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BMW iX1 Running Costs UK 2026

xDrive30

Last updated: June 2026

Cost per mile

8.2p

home 28p/kWh

Annual (10k mi)

£1012

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 8.2p per mile on a standard home tariff. The petrol X1 sDrive20i at around 38 MPG costs 17.2p per mile — the iX1 saves approximately £9 per mile, or £900 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 mileage100% home (28p)80% home / 20% public50/50 split
8,000 miles£659£809£1035
10,000 miles£824£1012£1294
12,000 miles£988£1214£1553
15,000 miles£1235£1518£1941
20,000 miles£1647£2024£2588

Public charging rate: 60p/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

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Frequently asked questions

How much does the BMW iX1 cost per mile in the UK?

At a standard home tariff of 28p/kWh, the BMW iX1 costs approximately 8.2p 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 (28p/kWh) with 20% public charging (60p/kWh), the BMW iX1 costs approximately £1012 per year in electricity.