What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2022 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe?
The 2022 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe needs a 48 amp Level 2 charger to hit its maximum AC intake rate of 11.0 kW. Charging speed tops out right there because the onboard charger has a 48 amp limit. You will replenish the 95.1 kWh battery from empty in 8.6 hours. The EPA test measures a 10.0 hour charge time at 27 miles of range per hour because standard federal test procedures do not always run at the car's peak AC rate.
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 8.6 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 31 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 66 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.1 miles |
| EPA rated range | 270 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 95.1 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Buying a 50 amp or 60 amp charger provides zero speed gains because the car cannot draw past 48 amps. Feeding it fewer amps slows down the refill rate. Level 1 charging takes 66 hours for a complete cycle, which is far too slow for daily driving needs. Sticking to a 48 amp supply matches the onboard hardware limit. Going larger wastes money on equipment the car ignores.
What the install involves
A 48 amp continuous load requires a 60 amp breaker and heavy-gauge copper wiring. Hardwiring is mandatory because no household receptacle safely handles 48 continuous amps. Call an electrician to inspect your main service panel and run the line. Do not attempt DIY on a 60 amp circuit unless you hold a license.
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
- What connector does this car use?
- It uses a J1772 connector for standard AC Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this same plug.
- How many miles of range do I get per hour?
- You add 31 miles of range for every hour plugged into a Level 2 source. Level 1 gear yields only 4.1 miles per hour.
- Can I plug this into a regular wall outlet?
- No standard household outlet supports 48 amps. You need a dedicated hardwired circuit.
- What is the total battery capacity?
- The pack holds 95.1 kWh of energy. The car delivers 270 miles of total range on a full charge.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2022 BMW i4 M50 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.