BMW i3 EV travels 753 miles on a single charge and achieves an incredible energy consumption level
Published on Oct 24, 2026 at 1:59 AM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Oct 24, 2026 at 1:59 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
This BMW i3 EV traveled 753 miles on a single charge, achieving a remarkable energy consumption level in the process.
On a journey that covered highways, national roads, and urban streets, this i3 ended its journey with 1 percent left on the battery.
That’s a truly impressive feat, considering many gas cars would fail to match this on a full tank.
Would this be enough to sway anyone who’s on the fence about EVs?
People have taken EVs on long-distance drives to prove a point before
It’s a common issue you’ve undoubtedly heard cited in the EV-gas debate at one point or another.
There’s a reason it’s gained a name – ‘Range anxiety’.
For many drivers, the prospect of running out of charge is enough to spook them out of buying an electric car.
So it’s no wonder then that more and more EV drivers are taking their cars out on long-distance journeys to prove a point.
One man took his Tesla Model S on a 220 mile trip through Ukraine.
And then there’s the efforts of the EV industry itself, which is constantly seeking to up the ante.
Just take a look at China’s new solid-state battery for proof of that – it can reportedly enable journeys of 800 miles on a single charge.
And now BMW is doing its bit to prove its EVs have what it takes to withstand long distance journeys.
How did this BMW i3 fare on a 753 mile journey?
BMW took a rear-wheel-drive, long-wheelbase i3 on an endurance run covering 753 miles.
By the time it’d covered all of that terrain, there was still one percent left on the battery.
This was an impressive accomplishment, considering that many gas-powered cars on the market couldn’t achieve that on a full tank.
Given that the BMW i3 has a 108.7-kilowatt-hour battery, this range test represented energy consumption of around 14.1 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.
As impressive as this all sounds, there is one footnote to all of this which is worth addressing.
There’s just one slight catch about this BMW i3
The i3 that achieved this impressive range is a Chinese-spec model.
You see, the i3s initially up for grabs in the US and Europe won’t come with rear-wheel drive, and will only come with dual-motor all-wheel drive.
In the US, the i3 50 xDrive has an estimated range of 468 miles.
But, a rear-motor version is on the way.
It’ll be cool to see this range test replicated on different soil.
Timeline of BMW’S EV range
1972: BMW’s electric 1602 Elektro served as a support vehicle at the Munich Olympics.
1991: The E1 city car, the manufacturer’s first dedicated EV, debuted at the Frankfurt show.
2008 – 2009: The Mini E field trail saw 612 cars on the road across six countries.
2012: The first US ActiveE delivery took place.
2013: Series production of the i3 began in September, with European retail deliveries following in November.
2014: The plug-in hybrid i8 launched in Germany.
November 2021: The iX and I4 both went on sale.
October 2023: The i5 launch began.
September 2025: The Neue Klasse generation gets its big debut, with production starting the following year.
August 2026: The i3 sedan begins production in Munich.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
