BMW i3 Battery Health Calculator
Calculate your BMW i3's remaining battery capacity and check it against original specifications.
BMW i3 — At a Glance
Battery Capacity
18.8–37.9 kWh
Chemistry
NMC
WLTP Range
80–190 mi
Real-World Range
65–160 mi
Max DC Charging
50 kW
10–80% DC Time
~42 min
Power
170 bhp (125 kW)
0–62 mph
7.3s
Kerb Weight
1,245 kg
Thermal Mgmt
Passive
On Sale Since
2014
Variants
3 (2014–2021)
Enter your BMW i3 energy data below to calculate your battery's current health.
Your readings
- 1
From the on-screen energy app — a recent average is fine.
- 2
The range your car is estimating right now.
- 3
The battery percentage shown on the display.
Your vehicle
Battery health
35.7 kWh usable of 38 kWh when new · 5.8% capacity lost
Healthy — typical for a well-kept i3. Add your odometer to compare against the fleet.
Add your odometer above to see how you compare to the fleet.
i3 estimated average
These curves are aggregated, owner-reported degradation data — not official manufacturer figures. Your own result above is the number that matters.
Wh/mi or Wh/km
Swipe left on the curved display to the "Efficiency" widget — tap it for a bar chart showing kWh/100 km split by Climate, Drivetrain and Auxiliaries. Or go to "My Car" → "Trip Info" for average consumption per trip. On the i3, use the iDrive controller: "Vehicle Info" → "Trip Computer" → "Consumption".
Estimated Range
Always shown in the instrument cluster next to the battery gauge. On iDrive 8+ models you can also tap the battery icon on the home screen for a range map adjusted to terrain and driving style.
Battery Percentage
Visible in the instrument cluster beside the battery gauge. Tap the battery icon on the home screen for exact percentage and charging status. If you see range instead of %, go to "My Car" → "Settings" → "Units" and switch to percentage.
BMW i3 battery degradation — what to expect
3 variants
In our database
We track 3 variants of the BMW i3 with usable capacity data for each.
18.8–37.9 kWh
Capacity range
Usable battery capacity varies by trim and model year — from 18.8 to 37.9 kWh.
8 years
Typical warranty
Most EV manufacturers offer an 8-year battery warranty with a minimum capacity retention guarantee.
Battery degradation varies by chemistry, climate, charging habits, and usage patterns. Use the calculator above to check your BMW i3's current capacity against its original specification.
BMW i3 battery capacity by variant
These are the usable (not gross) capacity figures used by our calculator.
| Variant | Years | Capacity (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Ah | 2014-2017 | 18.8 |
| 94 Ah | 2017-2018 | 27.2 |
| 120 Ah | 2019-2021 | 37.9 |
Values may vary slightly by market, software version, and production batch.
About the BMW i3
The BMW i3 was one of the first premium EVs when it launched in 2014, and it remains a remarkable piece of engineering. Its carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell was a genuine first for a mass-production car, keeping weight impressively low at just 1,245 kg despite its battery pack. The i3 went through three battery generations: the original 60 Ah (18.8 kWh) offered a modest 80 miles of range, the 94 Ah (27.2 kWh) extended that to around 120 miles, and the final 120 Ah (37.9 kWh) version pushed real-world range close to 160 miles.
The biggest limitation is thermal management. Early models used passive air cooling for the battery, which can lead to faster degradation in hot climates and restricts DC charging to just 50 kW. Later models improved the cooling system but it was never as robust as the liquid-cooled competitors. Despite this, many i3 batteries have held up well thanks to conservative battery management software.
The i3's quirky styling and coach-style rear doors divided opinion, but its tight turning circle and nimble handling made it superb around town. Production ended in 2021, making it a used-only proposition now. For city driving, it remains a clever, lightweight, and characterful EV.
What the press thinks
The i3 earned praise for its innovative construction and city-friendly driving dynamics but was consistently criticised for limited range and slow DC charging. The final 120 Ah version addressed the worst range anxiety, though it still fell behind newer competitors.
BMW i3 — Frequently Asked Questions
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