What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe?
Many home chargers deliver more power than this BMW can handle. Your car pulls 48 amps max on Level 2 equipment. Buying a bigger charger wastes money because the car limits the intake anyway.
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 8.5 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 36 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 65 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.7 miles |
| EPA rated range | 301 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 93.1 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Matching the 48-amp onboard charger requires a 60-amp circuit. Plug in a 50-amp charger or higher, and the vehicle still draws only its limit of 48 amps. Charging from empty takes 8.5 hours at this rate. You gain 36 miles of range for every hour plugged in. Pushing past this speed demands DC fast charging.
What the install involves
Hardwiring is mandatory for a 48-amp draw because no household receptacle handles that continuous load safely. A 60-amp breaker protects the supply wiring. Hire a licensed electrician to run the heavy-gauge wire from your main panel to the wall unit. Do not attempt DIY on high-amperage AC lines unless you hold a current electrical 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 the car use?
- The i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe uses a standard J1772 connector for all AC Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this exact plug format.
- Can I plug this into a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging on a standard household outlet takes 65 hours for a full refill. That standard outlet yields only 4.7 miles of range per hour.
- What does the EPA charge time mean?
- The EPA lists an 8.0-hour charge time because federal testing conditions differ slightly from real-world battery depletion. It calculates out to 38 miles of range per hour under those specific test parameters.
- Which units fit this car?
- The Emporia Level 2 EV Charger 48A and the Lectron V-Box 48A both supply the maximum current. The ChargePoint Home Flex also works well since its app lets you adjust amperage down to match panel limits.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 BMW i4 eDrive40 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.