BMW i5 Charging cable

The BMW i5 is the fully electric version of the G60 5 Series, launched in 2023 across three variants sharing the same 84.4 kWh battery pack with 81.2 kWh usable. The entry-level eDrive40 drives the rear wheels with a single 250 kW motor, covering up to 361 miles in the WLTP cycle for the saloon and 348 miles for the Touring estate, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.0 seconds. The xDrive40 adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and 290 kW combined, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds with a WLTP range of up to 334 miles. The M60 xDrive sits at the top with 442 kW and 820 Nm across two high-output motors, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and covering up to 320 miles in the WLTP cycle. All three variants are available as saloon; the Touring estate is offered in eDrive40 and M60 configurations.

DC rapid charging runs at up to 205 kW on all variants via CCS, taking the battery from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes on a compatible rapid charger, and adding roughly 93 miles of range in 10 minutes at peak rates. The i5 also supports battery preheating via navigation, conditioning the pack to its optimal temperature before arrival at a DC station to maintain peak charge rates throughout the stop. For AC charging, the standard onboard charger is rated at 11 kW three-phase, with an optional 22 kW charger available on all variants. At 11 kW a full charge from near-empty takes approximately seven and a half hours; at 22 kW that drops to around hours. The Type 2 charging port and CCS inlet are located on the right region flank, shared across every i5 variant and body style.

Cable for the BMW i5

The i5 uses a Type 2 connector for AC charging across all variants, so a Voldt® Type 2 charging cable is the correct choice for eDrive40, xDrive40, and M60 alike. The standard 11 kW onboard charger takes an 11 kW three-phase cable. If your i5 was specified with the optional 22 kW charger, a 22 kW cable reduces a full charge to around four hours, a meaningful difference with an 81.2 kWh battery. At this battery size, charger and cable choice have a genuine impact on daily charging convenience: the step from 11 kW to 22 kW saves three and a half hours on every full charge.

The right-rear port position suits reverse-in bays naturally, placing the port directly adjacent to the post without the cable needing to run along the car's full length. For forward-pull-in bays, an 8-metre cable covers the distance comfortably in most layouts without repositioning the car. A 10-metre cable removes even that consideration entirely and is the most practical all-round length for the i5, particularly for the longer Touring body style where the port is that much further from a forward-positioned charge point.

On-road rapid charging

At 205 kW DC, the i5 is among the faster-charging executive saloons in its class. On a high-power charger, 10 minutes of charging adds around 93 miles of range, and the full 10 to 80% window completes in roughly 30 minutes. For longer journeys, the route-based battery preheating system activates automatically when a DC charge stop is entered in the navigation, so the battery arrives at operating temperature and holds its peak charge rate from the moment the cable connects rather than ramping up slowly from cold.

Portable charging for the BMW i5

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable connects to industrial sockets and is available up to 22 kW via three-phase CEE. A 16A three-phase CEE socket delivers 11 kW to the i5's standard charger, adding roughly 34 miles of range per hour. A 32A three-phase CEE socket delivers the full 22 kW to i5s with the optional charger, adding around 68 miles per hour. With 81.2 kWh to fill, access to a 22 kW CEE socket at an overnight stop makes a practical difference to the morning's available range. The Schuko portable charger at 2.3 kW is not a realistic primary charging option for the i5: a full charge from near-empty would take over 35 hours. It serves as an emergency range extender or for adding a short stretch during a very long overnight stop, and should not be relied upon for regular use.

Built to the same standard as every Voldt® cable

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.