BMWBEV
i3 (120 Ah) I01
170 ch · 37.9 kWh · 2018
Motorway range comparison
Trip mapped at a glance. Charging stops visible, total duration predictable. Caralogy simulation at 130 km/h.
Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
| i3 (120 Ah) I01 | 318d G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | 8h41 | 7h01−100 min |
| Charging stops | 6 stops | 0 stops−6 stops |
| Total cost | 45,72 €−17,51 € | 63,23 € |
Both vehicles drive at 130 km/h. The difference comes from charging stops.
Analysis
Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The 318d G20 (combustion) makes no stop, the i3 (120 Ah) I01 (electric) 6 stops totalling 100 min. Road safety reminder: on a trip of this duration, it is recommended to stop for at least 68 min total (17 min every 2h). The energy cost is 45,72 € for i3 (120 Ah) I01 versus 63,23 € for 318d G20.
The official WLTP figures (13,1 kWh/100km for i3 (120 Ah) I01 and 4,6 L/100km for 318d G20) are measured on a mixed cycle averaging ~46 km/h. At a steady 130 km/h, aerodynamic drag weighs much more heavily - it grows with the square of speed. Caralogy calculates a motorway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve - not a uniform correction factor. For this trip, the simulation yields 15,5 kWh/100km (i3 (120 Ah) I01) and 4,1 L/100km (318d G20). Full methodology: see the dedicated button above the summary.
On a 200 km round trip (e.g. a weekend getaway), the electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle completes the entire journey on home energy at 0.18 €/kWh - with no charging stop. The time advantage of the combustion car on long-distance motorways disappears entirely, and the economic advantage of electric strengthens considerably.
The cost per kilometre depends on the electricity rate applied to each segment - based on the energy source used at that point of the trip.
| Segment | Distance | €/km | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Beaune, A6initial energy charged at home · 0,21 €/kWh | 221 km34 kWh consumed | 0,032 €/km | 7,16 € |
| Beaune, A6 → Tournus, A6energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 98 km15 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 6,82 € |
| Tournus, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 98 km15 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 6,82 € |
| Limonest, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 98 km15 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 6,82 € |
| Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 98 km15 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 6,82 € |
| Montélimar, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 98 km15 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 6,82 € |
| Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0,45 €/kWh | 64 km10 kWh consumed | 0,070 €/km | 4,45 € |
| Trip total | 45,72 € | ||
| Segment | Distance | €/km | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Marseillefuel · 1,99 €/L | 775 km32 L consumed | 0,082 €/km | 63,23 € |
| Trip total | 63,23 € | ||
How many kilometres do you recover depending on the time spent at the charger? Comparison at nominal peak power.
| Charging stop duration | BMW i3 (120 Ah) I01 | BMW 318d G20 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | - | - |
| 10 minutes | - | - |
| 20 minutes | - | - |
| Full session 10 → 80 % | - | - |
Replace one of the two with an alternative from the same segment
170 ch · 37.9 kWh · 2018
150 ch · 2019
The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the 318d G20 arrives in 7h01 with 0 charging stop.
WLTP consumption does not reflect motorway reality. Aerodynamic drag grows with the square of speed, so real consumption is 15 to 25 % higher than WLTP combined. Caralogy calculates a highway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve.
Total time = driving time + charging time. Driving time is calculated at an average speed of 130 km/h on the motorway (adjustable). Charging time is calculated based on the real power curve of each vehicle, respecting the optimal 10 → 80 % range and the maximum power accepted by the chargers on the route.
No. The displayed cost covers only the energy consumed during the trip: kWh × energy rate, with a mix of home charging and DC fast chargers. Battery wear is a long-term ownership cost, not a trip cost.
Electric: 45,72 € (i3 (120 Ah) I01) and 63,23 € (318d G20). An equivalent petrol SUV (~8 L/100 km) would cost about 115 € in motorway fuel. Electric costs less in energy but adds charging stops.