BMW i3 BEV MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW i3 BEV has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2014 to 2016. Across those years its best rated version returned 124 mpg (2014) and its thirstiest returned 124 mpg (2014). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 124 mpg | 124 mpg | #1 of 63 (100th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
| 2015 | 1 | 124 mpg | 124 mpg | #1 of 71 (100th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
| 2016 | 1 | 124 mpg | 124 mpg | #1 of 71 (100th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW i3 BEV placed highest in 2014 at #1 of 63, and lowest in 2014 at #1 of 63. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | Range | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) Electricity | EV | 137 | 111 | 124 | 92.7 | 0.1 | $600 | 81 mi | n/a | 10/10 |
| 2015 | Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) Electricity | EV | 137 | 111 | 124 | 92.7 | 0.1 | $600 | 81 mi | n/a | 10/10 |
| 2014 | Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) Electricity | EV | 137 | 111 | 124 | 92.7 | 0.1 | $600 | 81 mi | n/a | 10/10 |
What i3 BEV fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2016 BMW i3 BEV burns 93 to 93 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $278 | $278 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $325 | $325 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $371 | $371 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2016 model year is $600 to $600 a year in fuel, or $8,250 less than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 124 mpg the BMW i3 BEV is 100 mpg better the median, which is worth about $1,352 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other BMW nameplates
Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.