BMW i4 vs Tesla Model Y: charging compared
Charging curves overlaid, time-to-charge at every common UK charger speed, and per-network cost — modelled on each car's actual charging behaviour.
At a 150kW UK rapid (10% → 80%): the BMW i4 finishes in 28m, around 3 minutes ahead of the TeslaModel Y at 31m.
AI-drafted intro · editorial review pending
The BMW i4 and Tesla Model Y are cross-shopped UK EVs in similar size and price brackets. The framing of this comparison: Volume SUV vs premium fastback.
Both cars' headline charging specs are available on their individual pages; the live tables below show how they actually perform across charger speeds and on every common UK network and home tariff. Where the chart's curve view shows one car holding a higher kW further up the SOC range, that car is generally the faster real-world charger at ultra-rapid sites; where the curves are similar, the practical difference at a 150kW UK rapid will be small.
Cost per mile at home is determined by the tariff and the car's real-world efficiency — both visible above. On a smart EV tariff (~7p/kWh off-peak), both cars cost a few pence per mile. On public rapid charging at PAYG rates, the gap between cheapest and most expensive networks is larger than the gap between most pairs of cars.
Use the tool above to model the specific scenario that matters for your driving — typical SOC range, your usual charger speed, your home tariff — and base the buying decision on those numbers rather than headline peak kW.
Charging behaviour
- BMW i4
- Tesla Model Y
Time to charge by charger speed
SOC range 15% → 80%. Cells softer where the charger speed exceeds the car's peak DC — higher chargers deliver the same time.
| Car | 7kW | 22kW | 50kW | 100kW | 150kW | 250kW | 350kW | 400kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW i4 | 7h 30m avg 7kW | 4h 46m avg 11kW | 1h 3m avg 50kW | 33m avg 95kW | 27m avg 119kW | 25m avg 128kW | 25m avg 128kW | 25m avg 128kW |
| Tesla Model Y | 7h 37m avg 7kW | 4h 51m avg 11kW | 1h 4m avg 50kW | 36m avg 89kW | 29m avg 109kW | 26m avg 122kW | 26m avg 122kW | 26m avg 122kW |
Public network cost
15% → 80% session at PAYG rates, cheapest 5 rapid networks.
| Network | i4 | Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger 58.0p/kWh | £30.42 | £30.91 |
| Pod Point 62.0p/kWh | £32.52 | £33.05 |
| Believ 66.0p/kWh | £34.62 | £35.18 |
| MFG EV Power 77.0p/kWh | £40.39 | £41.04 |
| Mer 78.0p/kWh | £40.91 | £41.57 |
Home charging cost
Full 0% → 100% on each common UK tariff, cheapest rate slot.
| Tariff | i4 | Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| British Gas Electric Driver 9.0p/kWh (Off-peak) | £7.26 | £7.38 |
| EDF GoElectric Overnight 7.0p/kWh (Off-peak) | £5.64 | £5.73 |
| E.ON Next Drive 9.0p/kWh (Off-peak) | £7.26 | £7.38 |
| Intelligent Octopus Go 6.9p/kWh (Off-peak) | £5.57 | £5.66 |
| Octopus Go 7.0p/kWh (Off-peak) | £5.64 | £5.73 |
| OVO Charge Anytime 14.0p/kWh (EV charging slot) | £11.30 | £11.48 |
| Standard Variable Price Cap 26.1p/kWh (Standard) | £21.07 | £21.41 |
Cost per mile
Real-world Wh/mile efficiency × representative tariffs.
| Scenario | i4 | Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Home smart off-peak | 2.0p/mile | 2.0p/mile |
| Tesla Supercharger | 17.1p/mile | 17.1p/mile |
| BP Pulse PAYG | 26.3p/mile | 26.3p/mile |
Considering any of these cars?
Salary sacrifice schemes typically save 30-40% on the monthly cost of an EV by paying through pre-tax salary. Common UK providers include The Electric Car Scheme, Octopus Electric Vehicles, Loveelectric and Tusker. We're working on partnerships so we can link directly — for now, read how we make money.
Common questions
Which charges faster, the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model Y?
Use the time-to-charge table above; the answer depends on which charger speed you're comparing at. Headline peak DC isn't the whole story — the curve shape matters more for total session time.
Are these cars cross-shopped in the UK?
Yes — both are commonly considered in the same shortlist by UK buyers in this price and size bracket.
Which is cheaper to run?
On home off-peak charging, the more efficient car (lower Wh/mile) costs less per mile regardless of which is cheaper to buy. Compare the cost-per-mile table above.