[Magicrat]

Right now we charge for free at EA. However, when we someday pay, the charge per kWh is 1/3 more for 350 vs 150 kW. So consider how much time is saved.

Are you sure about that? I don't recall seeing different charges when I plugged into some EA chargers, but I could be wrong. I do know that some states charge by the minute instead of by kWh, so maybe those are separate rates for 350 and 150kW chargers.

 

[VolM]

Hmmm............ Interesting. I'd have to compare the charging curve on the i4 to see where it lines up with the Ionic 5 and e-Tron. Has anyone published a charging curve for the i4?

See the YouTube channel of Björn Nyland with a recent comparison of the charging curves of the Mercede EQE, EQS, BMW i4 and the Audi E-tron GT.

 

[gsbaker]

Are you sure about that? I don't recall seeing different charges when I plugged into some EA chargers, but I could be wrong. I do know that some states charge by the minute instead of by kWh, so maybe those are separate rates for 350 and 150kW chargers.

Hi Magicrat!

You got me. I was mistaken when I read the rates on my charging session. EA shows what they charged before deducting the BMW discount.

Looking at my charging history, I saw two times when I got exactly 43.0 kWh of charge. I misread that as the charging cost of $0.43 per kWh. Those were my first two charges and I don't know how I used exactly 43 both times.

The third time I got 36 kWh on a 150 kWh charger and read that as $.36 per kWh.

Sorry for indulging in and causing false impressions.

EA is converting to kWh charging in all states, regardless of the charging speed.

It will still cost $.31 with the membership plan.

 

[Magicrat]

Hi Magicrat!

You got me. I was mistaken when I read the rates on my charging session. EA shows what they charged before deducting the BMW discount.

Looking at my charging history, I saw two times when I got exactly 43.0 kWh of charge. I misread that as the charging cost of $0.43 per kWh. Those were my first two charges and I don't know how I used exactly 43 both times.

The third time I got 36 kWh on a 150 kWh charger and read that as $.36 per kWh.

Sorry for indulging in and causing false impressions.

EA is converting to kWh charging in all states, regardless of the charging speed.

It will still cost $.31 with the membership plan.

I'm glad EA is changing to kWh pricing, I believe it's more fair. I went for the membership plan when I got my Volvo EV for the spring/summer when I do most of my long distance driving and it saves a lot of cash. Now with the free 30 minute charging EA is giving us, it will be even cheaper to road trip the car. YAY!!!!

 

[Sander Spilleman]

I'm glad EA is changing to kWh pricing

Its more fair, sure, but charging per minute will make sure people wont leave their cars on the chargers after them being full AND will prevent EV drivers connecting their EV's to a charger that delivers more power than their car can handle (assuming minute price is lower for chargers delivering less power of course).

 

[cruzer666]

Hi everybody, what are the best tips and tricks to maximize life expectancy of the i4 battery?

The first tip is in the manual of the i4: set charge goal at 80%.

Does anyone have tips that maximize battery life like:

• Charge frequency? (Often and small charge quantity or fewer times and large charge quantity)
• Slow/fast charging? (11KW vs 150-200KW?)
• etc...

In addition to what BMW says in the manual, Kia has some good, easy to follow advice when it comes to extending the life of the high voltage lithium battery: How to extend EV battery life? | Kia British Dominica
Point 4. Does not apply to BMW.

 

[Masque]

Its more fair, sure, but charging per minute will make sure people wont leave their cars on the chargers after them being full AND will prevent EV drivers connecting their EV's to a charger that delivers more power than their car can handle (assuming minute price is lower for chargers delivering less power of course).

There's a per-minute charge -after- the car finishes charging (with a ten-minute grace period) in busy markets/times.

 

[captainrewind]

In the BMW i3 there was a secret menu (without using an OBD) in which one could read-out the maximum battery capacity.

Does anyone know whether there is such a menu in the i4, including a description of it?

This. I need this!

My range has been pretty terrible the entire time I've had the i4 (4 months), even when on the highway and hypermiling, and I'd like to know why. On one trip, I didn't even notice anything between 83% down to 60%. It didn't take very long to discharge that, maybe 10-15 minutes. I feel like my battery may already be on the decline since day 1. I've never gotten even close to the advertised range, and not even what I had estimated after having it for 3 weeks.

I always charge L2 @240V and anywhere from 16A-32A. I've only used DCFC once, and it was on Day 2.

 

[cruzer666]

This. I need this!

My range has been pretty terrible the entire time I've had the i4 (4 months), even when on the highway and hypermiling, and I'd like to know why. On one trip, I didn't even notice anything between 83% down to 60%. It didn't take very long to discharge that, maybe 10-15 minutes. I feel like my battery may already be on the decline since day 1. I've never gotten even close to the advertised range, and not even what I had estimated after having it for 3 weeks.

I always charge L2 @240V and anywhere from 16A-32A. I've only used DCFC once, and it was on Day 2.

Did you read this thread ? Recommendations to understand Range and Consumption

It’s a good place to start, and should clear some confusion on the range issue. The only two things I’ll add is 1, the drop from 83% to 60% in 10-15 minutes is concerning if accurate. Might want to charge to 100% once to allow the HV battery to rebalance the cells, and see if that helps and 2, might want to request a “CarData” after the 100% charge to see what the BMS thinks the battery capacity is. We have a thread on that too.

 

[gsbaker]

Fast charging should not be done on a frequent basis if battery longevity is your concern. Occasional fast charging on trips is fine, but don't do it on a regular basis. This could be a real temptation if you live near a fast charger, since BMW-USA gives you 2 years of daily 30 minute charging. Resist!

 

[ssh]

This. I need this!

My range has been pretty terrible the entire time I've had the i4 (4 months), even when on the highway and hypermiling, and I'd like to know why. On one trip, I didn't even notice anything between 83% down to 60%. It didn't take very long to discharge that, maybe 10-15 minutes. I feel like my battery may already be on the decline since day 1. I've never gotten even close to the advertised range, and not even what I had estimated after having it for 3 weeks.

I always charge L2 @240V and anywhere from 16A-32A. I've only used DCFC once, and it was on Day 2.

What do you see as consumption (mi/kWh)?

 

[captainrewind]

What do you see as consumption (mi/kWh)?

In town, 2.8 or so. On the best weeks, it will be around 3.3. The highest I've ever seen is 3.8.

I'm not sure the issue is "consumption rate" so much as "total capacity." It's the latter I'm concerned about.

 

[captainrewind]

Did you read this thread ? Recommendations to understand Range and Consumption

It’s a good place to start, and should clear some confusion on the range issue. The only two things I’ll add is 1, the drop from 83% to 60% in 10-15 minutes is concerning if accurate. Might want to charge to 100% once to allow the HV battery to rebalance the cells, and see if that helps and 2, might want to request a “CarData” after the 100% charge to see what the BMS thinks the battery capacity is. We have a thread on that too.

This drop was very anecdotal. I wasn't paying super close attention. Still, it seemed like a super fast drop, considering I was on a return trip, where I went from 100-83 (Denver to Loveland (2 stops), and then Fort Collins, CO) on the way out. (It's worth noting that there is a vertical change, but only 400 ft. ... decrease on the way there, increase on the return.) The return trip was all highway, 0 stops. I can't imagine the 400ft made the difference.

I almost always charge to 80%, except when I'm planning a long drive. I've charged to 100% only a handful of times. That particular day, I had charged to 100% that morning.

It just feels like my battery performs differently at different ranges. Sometimes it will sit at a given percentage for what seems like forever, and then other times, I'll look away and it will have burned through 20% or more.

Edit:.I'll check out CarData. I'm planning another 100% charge trip next week, I'll read up on it and allow a bit of time to do this. Thanks for the link.

 

[captainrewind]

How much would you folks think the upgraded HK stereo system, with the subwoofer installed, and the bass adjusted slightly higher than default, affects battery usage? And I'm talking BLASTING with bass-heavy stuff like Dillon Francis playing.

 

[ssh]

How much would you folks think the upgraded HK stereo system, with the subwoofer installed, and the bass adjusted slightly higher than default, affects battery usage? And I'm talking BLASTING with bass-heavy stuff like Dillon Francis playing.

Virtually not at all. I believe it uses the 12V for everything. Right, @Technic?

 

[Technic]

Virtually not at all. I believe it uses the 12V for everything. Right, @Technic?

Correct, 12V battery powers most accessories.