BMW Phevs - Explaining the new BMW hybrid range

A BMW hybrid vehicle uses the eDrive system - a petrol engine and electric engine working together to reduce emissions and fuel consumption without restricting range.

The electric motor powers the car within certain speeds and ranges, then the conventional combustion petrol engine kicks in to ensure power and long-range performance remain available. New BMW eBoost technology means you can accelerate on electric power alone, reducing fuel consumption even when using the combustion engine.

All vehicles in the BMW PHEV family can be charged both at home and on the road. Using an optimised BMW Standard Charging Cable, you can charge from a domestic plug socket.

A standard home in the UK will offer 230-volt mains: that means the battery on board the BMW i3 would fully charge in up to 5 hours. For a more professional charging experience, the BMW iWallbox Connect home charging station integrates charging facilities with BMW’s signature technology and service features.

BMW hybrid cars can also be charged on the road, using a BMW ChargeNow service that’s available at almost 7,000 public charging points in the UK. Your BMW hybrid vehicle will lead you to a charging location using its on-board navigation system, where topping up energy is clear, convenient and cashless thanks to the ChargeNow card scheme.

BMW hybrid cars embody the excellence of BMW design with a more sustainable, future-proofed ethos.

The iPerformance range fuses unmistakable BMW looks with forward-thinking hybrid operation, so it’s as powerful as the avant-garde BMWi range but never looks out of place on the driveway.

Rather than compromising on style or precision to make room for dual-power systems, the BMW Plug-in Hybrid Range folds them into the very DNA of each vehicle in the range. Joining the PHEV range this year is the new BMW 3 Series, BMW X5 and BMW X3 Series models, both designed to skilfully accommodate a lithium-ion battery within the existing car layouts, and therefore retain a familiar BMW format that consistently delivers. 

You can already choose between the family-focused BMW 2 Series 225 XE Active Tourer, the industry-leading craftsmanship of the BMW 3 Series 330e, the executive luxury of the BMW 5 Series 530e, and the indisputable excellence of the BMW 7 Series 745e​.

Choose from the BMW i3 and i3s, the BMW i8 Coupé, and the BMW i8 Roadster. All are unmistakable in identity and efficiency, with the i8 models delivering sports car performance on compact car consumption.

The futuristic shape of the i8 Coupé sets it apart from its rivals, whilst the convertible i8 Roadster marries precise technical detailing with top-down luxury. Meanwhile, the BMWi3 and i3s are designed to perfectly complement urban living with efficiency, compactness and edgy aesthetics.

The BMW hybrid MPG (miles per gallon) varies between models: as an example, the new BMW 3 Series achieves up to 37 miles on electric power alone, reducing the need to fill up on petrol. An average home charge could cost around 5p per mile and, if you’re especially eco-minded, you can even achieve zero emissions on all-electric use by recharging with exclusively solar power.

What’s more, if you’re a business customer, you’ll benefit from choosing a BMW Plug-in Hybrid over a self-charging hybrid - where the petrol engine recuperates energy to charge the electric engine as you drive - because a PHEV earns lower company car tax.