BMW iX1 Running Costs UK 2026
xDrive30
Last updated: July 2026
Cost per mile
7.7p
home 26.1p/kWh
Annual (10k mi)
£1079
80% home
Real-world range
215 mi
WLTP: 272 mi
Peak DC charge
130kW
CCS
The iX1 is BMW's smallest electric SUV, positioned against the Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes EQA. The xDrive30 AWD variant uses two motors for 313bhp and a 0–62 time of 5.6 seconds. Practicality is reasonable for the class, though 215 miles of real-world range means drivers will need to plan longer trips carefully.
Running costs: BMW iX1
3.4 miles per kWh puts running costs at approximately 7.7p per mile on the current home tariff. The petrol X1 sDrive20i at around 38 MPG costs 18.4p per mile at July 2026 prices — the iX1 saves approximately 10.7p per mile, or £1,070 per year at 10,000 miles. The shorter real-world range means more frequent charging stops on long journeys, which may mean occasional expensive public charging top-ups that affect the annual saving.
| Annual mileage | 100% home (26.1p) | 80% home / 20% public | 50/50 split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £614 | £863 | £1236 |
| 10,000 miles | £768 | £1079 | £1546 |
| 12,000 miles | £921 | £1295 | £1855 |
| 15,000 miles | £1151 | £1618 | £2318 |
| 20,000 miles | £1535 | £2158 | £3091 |
Public charging rate: 79p/kWh. Costs calculated on real-world efficiency of 3.4 mi/kWh.
Charging
130kW peak DC charging is the notable limitation — below the 170kW+ of the Ioniq 5, EV6, and i4. A 10–80% charge takes approximately 29 minutes. The smaller 64.7kWh battery does keep the absolute charge time reasonable. AC home charging at 11kW.
Battery capacity
64.7 kWh
Peak DC charge
130kW
Charge port
CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC)
Efficiency
3.4 mi/kWh
Key fact
The iX1's real-world range of around 215 miles means it suits a 'charge every night' home-charging model better than long-distance EV travel.
Who is the iX1 best suited for?
Best for
- ✓BMW brand loyalty in compact SUV segment
- ✓Mixed urban and motorway driving
- ✓Those comparing against Audi Q4 e-tron, Mercedes EQA
Less ideal for
- !Long-distance regular driving (shorter range, slower charging than segment leaders)
- !Efficiency-priority buyers (the i4 is more efficient in BMW's own lineup)
- !Those who find £49,000 difficult to justify for a compact SUV
Compare against your current car
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iX1 head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does the BMW iX1 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 iX1 costs approximately 7.7p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at 7p/kWh, this drops to 2.1p per mile.
What is the real-world range of the BMW iX1?
The BMW iX1 has a real-world range of approximately 215 miles in typical UK mixed driving conditions. The official WLTP figure is 272 miles, which is measured under standardised test conditions and is typically higher than real-world performance.
How fast does the BMW iX1 charge?
The BMW iX1 supports up to 130kW 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 iX1 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 iX1 costs approximately £1079 per year in electricity.