What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupe?
Many owners buy an oversized 80-amp EV charger that wastes hundreds of dollars on capacity this car cannot handle. Your BMW i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupe draws up to 48 amps on Level 2 charging. Feeding it anything larger buys nothing. You need a 48-amp setup to charge from empty in 7.0 hours.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 11.0 kW (48 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 48 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 60 A |
| Outlet / connection | hardwired (a 48 A EVSE must be hardwired -- no household receptacle is rated for it) |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 7.0 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 39 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 54 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.1 miles |
| EPA rated range | 276 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 77.2 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
The onboard charger maxes out at 48 amps and 11.0 kilowatts. Buying a 50-amp or 80-amp unit changes nothing because the vehicle limits incoming current. Pushing more power past 48 amps trips breakers. Stick to the recommended 48 amps. You will add 39 miles of range every hour.
What the install involves
A 48-amp continuous load requires a 60-amp circuit breaker. You must hardwire the EVSE because no household receptacle handles 48 amps safely. Hire a licensed electrician for the wiring run and panel check. Never attempt a high-amp hardwire installation without verifying your home's total electrical load capacity.
Chargers that match this car
Energy monitoring built in. Hardwire it for the full 48 A.
Compact unit, good for tight garages.
Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Can I plug this car into a standard wall outlet?
- Yes, using Level 1 charging, but it takes 54 hours to reach a full charge. You only recover 5.1 miles of range per hour this way. Most drivers install a Level 2 circuit for daily use.
- What plug type does the car use?
- The car uses a J1772 connector for all AC Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this standard. Adapters are unnecessary for standard home units.
- Do I need a hardwired unit or a plug-in unit?
- You must hardwire a 48-amp EVSE because standard wall receptacles cannot sustain that amperage. A hardwired connection eliminates thermal failure points at the plug. Your electrician will wire the unit directly to the breaker.
- How long does a full charge take?
- A full charge takes 7.0 hours at the maximum Level 2 rate. The battery wall capacity is 77.2 kWh. You get 39 miles of range per hour.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupe (covering 2 EPA trim listings). Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.