- Newest year: 2018
- Plug-in hybrid
- Electric
- Small cars
2014-2018 BMW i3 MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 35–39 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) + residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 10 of 10 small car configurations, MY2018. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2014-2018 BMW i3 at a glance
The 2014-2018 BMW i3 covers 5 model years in the EPA database (13 configurations in all), rated 35–39 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2018, costs about $1,020 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD (35 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: plug-in hybrid and electric. EPA changed the ratings in 2016, 2017 and 2018; 2015 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 39 MPG, was reached in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
2014-2018 BMW i3 by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Plug-in hybrid, Electric | 35 MPG, 112–118 MPGe | $790–$1,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Plug-in hybrid, Electric | 35 MPG, 118–124 MPGe | $740–$990 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Plug-in hybrid, Electric | 39 MPG, 124 MPGe | $740–$1,000 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Plug-in hybrid, Electric | 39 MPG, 124 MPGe | $740–$1,000 | Same EPA ratings as 2014 |
| 2014 | Plug-in hybrid, Electric | 39 MPG, 124 MPGe | $740–$1,000 | First year |
What the 2018 (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$85
$1,020 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$1.70
Per 100 miles
$6.80
Five years
$5,100
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$2,150less a year
Class median $3,170 a year, MY2018
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 BMW i3 MPG
Versus 2017: Its annual cost goes from $740 to $1,020, $280 more.
On electricity 109 MPGe, with 97 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsEPA range 107–114 miles.
See electric configurationsPlug-in hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (94Ah) with Range Extender (Most efficient) | RWD | 35 | 109 | 97 mi | $1,020 |
| i3s (94Ah) with Range Extender | RWD | 35 | 109 | 97 mi | $1,020 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 89% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
Electric configurations (2)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (94Ah) (Most efficient) | RWD | 29 | 118 | 114 mi | $790 |
| i3s (94Ah) | RWD | 30 | 112 | 107 mi | $820 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
2017 BMW i3 MPG
35 MPG, 118–124 MPGe · $740–$990/yr
Versus 2016: Its annual cost goes from $1,000 to $740, $260 less.
On electricity 111 MPGe, with 97 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsEPA range 81–114 miles.
See electric configurationsPlug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REX (94 Amp-hour battery) (Most efficient) | RWD | 35 | 111 | 97 mi | $990 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 89% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
Electric configurations (2)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEV (60 Amp-hour battery) (Most efficient) | RWD | 27 | 124 | 81 mi | $740 |
| BEV (94 Amp-hour battery) | RWD | 29 | 118 | 114 mi | $800 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
2016 BMW i3 MPG
39 MPG, 124 MPGe · $740–$1,000/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 39 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,000.
On electricity 117 MPGe, with 72 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsPlug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REX (Most efficient) | RWD | 39 | 117 | 72 mi | $1,000 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 83% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
Electric configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEV (Most efficient) | RWD | 27 | 124 | 81 mi | $740 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
2015 BMW i3 MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2014
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2015 BMW i3 as for the 2014 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2014 section above.See 2014
2014 BMW i3 MPG
39 MPG, 124 MPGe · $740–$1,000/yr
On electricity 117 MPGe, with 72 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsPlug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REX (Most efficient) | RWD | 39 | 117 | 72 mi | $1,000 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 83% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
Electric configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEV (Most efficient) | RWD | 27 | 124 | 81 mi | $740 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD: $1,700 in California and $750 in Louisiana, a $950 difference.
- California $1,700
- New York $1,490
- Texas $880
- Florida $860
- Louisiana $750
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2018 small car models.
Generations
- 2014-2018
- 2019-2021 (G20)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2014-2018 BMW i3 get?
EPA rates the 2014-2018 BMW i3 at 35–39 MPG combined across 13 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2016 REX 0.6L 2-cyl RWD, is rated 39 MPG (41 city, 37 highway). By powertrain: Plug-in hybrid: 35–39 MPG; Electric: 112–124 MPGe.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2014-2018 BMW i3?
The REX 0.6L 2-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 39 MPG, in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The lowest top rating, 35 MPG, was in 2018.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2014-2018 BMW i3?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2015 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 BMW i3 per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) + residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026), the (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD costs about $1,020 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $790–$1,020 a year. That is a $230 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2018 BMW i3 100 miles?
About $6.80 per 100 miles for the (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $5.27 and $6.80 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
How does the 2018 BMW i3 compare with other small car configurations?
The (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD costs about $1,020 a year to fuel, $2,150 less than the class median of $3,170, and less than 10 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 365 rated small car configurations for MY2018, not weighted by sales.
What is the range and charging cost of the 2018 BMW i3?
EPA rates the range at 107–114 miles depending on configuration, and the (94Ah) RWD goes 114 mi. Efficiency is 29–30 kWh per 100 miles (112–118 MPGe). At residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026), charging costs $790–$820 a year, or $5.27 per 100 miles for the (94Ah) RWD.
How far does the 2018 BMW i3 plug-in hybrid go on electricity?
EPA rates the electric range at 97 miles, with a total range of 180 miles when the gasoline engine helps. Once the battery is used, the car runs as a hybrid at 35 MPG. The (94Ah) with Range Extender 0.6L 2-cyl RWD costs about $1,020 a year, assuming EPA's utility factor of 89% of miles on electricity, at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) + residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026).
Is the 2018 BMW i3 different from the 2017 model?
Its annual cost goes from $740 to $1,020, $280 more. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2018 against 3 configurations for 2017. See the 2017 BMW i3 for that year.