The BMW i5 is rated 109 MPGe (110.5 city, 107.3 highway) — that is not petrol economy but the distance it covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy held in one gallon. Drawn from a socket it needs 30.9 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $630 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $688.
Every BMW i5 version, compared
The BMW i5 was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 110.5 / 107.3 | 2024–2027 | $630 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the BMW i5 draws about 3708 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 30.9 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.053 |
| Charging per year | $630 |
| Charging over five years | $3,150 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$51 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $688 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW i5 is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 110.5 in the city against 107.3 on the highway. That is $10 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 | 110.5 MPGe | $622 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 107.3 MPGe | $641 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -3.2 MPGe (-3%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the i5 changed over the years
The i5 peaked in 2027 at 116 MPGe (120 city, 113 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2025 at 105 — 11 MPGe apart, or $61 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 116. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 120 / 113 | 1 | $594 | |
| 2026 | 114 / 106 | 1 | $624 | |
| 2025 | 104 / 105 | 1 | $655 | |
| 2024 | 104 / 105 | 1 | $655 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the BMW i5 — 1 engine across 2024–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $688. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BMW i5 rated at?
109 MPGe combined on average — 110.5 in the city and 107.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2024–2027. MPGe is distance covered on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of petrol — the car itself takes none.
How much does a BMW i5 cost to charge per year?
About $630 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $3,150 over five years, or 0.053 dollars a mile.
Which i5 version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 109 MPGe.
Is the i5 efficient compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits above the average of 101 MPGe, computed across 426 ratings.
Are these real-world i5 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 i5 is $688 against the $630 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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