The BMW i4 - the ultimate performance Electric Vehicle?

The BMW i4 - the ultimate performance Electric Vehicle? Or are there disadvantages to leasing this EV?

The Tesla Model 3 quickly became the UK’s favourite electric vehicle since its launch in the UK in 2019. The American dynamo has been so popular that in 2021 nearly 35,000 were registered to UK customers (nearly 3 times more than the 2nd favourite car - the Kia Niro EV).

The electric car, and van, segment is now becoming so popular that many manufacturers are investing much of their time and efforts into becoming the ultimate EV producer for our personal and business lease customers. In a recent survey from SMMT, there are currently around 40,500,000 vehicles on our roads with 748,349 being pure electric (of which around 720,000 are cars).

See SMMT for more details - As this interesting article provides, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are now 1% of the UK’s fleet, which essentially means the only way is up for manufacturers of zero-emission options. So it was unsurprising when BMW launched their Tesla-competing i4 Gran Coupe in 2021 (also known as a fastback sedan).

Is the i4 a good electric car - is it reliable and fast?

BMW are not strangers to electrification notwithstanding their sluggish entry into the mainstream market via the iX3 and iX SUV options which bolster this sports car option. But preceding these pure electric options, BMW captured our attentions with their i3 and i8 which entered our markets around 2013 / 2014.

The issue was that these choices fell behind some of the alternatives available from other manufacturers and while they were positive concepts, it was peculiar how BMW did not seem to build on them with new and more exciting product. For as disappointing it was to await the i4, the end result has been anything other. Many of the leading car review websites are rating this as good as, if not better than, the Tesla Model 3.

Indeed, this is now the leading protagonist in the electric BMW story. On the reliability front, BMW is consistently rated as being a robust manufacturer to utilise and the fact that battery tech is not a new facet, does give you comfort of a positive experience. The cherry on the cake is that the BMW i4 shown, the M50, delivers sub-4 second 0 - 62 times making this one of the quickest EVs to lease. Our Electric Vehicle Comparison guide (https://www.electriccarlease.co.uk/electric-vehicle-comparison) sets out which EV you should lease if performance is key to you or the company (amongst other essential facets).

But are their disadvantages to electric cars and leasing?

At e-car lease we do endeavour to provide a balanced view for our personal, business and salary sacrifice customers. In relation to electrification, this is not something you should pursue without utilising the “At a glance” and “Living with your ...” tools on our dedicated electric car website. There are some basic downsides / points to consider with EVs, in particular:

•  You need to pay for a charge point at your home and / or workplace;
•  Some EVs will not have a sufficient range for your commute;
•  You will spend longer charging at a service station / charge point destination as opposed to a petrol station;
•  EVs can have higher capital outlay compared to combustion equivalents; and
•  There is less vehicle choice in the BEV segment compared to the combustion.

As EVangelists and advocates for all things electric, we do want to encourage customers to make the transition in a compliant and seamless way. If it isn’t suitable for whatever reason, then we would not allow you, or the business, to lease or buy it. As our website sets out, in conjunction with our paperwork, you need to have a charge point solution at your home or workplace (where possible).

While the Government offers an  Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme  this is now subject to limitations, so many customers will have to pay the full amount for the installation of a charge point. The costs can vary depending on your needs and requirements, but you will need to budget around £1000 and upwards for this. In theory, you can operate a BEV without a charge point at home or work but you will have to be confident in your local infrastructure.

Our charge point location partners, Zap Map, help you to research this before making a purchasing decision. And this is why understanding the charging speed of your EV is so crucial, as the maximum AC (slower speed) and DC (rapid charge) determine how quick your session will be. Our website not only shows you the speed of each vehicle but the charging time you can expect depending on the charge point you connect to. While 15 minute charging sessions are available, you need to look at EVs with charging capabilities of 200kW DC and upwards to get anywhere near this.

This is why charging speed is AS important as range (if not more). But that doesn’t mean range should be ignored. Not every EV will be suitable for your journeys, which is where our “real world range” calculator becomes important, as this will help you appreciate the difference between warmer and colder weather plus the way in which driving speeds and terrain affects the vehicle. In some cases, your regular driving could render the BEV unsuitable for you or the company car scheme.

But are EVs not too expensive?

In comparison to combustion equivalents it is not untrue to say there are price discrepancies in vehicle values. The majority of EVs cost above £30,000, which is why many UK customers are concerned that this is not an affordable proposition in the long-term.

However, as part of the affordability analysis we do suggest that customers utilise a Whole of Life cost approach, so that factors like fuel, company car tax, servicing and maintenance are considered. There is more to operating a vehicle than the finance. Looking at the M50 here, if you were to fully-charge it on a maximum tariff (28 pence per kWh) this would only cost £22. In comparison to an M3 or M4 - the M sport alternative in combustion - and this would be 4 to 5 times more expensive!

Even on the maximum tariff, the vehicle would be costing you, or the company, just 8 pence per mile. Additionally, in using our leasing / contract hire product, you can offset some of the expense which you incur with Hire Purchase and Personal Contract Purchase products. There is no requirement for large upfront costs (we call this the initial rental) with even no deposit options available. However, with leasing you do need to be aware that this is a usership and rental based product, so if you want to own it at the contract end, then this would not be suitable. Leasing is also credit based, so not suitable if you have poor credit or company accounts.

Is the i4 M50 the best EV to lease?

Rather than provide our subjective opinion, it might be useful to consider some of the essential facts on this EV. The M50 is the performance model and has a usable battery of 80 kWh capable of 3.9 seconds 0 - 62 mph times (making it one of the fastest options to select).

This EV is capable of 11 kW AC charging for sub-9 hour 0 - 100% charge times and 200 kW DC rapid charging for 30 minute 10 - 80% charge times. Additionally the i4 can tow up to 1600kg (braked). What is the range on the i4? Anywhere between 195 to 385 miles based on the weather and your driving style, providing an overall range of circa 270 miles. To be clear, our website uses unique, and accurate, data as opposed to the WLTP utilised on manufacturer websites.

BMW  I4 GRAN COUPE400kW M50 83.9kWh 5dr Auto

In terms of the car shown, the BMW  I4 GRAN COUPE400kW M50 83.9kWh 5dr Auto, this is based on the following configuration:

•  Black sapphire Metallic Paint
•  Vernasca leather - Black with grey stitching
• 18"" M aerodynamic alloy wheels in bicolour with mixed tyres - style 858M
•  Aluminium mesh effect interior trim
• Comfort pack - I4 M50

What is the real world range of a BMW i4?

What charging power does the BMW i4 have?

How long does it take to charge a BMW i4?

What is the company car tax on the BMW i4?