What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 BMW i7 M70 Sedan?
Forty-eight amps is the magic number for your BMW i7 M70 Sedan. This car accepts a maximum AC charge rate of 11.0 kW on a Level 2 setup. You need a 48 amp charging unit to pull that maximum speed.
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 11.0 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 26 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 84 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 3.5 miles |
| EPA rated range | 291 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 120.8 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Your battery holds 120.8 kWh of energy. Feeding it at 48 amps replenishes the pack from empty in 11.0 hours, adding 26 miles of range every single hour. Buying a larger charging unit will not speed up your sessions. The onboard charger caps the intake at 48 amps regardless of how much juice the wall unit can deliver. Going smaller only adds hours to your overnight wait times without saving you any money on hardware longevity.
What the install involves
You need a dedicated 60 amp breaker to feed this setup safely. This specific amperage requires hardwiring because no standard household receptacle can handle a continuous 48 amp load. Hire a licensed electrician to run heavy gauge copper wire from your main electrical panel to the mounting location. Do not attempt a DIY install on a 60 amp circuit unless you possess formal training and local permit clearance.
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, but Level 1 charging takes 84 hours to fill the battery from empty. You get a paltry 3.5 miles of range per hour of charging.
- What plug type does the car use?
- The vehicle uses a J1772 connector for all standard home Level 2 charging sessions. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 relies on this plug.
- Do I need a 60 amp breaker for a 48 amp charger?
- National electrical codes mandate a 125 percent safety margin for continuous loads. That rule means a 48 amp continuous draw requires a 60 amp overcurrent protection device.
- How much range do I get per hour on Level 2?
- You add 26 miles of range for every hour the car stays plugged into a properly rated Level 2 charger. A full charge from zero takes 11.0 hours.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 BMW i7 M70 Sedan (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.