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BMW i4 eDrive35 G26 vs Tesla Model 3 RWD

Trip mapped at a glance. Charging stops visible, total duration predictable. Caralogy simulation at 130 km/h.

saloon · 2024 vs 2024 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 ch · 67.1 kWh · 2024

VS
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model 3 RWD

282 ch · 60 kWh · 2024

Simulation trip
Assumptions: 130 km/h · start 100 % · mild weather

Result · total trip time

ABMW i4 eDrive35 G26

7h44charging included

4 stops · 79.64 €

Gap13 minin favour of Model 3 RWD
BTesla Model 3 RWD

7h31charging included

3 stops · 55.08 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 eDrive35 G26Model 3 RWDGap
Total time7h447h3113 min · Model 3 RWD
Charging stops4 stops3 stops1 stop · Model 3 RWD
Cost of energy used79.64 €55.08 €24.56 € · Model 3 RWD

Visualise the trip

Both vehicles drive at 130 km/h. The difference comes from charging stops.

BMWBEV
i4 eDrive35 G26
100%
301 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 2
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 3
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 4
15 min · +39 kWh · 23.26 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h44
4
Stops
7h44
Duration
79.64 €
Cost of energy used
TeslaBEVFastest
Model 3 RWD
100%
364 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
9 min · +24 kWh · 14.40 €
Charge 2
9 min · +24 kWh · 14.40 €
Charge 3
12 min · +31 kWh · 18.45 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h31
3
Stops
7h31
Duration
55.08 €
Cost of energy used

The 13-minute lead of the Model 3 RWD does not come from driving speed, but from one fewer charging stop on this route (3 vs 4).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 3 stops totalling 30 min for the Model 3 RWD versus 4 stops totalling 43 min for the i4 eDrive35 G26.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (18,6 kWh/100km for i4 eDrive35 G26 and 13,2 kWh/100km for Model 3 RWD) 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 22,3 kWh/100km (i4 eDrive35 G26) and 16,5 kWh/100km (Model 3 RWD). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 15,9 km/min versus 12,4 km/min

During the 30 minutes of charging for the Model 3 RWD, range recovers by 477 km. During the 43 cumulative minutes for the i4 eDrive35 G26, range recovers by 535 km. Per minute: the Model 3 RWD recovers 1,3× faster. The gap is less pronounced but accumulates over long distances.

For reference: how much would an equivalent petrol car cost?

A Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech 180 (equivalent segment) consumes about 7,2 L/100km on the motorway at 130 km/h. At 1,9 €/L, this Paris → Marseille trip would cost ~103 €. That is 1,3× the electric cost of the i4 eDrive35 G26 and 1,9× that of the Model 3 RWD. The gap narrows in winter but never reverses.

Energy cost breakdown for your trip Paris → Marseille

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.

BMW i4 eDrive35 G26

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Beaune, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh271 km60 kWh consumed0.045 €/km12.08 €
Beaune, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Limonest, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Montélimar, A7 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 155 kW · 0.60 €/kWh144 km32 kWh consumed0.134 €/km19.24 €
Trip total79.64 €

Tesla Model 3 RWD

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Tournus, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh327 km54 kWh consumed0.033 €/km10.81 €
Tournus, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Supercharger 160 kW · 0.60 €/kWh146 km24 kWh consumed0.099 €/km14.40 €
Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Supercharger 160 kW · 0.60 €/kWh146 km24 kWh consumed0.099 €/km14.40 €
Montélimar, A7 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 154 kW · 0.60 €/kWh156 km26 kWh consumed0.099 €/km15.48 €
Trip total55.08 €

Range recovered by stop duration

How many kilometres do you recover depending on the time spent at the charger? Comparison at nominal peak power.
Charging stop durationBMW i4 eDrive35 G26Tesla Model 3 RWD
5 minutes~47 km~60 km
10 minutes~94 km~120 km
20 minutes~188 km~241 km
Full session 10 → 80 %~210 km · 24 min~255 km · 23 min

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
18.6 kWh/100 km · 13.2 kWh/100 km
Net battery
67.1 kWh · 60 kWh
Max DC charging
180 kW · 170 kW

Compare with another vehicle

Replace one of the two with an alternative from the same segment

BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 ch · 67.1 kWh · 2024

TeslaBEV

Model 3 RWD

282 ch · 60 kWh · 2024

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BMWVSTesla

i4 eDrive35 vs Model 3 Standard Range Plus

BMWVSTesla

i4 M50 xDrive vs Model 3 RWD

Frequently asked questions

The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the Model 3 RWD arrives in 7h31 with 3 charging stops.

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.

On this trip, the energy used costs 79.64 € (i4 eDrive35 G26) and 55.08 € (Model 3 RWD). For reference, an equivalent Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech 180 (~7.2 L/100 km) would cost about 103 € in fuel.