The BMW i3 does 35 mpg combined (35.6 city, 33.8 highway), which works out to about $1,097 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other Plug-in hybrid cars it sits below the average of 35.6 mpg.
Every BMW i3 engine, compared
The BMW i3 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6L 2-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 35.6 / 33.8 | 2014–2021 | $1,097 |
What that actually costs
The BMW i3 burns a gallon every 35 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 343 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.091 |
| Fuel per year | $1,097 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,485 |
| Against other Plug-in hybrid cars | +$18 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,238 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW i3 is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 35.6 in the city against 33.8 on the highway. That is $57 a year in favour of the commuter stuck in traffic, and it usually means a hybrid drivetrain recovering energy every time you brake.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 35.6 mpg | $1,079 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.8 mpg | $1,136 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -1.8 mpg (-5%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the i3 changed over the years
The i3 peaked in 2016 at 39 mpg (41 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2021 at 31 — 8 mpg apart, or $254 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2021 car does 31. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 / 31 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2020 | 30 / 31 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2019 | 30 / 31 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2018 | 36 / 33 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2017 | 36 / 33 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2016 | 41 / 37 | 1 | $985 | |
| 2015 | 41 / 37 | 1 | $985 | |
| 2014 | 41 / 37 | 1 | $985 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the BMW i3 — 1 engine across 2014–2021. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,238. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW i3 get?
35 mpg combined on average — 35.6 in the city and 33.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2021.
How much does a BMW i3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,097 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,485 over five years, or 0.091 dollars a mile.
Which i3 engine is the most economical?
The 0.6L 2-cyl Plug-in hybrid at 35 mpg.
Is the i3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other Plug-in hybrid cars it sits below the average of 35.6 mpg, computed across 157 ratings.
Are these real-world i3 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the BMW i3 is $2,238 against the $1,097 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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