BMW iX xDrive charging cable

The BMW iX is one body, three powertrains, and two battery sizes: a structure that makes it easier to choose between variants than the naming might suggest. The xDrive40, xDrive50, and M60 all share the same large-format SUV platform, the same right-rear CCS charging port, and the same 11 kW three-phase onboard AC charger as standard, with an optional 22 kW charger available across the entire range. Where they diverge is in battery capacity, power output, and DC charging speed.

The xDrive40 carries a 76.6 kWh gross battery with 71.0 kWh usable, 240 kW of combined output from its dual motors, and DC fast charging up to 150 kW, covering 10–80% in around 31 minutes. On the standard 11 kW AC charger, a full charge takes just under eight hours. The xDrive50 steps up to 111.5 kWh gross with 105.2 kWh usable, 385 kW of output, and DC charging up to 195 kW, with a 10–80% time of around 35 minutes and a full AC charge taking approximately nine and a half hours at 11 kW. The M60 shares the xDrive50's battery, but pushes output to 455 kW with 1,100 Nm available via Launch Control, an M-specific suspension tune, and a higher top speed of 250 km/h. AC charging behaviour is identical to the xDrive50: 11 kW standard, full charge in around nine and a half hours, with the 22 kW option available for both. In everyday use, xDrive50 and M60 owners choosing between the two variants are choosing between character, not charging convenience.

Which cable fits the BMW iX?

All three iX variants use a Type 2 connector for AC charging, so a Voldt® Type 2 charging cable is the right choice across the range. The correct rating depends on which charger your car has.

For xDrive40, xDrive50, and M60 models with the standard 11 kW onboard charger, a Voldt® 11 kW cable is the right match, making full use of any three-phase 11 kW wallbox or public post. A 22 kW cable works equally well at 11 kW and is worth specifying if you anticipate moving to a higher-capacity vehicle in the future, or simply want the most versatile cable available.

Owners who have specified the optional 22 kW charger, available on all three variants, should use a Voldt® 22 kW cable to take full advantage of it. Running a 22 kW charger through an 11 kW cable limits the session to 11 kW regardless of what the wallbox delivers. If you are unsure which charger is fitted, the onboard charging display shows the live rate during any session, and the original order specification confirms it.

The right-rear port position means reversing into a bay puts the connector closest to the charge point on all three models. For the xDrive40 with its 71.0 kWh battery, cable reach is a smaller concern than on the larger-battery variants, though getting it right from the start is still worthwhile. For the xDrive50 and M60, with 105.2 kWh to fill, the right cable length makes a genuine difference to how friction-free daily charging feels. A 6-metre cable handles home installations where the wallbox is mounted close to the parking space. An 8-metre cable is the most practical all-round choice for the entire iX range, covering most home layouts and the majority of public post positions without having to reposition the car. A 10-metre cable gives meaningful extra reach at posts set back from the bay, or where the parking position leaves the port side facing away from the pillar. A 15-metre cable handles hotel car parks, long driveways, wider bays, and any charging situation where distance or layout would otherwise require awkward manoeuvring.

Away from home

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable is available in models up to 22 kW via three-phase CEE. For all three iX variants, a 32A three-phase red CEE socket delivers the full 11 kW with the standard charger. For the xDrive40, that fills the 71.0 kWh battery in just under eight hours. For the xDrive50 and M60, 11 kW covers the 105.2 kWh battery in around nine and a half hours, which fits within an overnight window but leaves less margin: arriving early in the evening makes a full charge by morning reliable. Campsites and marinas across Europe typically provide blue single-phase 16A CEE sockets, which cap out at 3.7 kW, making them better suited to a partial top-up than a full overnight charge on any iX variant. Owners with the 22 kW charger fitted can take advantage of 32A three-phase CEE sockets where available, cutting charge times roughly in half across all variants. Where only a standard household socket is available, the Schuko portable charger delivers a safe 2.3 kW. For the xDrive40 this adds a useful slice of range during an extended stop; for the xDrive50 and M60 it is best treated as an emergency option rather than a primary solution, given the battery sizes involved.

Built to the same standard as the car

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.