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BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26 vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

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

saloon · 2024 vs 2018 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
BMWBEV

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 ch · 80.7 kWh · 2024

VS
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model 3 Long Range RWD

258 ch · 74 kWh · 2018

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

Result · total trip time

ABMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

7h37charging included

4 stops · 80.88 €

Gap7 minin favour of Model 3 Long Range RWD
BTesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

7h30charging included

2 stops · 54.51 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 M50 xDrive G26Model 3 Long Range RWDGap
Total time7h377h307 min · Model 3 Long Range RWD
Charging stops4 stops2 stops2 stops · Model 3 Long Range RWD
Cost of energy used80.88 €54.51 €26.37 € · Model 3 Long Range RWD

Visualise the trip

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

BMWBEV
i4 M50 xDrive G26
100%
341 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 2
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 3
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 4
6 min · +21 kWh · 12.50 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h37
4
Stops
7h37
Duration
80.88 €
Cost of energy used
TeslaBEVFastest
Model 3 Long Range RWD
100%
424 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
11 min · +30 kWh · 17.76 €
Charge 2
18 min · +44 kWh · 26.56 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h30
2
Stops
7h30
Duration
54.51 €
Cost of energy used

The 7-minute lead of the Model 3 Long Range RWD does not come from driving speed, but from 2 fewer charging stops on this route (2 vs 4).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 2 stops totalling 29 min for the Model 3 Long Range RWD versus 4 stops totalling 36 min for the i4 M50 xDrive G26.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (19,7 kWh/100km for i4 M50 xDrive G26 and 14,7 kWh/100km for Model 3 Long Range 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 23,6 kWh/100km (i4 M50 xDrive G26) and 17,5 kWh/100km (Model 3 Long Range RWD). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 14,6 km/min versus 13,9 km/min

During the 29 minutes of charging for the Model 3 Long Range RWD, range recovers by 422 km. During the 36 cumulative minutes for the i4 M50 xDrive G26, range recovers by 499 km. Per minute: the Model 3 Long Range RWD recovers 1,1× 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 M50 xDrive G26 and 1,9× that of the Model 3 Long Range 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 M50 xDrive G26

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Tournus, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh307 km73 kWh consumed0.047 €/km14.53 €
Tournus, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Limonest, A6 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Montélimar, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 208 kW · 0.60 €/kWh58 km14 kWh consumed0.142 €/km8.24 €
Trip total80.88 €

Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh382 km67 kWh consumed0.035 €/km13.33 €
Limonest, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Supercharger 161 kW · 0.60 €/kWh170 km30 kWh consumed0.104 €/km17.76 €
Valence, A7 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 148 kW · 0.60 €/kWh224 km39 kWh consumed0.105 €/km23.42 €
Trip total54.51 €

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 M50 xDrive G26Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
5 minutes~51 km~57 km
10 minutes~101 km~114 km
20 minutes~202 km~227 km
Full session 10 → 80 %~239 km · 25 min~297 km · 28 min

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
19.7 kWh/100 km · 14.7 kWh/100 km
Net battery
80.7 kWh · 74 kWh
Max DC charging
205 kW · 170 kW

Compare with another vehicle

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

BMWBEV

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 ch · 80.7 kWh · 2024

TeslaBEV

Model 3 Long Range RWD

258 ch · 74 kWh · 2018

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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 Long Range RWD arrives in 7h30 with 2 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 80.88 € (i4 M50 xDrive G26) and 54.51 € (Model 3 Long Range RWD). For reference, an equivalent Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech 180 (~7.2 L/100 km) would cost about 103 € in fuel.