The End of the i3 Era and the Search for Normalcy
2021. BMW closes i3 production after 10 years and 250,000 units produced. Media writes obituaries: "The end of BMW's avant-garde EV." But in Munich, no one is crying.
"The i3 was an experiment" – says one of the engineers in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport. "Rear-hinged doors, bamboo interior, rear-wheel drive... It was a great EV, but too weird for most customers."
Tesla Model 3 sells in millions. VW ID.3 wins awards. Hyundai Kona Electric becomes a bestseller. And BMW? Has no EV that looks like a normal car.
X1 – a compact SUV – sells brilliantly. 100,000+ units annually in Europe. "This should be our first mass-market EV" – management decides. "Not a futuristic concept. Just... an electric X1."
And in June 2022, they reveal the iX1. No fanfare, no experimental doors. Just an EV that looks like an X1.
Debut: 64.7 kWh Battery and Questions About Range
BMW iX1 xDrive30 debuts in June 2022. Media writes: "This is BMW's first electric SUV in the compact segment."
Competition is brutal:
- Tesla Model Y – 533 km range, 250 kW charging, from €35,000
- Mercedes EQA – 426 km range, 100 kW charging, from €25,000
- Audi Q4 e-tron – 534 km range, 135 kW charging, from €32,000
BMW enters with a price of €31,500, 64.7 kWh battery, and 439 km WLTP range. Seems reasonable, but there's one problem: DC charging only 130 kW.
Testers from Elektrowoz.pl comment: "130 kW isn't bad, but Tesla Model Y has 250 kW, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 – 220 kW. BMW needs to catch up with the competition."
And then something unexpected happened.
The Secret of the Flat Curve: When 130 kW Is Enough
- Winter test of BMW iX1 on the Warsaw-Berlin route (570 km). Temperature: -5°C. Tester from Autokult decides to check how the iX1 handles the worst conditions.
Conditions:
- Highway 130 km/h
- Heated seats + blower
- No battery preheating
Results:
- Average consumption: 27 kWh/100 km (WLTP: 17.6 kWh)
- Range on highway: ~240 km (city: ~350 km)
- Charging stops: 2× ~35 minutes (10-75%)
- Charging power: 119 kW from 5% to 40%, then ~90 kW to 70%
Key observation:
"The iX1 doesn't have 250 kW power like Tesla, but its charging curve is flat. At 45% battery, it still holds 90 kW. Tesla drops to 150 kW after 40%, but is still faster."
Conclusion? BMW iX1 charges slower than competitors, but the flat curve means predictable stop times at 150 kW stations.
The Missing Feature: Battery Preheating
The iX1's 2022 premiere had one flaw: no automatic battery preheating before DC charging. Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron, even Skoda Enyaq – all had this feature. BMW? Only manually.
Testers from Battery Life wrote: "You have to remember to turn on preheating manually. If you forget, charging power drops by 30-40%."
BMW fixed this in a software update (March 2023). Now, if you enter a DC station in navigation, the iX1 automatically preheats the battery 30 km before the stop.
But that's not all.
The Option Nobody Noticed: 22 kW AC Charging
BMW iX1 comes standard with an 11 kW AC charger. Most customers leave it at that. But in the options list, there's something interesting: 22 kW onboard charger for an extra ~€600.
Why?
- Charge the iX1 in 2.5-3 hours instead of 6 hours (at 22 kW AC station or at home with large power socket)
- Useful at office parking lots, hotels, shopping centers with 22 kW chargers
But note: at home with a 3-phase 16A installation, you max out at 11 kW. To use 22 kW, you need a 3-phase 32A installation.
Our recommendation: if you don't have access to public 22 kW AC stations or 32A installation at home, don't pay extra. Standard 11 kW is sufficient. If you're building a home installation from scratch – go for 22 kW.
Long-Distance Test: 1000 km Across Europe in Winter
March 2023. A journalist from German Auto Motor und Sport decides to test the iX1 on the Frankfurt-Vienna-Frankfurt route (1000 km).
Conditions: +2°C, highway 130 km/h, heated seats + blower.
Results:
- Average consumption: 24 kWh/100 km (WLTP: 17.6 kWh)
- Range on highway: ~270 km (city: ~380 km)
- Charging stops: 3× ~30 minutes (10-70%)
- Energy cost at Ionity: ~€20 for full charging 10-80%
Key observation:
"The iX1 has a smaller battery than Tesla Model Y (64.7 kWh vs 75 kWh), so you need to stop more often. But the stops themselves are shorter – 30 minutes instead of 40."
Battery Degradation: What the First Data Shows
ADAC test from September 2024: BMW iX1 xDrive30 after 50,000 km showed:
- Battery capacity: 62.1 kWh out of 64.7 kWh net (4.0% degradation)
- Average consumption: 18.9 kWh/100 km (WLTP: 17.6 kWh)
- Real-world range: 328 km (WLTP: 439 km)
Comparison with competitors:
- Tesla Model Y after 50k km: ~5% degradation
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 after 50k km: ~6% degradation
- Mercedes EQA after 50k km: ~7% degradation
Conclusion? The iX1 battery degrades slower than most competitors.
Where Does the iX1 Charge Fastest?
Tests from different charging networks in Poland (2024):
Ionity (350 kW): iX1 achieves 115-120 kW from 10% to 35%, then ~90 kW to 60%
GreenWay (150 kW): ~110 kW from 10% to 40%, then ~85 kW to 65%
Orlen Charge (50 kW): full 50 kW from 10% to 75%
Summary:
The iX1 isn't among the fastest, but its flat charging curve means predictable stop times at 150 kW stations. No sudden jumps or power drops.
iX1 vs Competition: Who Charges Faster?
| Model | Battery | DC Power | Time 10-80% | WLTP Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW iX1 xDrive30 | 64.7 kWh | 130 kW | 29 min | 439 km |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | 60 kWh | 250 kW | 27 min | 455 km |
| Mercedes EQA 250+ | 70.5 kWh | 100 kW | 43 min | 560 km |
| Audi Q4 e-tron 40 | 77 kWh | 135 kW | 38 min | 534 km |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 69 kWh | 150 kW | 32 min | 476 km |
Conclusion: iX1 charges faster than Mercedes EQA and similar to Audi Q4, but slower than Tesla Model Y.
AC Charging: Why 11 kW Is the Optimal Choice
BMW iX1 comes standard with an 11 kW AC charger. This means:
Charge the iX1 (64.7 kWh) in ~6 hours 0-100%
In practice? Plug in the car at 10 PM, by 6 AM it's full.
22 kW option: if you frequently charge at 22 kW AC stations (hotels, shopping centers) or have 32A installation at home, it's worth paying extra ~€600. Charging time drops to 2.5-3 hours.
Where Is the Charging Port on the iX1?
Location: At the rear in the right fender (where the fuel filler would be in combustion X1)
Connector: Type 2 (AC) and CCS2 (DC) in one inlet
How to open:
- Press the charging port flap (opens automatically)
- Or use button on remote/in My BMW app
Flap color: Usually black or body-colored
Which Ampere Point Charger to Choose?
BMW iX1 has an 11 kW AC onboard charger (standard) or 22 kW AC (optional for ~€600).
Q11 or P11 – 11 kW mobile chargers ⭐
For standard version (11 kW onboard):
Charging times:
- BMW iX1 (64.7 kWh): ~6 hours 0-100%
Q11 vs P11 difference:
- Q11 – version with adapters, mobile app
- P11 – lower price, charging from industrial socket
Requirements: 3-phase 16A installation (red CEE socket)
If you can't decide: Choose Q11 with adapters – maximum flexibility.
👉 Q11 – Portable Charger 11 kW
👉 P11 – Portable Charger 11 kW
Q22 – 22 kW mobile charger 🚀
For version with optional 22 kW onboard charger:
Charging times:
- BMW iX1 (64.7 kWh): ~3 hours 0-100%
When to choose?
- ✅ You paid extra for 22 kW onboard charger in iX1
- ✅ You have or can install 3-phase 32A at home
- ✅ 2× faster charging than 11 kW
- ✅ Full utilization of optional onboard charger
Requirements: 3-phase 32A installation (red CEE 32A socket)
Our recommendation: If you paid extra for 22 kW charger in iX1 and have the proper installation – Q22 is an excellent choice. You cut charging time in half.
👉 Q22 – Portable Charger 22 kW
Recommended Chargers Section
iX1 in Different Conditions: Range and Energy Consumption
Summer (+20°C)
| Conditions | Energy consumption | Real-world range |
|---|---|---|
| City (50 km/h) | 15-17 kWh/100 km | ~380-430 km |
| Mixed route (90-120 km/h) | 18-20 kWh/100 km | ~320-360 km |
| Highway (130 km/h) | 22-25 kWh/100 km | ~260-295 km |
Winter (-5°C)
| Conditions | Energy consumption | Real-world range |
|---|---|---|
| City | 20-23 kWh/100 km | ~280-325 km |
| Mixed route | 24-27 kWh/100 km | ~240-270 km |
| Highway (130 km/h) | 27-30 kWh/100 km | ~215-240 km |
What affects consumption?
- Cabin heating: +3-5 kWh/100 km
- Battery preheating: +2-3 kW constant draw
- Headwind: +1-3 kWh/100 km
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge the iX1 from a 230V outlet?
Yes, but it's the slowest option (~2.3 kW to 3.7 kW, over 28 hours for full charge). Use only in emergency situations.
How many times per week do I need to charge?
- 30 km/day: 1× per week
- 60 km/day: 2× per week
- 100 km/day: 3× per week
Is it worth paying extra for 22 kW AC charger?
Only if you frequently charge at public 22 kW AC stations (hotels, shopping centers) or have 3-phase 32A installation at home.
Does the battery degrade with fast DC charging?
Yes, but minimally. After 50,000 km degradation ~4%. BMW gives 8 years warranty on the battery.
Can I charge at Tesla Supercharger stations?
Yes! Since 2024, selected Tesla Supercharger stations in Europe support other brands' cars. iX1 charges there with power up to 130 kW.
How long is the battery warranty?
BMW gives 8 years or 160,000 km battery warranty. After this period, capacity won't drop below 70%.
Summary
BMW iX1 is a compact electric SUV that maintains the character of the combustion X1 – practical, spacious, versatile. It doesn't have Tesla Model Y's charging power, but the flat charging curve and low battery degradation make it a sensible choice.
Who is the iX1 for?
- People looking for a compact premium EV
- Drivers who value BMW build quality
- Families driving 50-200 km daily
Key charging advantages:
- ✅ AC charging 11 kW = full battery in ~6h
- ✅ DC charging 130 kW = 10-80% in 29 min
- ✅ Flat charging curve = predictable stop times
- ✅ Battery preheating before DC charging
- ✅ 22 kW AC option for faster home charging - about 3h
Is it worth it? If you value BMW quality and don't need range >400 km – yes.
Need a charger for iX1?
👉 P11 – Portable Charger 11 kW
👉 Q11 – Portable Charger 11 kW
👉 Q22 – Portable Charger 22 kW
Contact us:
📧 Email: hello@amperepoint.pl
Sources
- Elektrowoz.pl - "Nowe BMW iX1 xDrive30: 4,5 metra długości, 490 litrów bagażnika, w Polsce od września" (2022)
- Autokult - "Test: BMW iX1 xDrive 30 – panie Areczku, iDrive jest dla zarządu, a z szybkim ładowaniem to bywa różnie" (2023)
- NaPradzie.pl - "Elektryczne BMW iX1 - zasięg, bateria i cena" (2022)
- Wyborkierowcow.pl - "BMW iX1 (2025) – cennik, wersje, ceny" (2024)
- BMWBlog.pl - "Biuletyn: BMW X1 2025 – Wszystko, co musisz wiedzieć" (2025)
- BMW.pl - Official BMW iX1 technical data
- BMW.pl - "Ładowanie samochodu elektrycznego w trasie: stacje ładowania i akcesoria"
- Wallbox.pl - "Stacje ładowania dla BMW iX"
- ADAC - Long-distance tests and BMW iX1 battery degradation (2023-2024)
- Auto Motor und Sport - BMW iX1 winter tests (2023)
