Public Charging Tips for Your BMW i3

Public charging is easy once you know how. Learn the steps here. Tips on parking and how to remove the charge plug when it gets stuck! Only one car can use the charger at once. Despite each EVSE having 2-3 cables, only one can be used at a time. For instance, we cannot charge our i3's while a Nissan Leaf or a silly Tesla is charging.

[richardbaineswarrick]

Dude, the RC car ripping around was soooo excellent icing on the i3 charging info. cake!

[archielabb]

OMG, that last tip about charger getting stuck was great! It happened at my first public charge! Scared me enough to find your video. Thanks!!!

[perrywales]

When attaching the CCS cable, make sure you hold the heavy cable plug up so the charger can engage the safety pin. It may take a few seconds, listen for the pin to engage. It was clear in your video you didn't accomplish this. The charge station must recieve a "all clear and connected" signal from the plug before it activates 400 volts to the cable. Failing to do so results in exactly the failure to connect message you received. It's a quirk of the chargers and the i3. Once you've mastered the correct connection procedure, you'll connect everytime, the first time.

[limacom]

Thakks for this video… I’m a new i3 owner and these are great tips

[TheRickr]

Great video!!! Just got my car and need to go on a trip. I feel confident now!!! Thank you

[dujuanjohnson]

There’s a button on the back suicide door sill that unlocks the charger plug in case it’s stuck

[gonville]

The little hook. Thats for the slot in the cap to hang on then it doesnt flop off when you pull out the DC plug.

[ferocity]

Ty sir I'm getting a 2014 used i3 this Friday tyvm for all the tips!

[jilkenma]

@funcentric - great video - thanks I just purchased an i3 and boy is it an interesting task. Just out of curiosity is Volta compatible? I’ve tried to charge using Volta 3 times to no avail.

[colintwyning]

Sticking metal objects into a 50Kw socket, relying on an unknown charger and car to switch off the current is Mad! Also that plug did not look fully in at any point.

[AnotherOpinion]

Going to be getting the 2014 i3 very soon here for my next car most likely but I'm not sure if you would recommend a full electric or a hybrid? I am in SoCal so I do bit of distance driving a few times a month, what do you think? I can be fine doing either or yes?

[ashttr]

Is there a way to limit the charging to 80%?

[loganr]

If that happens I think you should use something plastic and rubber the hard plastic due to current is running through it unless you want to get fried

[BasicPlanet]

There is a manual cord to pull on "emergency charge release" in the trunk. No nail clipper needed :D

[vmkpezh]

How charge the car if on a public charger the charging clipper (pin) is broken?

[markstoybox]

How long does it take to charge the I3 at one of these stations? Thanks

[DiscoR]

Forward one year later: gas in California is over $5 dollars and and at one point $7 dollars.

[RB-esvx]

Anyone know if it's okay to leave car plugged in even after fully charged?

[bfdavdb]

Thanks for helping me decide not to get an electric car. lol

[goldieandblackie]

Public charging still a lot of faffing around, maybe in another 5 years the set up will have improved, only by that time electric prices will be what your paying for gas.