What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 BMW i5 M60 Sedan?
Forty-eight amps is the magic number for the 2024 BMW i5 M60 Sedan. You need a 48-amp Level 2 charger to hit the maximum onboard AC intake of 11.0 kilowatts. This setup fills the 94.8-kilowatt-hour battery in 8.6 hours. Plug into a standard household outlet instead and you will wait 66 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 8.6 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 30 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 66 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 3.9 miles |
| EPA rated range | 256 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 94.8 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Your car accepts 48 amps because that matches the onboard charger limit. Buying a larger 60-amp or 80-amp home unit will not speed up your charge time at all. The vehicle cannot draw more than 11.0 kilowatts from a Level 2 source. Dropping down to a smaller 32-amp or 40-amp charger slows down your recovery time overnight. Stick to 48 amps to add 30 miles of range every single hour you are plugged in.
What the install involves
You need a dedicated 60-amp circuit paired with heavy copper wiring to handle this continuous load. Hardwiring is mandatory for a 48-amp EVSE because no standard household receptacle is rated to hold that much current safely. Do not attempt DIY work inside your main breaker panel. Call a licensed electrician to run the line, mount the unit, and pull the local permits.
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 use a standard wall outlet for Level 2 charging?
- No. A standard household outlet only delivers Level 1 power at 120 volts. Your car takes 66 hours to charge fully on Level 1.
- What connector does this car use?
- Your car uses a standard J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this exact plug.
- Why does the EPA charge time differ from the maximum rate?
- The EPA test does not always run at the car's peak AC rate. Real world charging at 48 amps takes 8.6 hours.
- Do I need a permit to install the circuit?
- Yes. Most local municipalities require an electrical permit for a new 60-amp home circuit. Your electrician will handle this paperwork.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 BMW i5 M60 Sedan (covering 3 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.