Updated
BMW iX1 / iX3 Home Charging: Complete UK Guide (2026)
BMW iX1 and iX3 Charging Specs
Both cars use a Type 2 connector for AC home charging. Anything on our comparison page pairs with them out of the box. The useful detail is the 11 kW onboard charger: it is three-phase capable, but on single-phase UK supply (what most homes have) it caps at 7 kW.
| Spec | BMW iX1 xDrive30 | BMW iX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 66.5 kWh | 80 kWh |
| Max AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Max on single-phase (UK) | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Real-world efficiency | ~3.3 mi/kWh | ~3.0 mi/kWh |
| 0-100% at 7 kW | ~9.5 hours | ~11.5 hours |
| 20-80% at 7 kW | ~5.5 hours | ~6.5 hours |
Three-phase homes can draw the full 11 kW; everyone else is at 7 kW, which is still enough for a full overnight on either car.
Charge Times at 7 kW
| Duration | kWh Added | iX1 Range | iX3 Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | 14 kWh | ~46 miles | ~42 miles |
| 4 hours | 28 kWh | ~92 miles | ~84 miles |
| 6 hours (off-peak) | 42 kWh | ~139 miles | ~126 miles |
| 8 hours (overnight) | 56 kWh | ~185 miles | ~168 miles |
The average UK commute is 20-30 miles. Even a 2-hour charge covers a typical day.
Best Home Chargers
Tesla Wall Connector — Best Value
Pairs cleanly with either BMW. £475 with a 10-year warranty.
Ohme Home Pro — Best for Smart Tariffs
Talks directly to Octopus tariffs and schedules itself to the cheapest slots. £535.
myenergi Zappi GLO — Best for Solar
Eco+ mode diverts surplus solar to the car at no grid cost.
See the full lineup on our charger comparison page.
Running Costs by Tariff (10,000 miles/year)
| Tariff | Rate | Annual Cost | Saving vs Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7p/kWh | £212 | £491 |
| Octopus Go | 8.5p/kWh | £258 | £445 |
| Standard variable | 24.5p/kWh | £703 | — |
| Petrol equivalent | — | £1,700 | — |
Installation
- Choose your charger from our comparison page
- Site survey — installer checks fuseboard, cable routing, and charger location
- Installation — 2-4 hours by a Part P certified electrician
- Total cost — typically £800-1,200
Full details in our installation guide or cost breakdown.
The Bottom Line
Both cars are straightforward at home: Type 2, any UK charger, full overnight on 7 kW. Get the tariff right and the annual fuel bill drops from around £1,700 to roughly £200.
Battery
66.5 kWh
Efficiency
3.4 mi/kWh
Max AC charge
11 kW
Range
~245 mi
Connector
Type 2
Charger picks
BMW iX1: 3 chargers we’d pick
Picked for the trade-offs that matter most when you’re buying for BMW iX1 specifically.
★ Best for BMW iX1
Ohme Ohme Home ProDirect API link to Octopus Intelligent Go and Agile means the iX1's 66.5 kWh battery fills overnight on the cheapest available slots without any manual scheduling.
- Price
- £535
- Power
- 7.4kW
IP66 and IK10 build — the toughest weather and impact rating in the round-up — suits the iX1's quality positioning; the CT clamp for solar is included and the 10-metre cable option resolves most awkward drives.
- Price
- £690
- Power
- 7.4kW
Three-phase output matches the iX1's 11 kW AC capability; the anodised aluminium finish and 10-year enclosure warranty fit a buyer who chose the premium-compact segment deliberately.
- Price
- £649
- Power
- 7kW / 22kW
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
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