How to charge the BMW 330e: a complete guide for owners

The BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery. This combination allows you to drive on both electricity and fuel. But to take full advantage of the electric mode, you need to know how and where to charge this car.

Charging a hybrid is a little different from a conventional electric vehicle, but there is nothing complicated about it. In this article, we'll look at the main ways to charge a BMW 330e, how long it takes, what you need to do at home, how public charging stations work, and how much it costs.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Key technical facts about the BMW 330e battery

The BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid version of the well-known 3 Series saloon. The 2020 model is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with a nominal capacity of 12 kWh. Approximately 1.6 kWh is reserved for technical needs and battery life, so about 10.4 kWh is available for daily use. This amount of energy is generally sufficient for 30-35 km of electric-only driving, depending on driving style, weather conditions and the use of the climate control system. This range makes the BMW 330e ideal for use in the city, where fuel costs can be significantly reduced, especially if you regularly recharge the car at home or at work.

Charging capabilities

The BMW 330e does not support direct current (DC) charging, which means that fast charging stations such as those with a CCS connector are not suitable for this vehicle. Instead, the model is designed for two main types of charging:

• Level 1 (AC, 230 V, household outlet): This is the easiest way to charge, available anywhere there is a regular power outlet. It is connected via a 3-pin to Type 2 cable. The charging speed in this case is up to 2.3 kW, and a full charge takes about 3 hours.
• Level 2 (AC, charging station): If there is access to a home or public charging station with a Type 2 connector, the vehicle can be charged at a rate of up to 3.7 kW, which is the maximum permissible power for this model. In this case, charging takes approximately 2 hours.

Energy recovery

In addition to being connected to external sources, the BMW 330e partially recharges its battery while driving. This is thanks to the braking energy recovery system, which returns some of the kinetic energy back to the battery. It is worth noting that this method does not replace full charging and serves more as an auxiliary mechanism to extend the range between main connections.

Why is there no fast charging?

For BMW 330e owners, it is important to know that the car does not support DC charging, not because of a technical limitation of the battery, but because of the concept of the car itself. As a plug-in hybrid, this model is designed for short daily trips with the possibility of regular overnight charging. Installing a fast charger on a small battery would not make practical sense: it would add cost, weight and complexity, but would not provide a significant gain in convenience.

Charging at home: a simple and affordable option

Charging via a standard power outlet

A 3-pin to Type 2 cable is usually included with the BMW 330e, but the equipment may vary depending on where the car was purchased, especially if it is a used model from Europe or the USA. This is a Level 1 charge that delivers approximately 2.3 kW of power.

Features of this connection:

• A full charge takes about 3 hours;
• It is important to use a separate socket without additional appliances;
• It is not recommended to use extension cords.

The charging socket is located on the front right, next to the passenger door. After connecting the cable, the white light comes on - this is a signal that the car is ready for charging. Then the light will turn yellow (preparation) and blue (charging process). If the light is red, there is an error.

Charging at public stations

You can also use AC power at city or highway charging stations. The key is to check that the station is compatible with the Type 2 connector. You can find suitable points via the official BMW app or Ukrainian services such as TOKA, UGV Chargers or ECOFACTOR. 

What the process looks like

• Connect the cable to the car.
• Activate charging with a QR code, phone or RFID card.
• Control the process via the BMW Connected app.
• When charging is complete, the system automatically shuts down.

How long does it take to charge the BMW 330e?

The charging time depends on the method you choose. If you use a regular household outlet (2.3 kW), it will take approximately three hours to fully charge. This is the slowest option, but it's convenient because it doesn't require any additional equipment - you just need a cable and access to a stable outlet.

If you have a 3.7 kW Wallbox installed at home, charging will be faster, taking about two hours. This is already level 2 charging, and although the car itself cannot take in more than 3.7 kW, even this speed saves time compared to a conventional socket.

Recuperation is also worth mentioning. The BMW 330e can partially recharge the battery during braking or descending. But it is impossible to fully recharge the car in this way - it is only an additional source of energy that slightly extends the range.

The cost of charging

The price of charging at home in Ukraine in 2025 depends on the current electricity tariff. As of this year, the average household tariff is just over UAH 4 per kilowatt-hour. If we consider a full charge of a 7.6 kWh battery, it will be about 30-35 hryvnias. But in real life, cars rarely discharge to zero, so the actual amount is usually less.

As for public charging stations, prices are generally higher, usually in the range of UAH 7 to 15 per kilowatt. This means that a full charge can cost between 50 and 110 hryvnias, depending on the city, provider and type of station. In large cities, there are several operators with mobile apps that allow you to see the price in advance, which is convenient, especially when travelling long distances.

How to find charging stations for BMW 330e

In 2025, Ukraine already has a well-developed infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, so finding a charging station for a BMW 330e is not a big deal. There are several convenient ways to do this:

In Ukraine, there are services such as AutoEnterprise, TOKA, UGV Chargers, ECOFACTOR and others. In their applications, you can view a map of chargers, find out the cost, check the availability of free places and start charging directly from your phone.

ECOFACTOR: our charging network for everyday driving

We, ECOFACTOR, are working to make charging an electric car in Ukraine easy and affordable, no matter where you are. Our company specialises in the development, production and maintenance of charging stations alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). All our devices are developed and assembled in Ukraine, and the network already has more than 3,500 charging ports. Our charging stations allow you to charge electric vehicles through an app available for iOS and Android.

Our mobile app enables drivers to:

• find the nearest stations on the map;
• see their status in real time;
• check the cost of charging;
• start charging contactlessly via your phone;
• receive statistics on sessions and expenses.

Our main areas of expertise

Charging stations for personal and commercial use

We offer both stationary and mobile solutions. There are AC models up to 44 kW and DC stations up to 420 kW, depending on your needs, budget and purpose. The chargers are suitable for home, office, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants or car parks.

Network management platform

Our SaaS platform allows operators to configure station operations, track energy consumption, and build flexible tariffs and reports. This solution is used by more than 500 operators in 11 countries across Europe and Central Asia.

Online store of equipment and accessories

Through our online shop can be purchased cables, adapters, RFID cards and others Charging accessories. All equipment is compatible with common connectors, including Type 2.

We see our role as creating a stable infrastructure for electric transport in Ukraine. We strive to make electric vehicles a convenient choice not only in the city, but also on the road - wherever there is a charging station.

What is the fuel consumption of the BMW 330e without charging?

Even though the BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid, there are times when the battery is low and it is not possible to recharge it in the near future. In this case, the car switches to conventional petrol mode. Under the hood is a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 4 cylinders.

In combined mode, fuel consumption without electric support is about 7.8 litres per 100 km (equivalent to about 30 miles per gallon). This may seem quite high, but it should be borne in mind that the car is heavier than a standard three due to the presence of a battery and an electric motor.

The best way to use the hybrid is in the city with regular recharging, which significantly reduces fuel costs. Without charging, the BMW 330e behaves like a conventional petrol saloon, albeit with regeneration and engine braking.

How to get started with the BMW 330e

If you've just bought a BMW 330e, you might think that charging is something complicated or overly technical. In fact, it's quite simple. You have a number of options to top up your charge:

• level 1 (home socket);
• Level 2 (AC charging station);
• recovery while driving.

Although the car doesn't support fast DC charging, it doesn't need to - the battery has a small capacity, and it's more convenient to just plug the car in overnight. Charging at home or at work is the easiest way to keep the battery topped up. And recuperation, while not providing a full charge, allows you to save money on your daily commute, especially in the city.

During long journeys, the main thing is to check in advance where you can charge your car if you plan to use an electric traction. Mobile apps from Ukrainian operators will help you with this, and international services such as PlugShare or Bonnet will help you when travelling abroad. They show the available charging points along the route and allow you to avoid situations when the battery is discharged "at zero".

Conclusion.

The BMW 330e is a convenient solution for those who want to combine the benefits of an electric drive with a traditional petrol engine. Charging such a car is easy if you know the basics: where, how and how long it takes. A regular socket is enough at home, and in the city you can always find a public charging station using a mobile app. Taking into account the tariffs in Ukraine, charging is inexpensive, and the electric range is quite suitable for daily trips.

Regular charging is not a complicated technical process, but a habit, just like putting your phone on charge before going to bed. And if you approach this simply and without panic, the hybrid really becomes a convenient and practical transport for every day.

Frequently asked questions