2021 BMW i3 mpg
Combined mpg, 120 Ah RWD
31mpg
- 30 city, 31 highway.
- 1 mpg below the median of 15 hatchbacks (2021).
- 6 trims: 31 to 100 mpg.
12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Power 17 cents per kWh. Plug-in trims: 50% electric miles.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City mpg | Hwy mpg | Combined | Tank, gal | Miles per tank | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 100 | 2.3 | 230 | $384 |
| s 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 100 | 2.3 | 230 | $384 |
| 120 Ah RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 31 | N/A | N/A | $923 |
| s 120 Ah RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 31 | N/A | N/A | $923 |
| Base w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 31 | 2.3 | 71 | $923 |
| s w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | RWD | 30 | 31 | 31 | 2.3 | 71 | $923 |
Plug-in trims: 50% electric miles.
Fuel cost
120 Ah RWD, 31 mpg combined.
- Per year
- $923
- Per month
- $77
- Per mile
- 7.7 cents
- Best mpg: 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD, 100 mpg. $384 a year.
- Top trim: s 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD. $384 a year. $539 less than the 120 Ah RWD.
Electric trims
| Trim | Drive | Range, mi | kWh per 100 mi | MPGe | Full charge | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD | RWD | 0 to 153 | 29.8 | 113 | N/A | $608 |
| s RWD | RWD | 0 to 153 | 29.8 | 113 | N/A | $608 |
Plug-in hybrid trims
| Trim | Electric range, mi | MPGe | kWh per 100 mi | Gas mpg | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 Ah RWD | 153 | 100 to 113 | 29.8 | 31 | $923 |
| s 120 Ah RWD | 153 | 100 to 113 | 29.8 | 31 | $923 |
| Base w/Range Extender RWD | 0 to 153 | 100 | 29.8 | 31 | $923 |
| s w/Range Extender RWD | 0 to 153 | 100 | 29.8 | 31 | $923 |
Cost a year: 50% electric miles, the rest on gas.
Charging specs
| Version | Plug | Onboard AC, kW | DC peak, kW | 10-80%, min | Level 2, hours | Battery, kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | CCS1 | 6 | 50 | 40 | N/A | 42.2 |
Charging specs: maker data, one source.
Do I need a Level 2 charger?
No. A 120 V outlet adds 47 miles in 10 hours.
You drive 33 miles a day.
RWD. 120 V outlet: 1.4 kW.
Trip cost
| Trip | Gallons | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 miles | 3.2 | $10.32 |
| 300 miles | 9.7 | $30.97 |
| 500 miles | 16.1 | $51.61 |
| 1,000 miles | 32.3 | $103 |
Commute cost
- Per month
- $67
- Per year
- $800
- Miles a month
- 867
120 Ah RWD. 20 miles each way, 5 days a week.
Is 31 mpg good? Yes. Beats 86% of 2026 cars.
MPG by year
Rivals
| Car | Cheapest trim | Combined mpg | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW i3 | 120 Ah RWD | 31 mpg | |
| 2021 Honda Civic Type R | Touring Manual | 25 mpg | Compare |
What this cannot tell you
EPA ratings. Your own mpg will differ.
Gas prices change by state and by week.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree