice for the i4 range, comfortably covering most home layouts and the majority of public post positions without needing to reposition the car, and the length we would suggest as a starting point for most owners. A 10-metre cable gives additional reach at posts set back from the bay, wider parking spaces, or where the car parks with the port side away from the pillar. A 15-metre cable handles hotel car parks, long driveways, and wider bays without restriction, and is the right choice if you regularly charge in places where the geometry is unpredictable.

Portable charging on the road

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable is available up to 22 kW via three-phase CEE. On a standard 16A three-phase CEE socket, all i4 variants receive 11 kW. For the eDrive35, that fills the 66–67 kWh battery in around seven hours, a comfortable overnight stop at any campsite or marina with a three-phase supply. For the eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50, 11 kW covers the 80.7 kWh battery in approximately eight and a half hours: still within an overnight window, but arriving with some charge already in the battery makes a full top-up by morning reliable even if you plug in later in the evening. The Schuko portable charger delivers up to 3.7 kW from a standard household socket. For all i4 variants this is a slow but functional backup: the eDrive35's smaller battery is more tolerant of the pace, while the larger 80.7 kWh pack in the other variants will not fully charge overnight on a Schuko alone, making it best used for adding range when a proper charge point is not available rather than as a primary source.

Certified quality, every connection

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.