Date: Jan 12, 2024
BMW has been a leader in the electrification of its new vehicles ever since the technology came to the forefront for automakers. The engineering behind these high-performance EVs continues with four main models in the lineup, like a BMW iX, BMW i4, BMW i5, and BMW i7, all of which offer between 250 and 300 miles on a single charge. They’re perfect for daily drives in Lawrence, weekly errands, and weekend getaways to your favorite Catskills or Poconos resort.
Before heading on your next driving adventure in an EV, you’ll need to know about the types of EV charging connectors to get the most out of your driving experience. Learn more with our complete EV charging connector guide before you put a world-class EV in your Trenton driveway.
Take advantage of three different EV charging levels for your BMW, which we’ll discuss first in this EV charging connector guide. All of these charging levels utilize a different type of EV charging connector.
A standard, grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet (LBMW i4el 1 Charging) is the slowest type of charging in your home. You could charge an EV in 24 to 48 hours using Level 1. It’s great for topping off your battery that’s 10 to 20 percent depleted, but not for fully charging it after a long trip.
Level 2 charging is faster than Level 1. It requires a licensed electrician to professionally install the charging device in your garage or carport. A Level 2 charging box can fully charge your EV in 8 to 12 hours from nearly empty, depending on the size of the battery in your vehicle.
Also known as DC Fast Charging, this specialized system delivers electricity quickly to reach 80% capacity from 10 percent in as little as 30 minutes. Due to the high-powered electrical requirements, this type of charging is not available for residences.
To get the most out of your BMW EV ownership, we highly recommend having a home EV charging box installed in your garage or carport. This type of EV charging connector has five pins (instead of three prongs) designed to charge your EV at home overnight while you sleep. The cable and installation allow higher amounts of electricity to flow compared to a standard outlet.
Find a reputable, licensed electrician to install this type of charging connector in your Hamilton garage. Some manufacturers, like BMW, offer incentives to install this charger at home to purchase the box itself. Although you’ll have this initial expense, the Level 2 home charger is still much cheaper than gas and you’ll recoup your investment at some point.
A CCS connection is what’s found at DC Fast Public Charging stations around NJ. These types of EV charging connectors work with many makes of EVs, including BMW. You can find public stations with CCS chargers using your vehicle’s GPS or apps on your smartphone. A CCS public charging station offers two additional pins (seven pins total) to quickly give your EV battery the jolt it needs to charge in a short amount of time.
Your chosen EV automaker will determine the correct types of EV charging connectors you need to use for the best results. Some brands have specialized DC Public Charging stations that can’t be used with other vehicles. A few automakers like BMW offer free public charging for a year or two as an incentive to purchase one of these new vehicles. BMW’s network is Electrify America.
Many automakers have relationships with home charging station manufacturers to ensure you get the best experience. You’ll need a BMW Wallbox for a BMW EV. This offers a safe and reliable system for charging your new vehicle.
Consider how you will drive your new BMW. Are you traveling far from home where you need public charging stations? Do you commute a lot within a few miles of your Hamilton home? Remember that DC Fast Charging will likely be more expensive than home charging, but those stations are still less expensive than gas prices in NJ.
Ready to leave gas prices and carbon emissions behind? Our EV charging connector guide is just the beginning of your research into a luxury EV purchase. Contact us, call (844) 470-4727, or schedule a test drive with our team to experience one of these beautiful EVs at your convenience.
