BMW i4 Running Costs UK 2026
eDrive40 Gran Coupé
Last updated: July 2026
Cost per mile
7.3p
home 26.1p/kWh
Annual (10k mi)
£1019
80% home
Real-world range
295 mi
WLTP: 365 mi
Peak DC charge
205kW
CCS
BMW built the i4 to prove that EVs don't have to compromise on driver engagement. It shares its body with the 4 Series Gran Coupé, and the eDrive40's rear-wheel drive setup gives it a genuinely rewarding driving character. The interior is premium, the 3-screen iDrive setup is now genuinely usable, and 295 miles of real-world range handles most UK usage patterns comfortably.
Running costs: BMW i4
At 3.6 miles per kWh the i4 costs around 7.3p per mile on the current home tariff. The 5 Series 520i it most directly replaces costs around 18.4p per mile at 38 MPG (July 2026 prices) — a saving of approximately 11.1p per mile. At 15,000 miles per year — a typical company car mileage — the annual running cost saving exceeds £1,650. The i4 is one of the stronger cases for EV on pure running cost grounds when comparing to premium petrol equivalents.
| Annual mileage | 100% home (26.1p) | 80% home / 20% public | 50/50 split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £580 | £815 | £1168 |
| 10,000 miles | £725 | £1019 | £1460 |
| 12,000 miles | £870 | £1223 | £1752 |
| 15,000 miles | £1088 | £1528 | £2190 |
| 20,000 miles | £1450 | £2038 | £2919 |
Public charging rate: 79p/kWh. Costs calculated on real-world efficiency of 3.6 mi/kWh.
Charging
205kW peak DC charging is class-competitive. A 10–80% charge takes around 31 minutes on a compatible rapid charger. AC home charging at up to 22kW (requires 3-phase supply — most UK homes are single-phase at 7.4kW).
Battery capacity
80.7 kWh
Peak DC charge
205kW
Charge port
CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC)
Efficiency
3.6 mi/kWh
Key fact
As a company car, the BMW i4 incurs 2% Benefit in Kind tax — versus 25%+ for a petrol equivalent — saving high-rate taxpayers over £3,000 per year.
Who is the i4 best suited for?
Best for
- ✓BMW 3/4 Series drivers considering the EV switch
- ✓Company car drivers (BIK rate of 2%)
- ✓High mileage drivers wanting a premium experience
- ✓Motorway commuters
Less ideal for
- !Those who find the 4 Series Gran Coupé too low for easy entry/exit
- !Pure city driving where the premium purchase cost is harder to justify
- !Buyers primarily motivated by lowest possible purchase price
Compare against your current car
Enter your mileage, charging habits, and fuel cost to see exactly what switching to the i4 would save you.
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i4 head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does the BMW i4 cost per mile in the UK?
At a standard home tariff of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap rate for July–September 2026), the BMW i4 costs approximately 7.3p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at 7p/kWh, this drops to 1.9p per mile.
What is the real-world range of the BMW i4?
The BMW i4 has a real-world range of approximately 295 miles in typical UK mixed driving conditions. The official WLTP figure is 365 miles, which is measured under standardised test conditions and is typically higher than real-world performance.
How fast does the BMW i4 charge?
The BMW i4 supports up to 205kW DC fast charging via CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC). AC home charging is also supported. The charge time from 10–80% varies depending on the available charger speed.
How much does it cost to run a BMW i4 per year in the UK?
At 10,000 miles per year and 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) with 20% public charging (79p/kWh), the BMW i4 costs approximately £1019 per year in electricity.