The BMW i3 does 77.1 mpg combined (83.4 city, 70.4 highway), which works out to about $498 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 119.1 mpg while 0.6L 2-cyl Hybrid does 35 — a difference of $775 a year. Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg.
Every BMW i3 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 131.1 / 107 | 2014–2021 | $322 | |
| 0.6L 2-cyl Hybrid | 35.6 / 33.8 | 2014–2021 | $1,097 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.042 |
| Fuel per year | $498 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,490 |
| Against other Electric cars | +$113 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,431 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 83.4 mpg | $460 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 70.4 mpg | $545 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-13 mpg (-16%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the i3 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 | 77 / 66.5 | 2 | $533 | |
| 2020 | 77 / 66.5 | 2 | $533 | |
| 2019 | 77 / 66.5 | 2 | $533 | |
| 2018 | 82.5 / 69.5 | 2 | $502 | |
| 2017 | 86.5 / 72 | 2 | $483 | |
| 2016 | 89 / 74 | 2 | $471 | |
| 2015 | 89 / 74 | 2 | $471 | |
| 2014 | 89 / 74 | 2 | $471 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW i3 get?
77.1 mpg combined on average — 83.4 in the city and 70.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2021.
How much does a BMW i3 cost in fuel per year?
About $498 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,490 over five years, or 0.042 dollars a mile.
Which i3 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 119.1 mpg, against 35 for the 0.6L 2-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $775 a year.
Is the i3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg, computed across 540 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.