BMW i4 running costs & insurance
The savings really stack up here, with i4 owners enjoying zero road tax, very low company-car tax, reasonable insurance ratings, strong residuals and affordable servicing
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-43 | 3yrs/unlimited miles | 2yrs/20,000 miles | From £207/£415 |
BMWs have never been cheap cars to buy and that’s certainly the case for its electric models – but the i4 will be cheap to run. Its insurance ratings are about the same as for a similarly powerful petrol BMW, there’s no road tax to pay and company-car Benefit-in-Kind bills will be a fraction of what they would be for a diesel or petrol-engined equivalent. Servicing is also cheaper and less frequent than for a combustion-engined BMW.
BMW i4 insurance group
Insurance groupings for the i4 start at 34 for the entry-level eDrive40 model. That’s actually not too bad when you consider that the equivalent (but less powerful) petrol-engined 430i Gran Coupe is only one group lower. The big jump up to group 43 for the i4 M50 is reflective of that model’s significantly higher power output.
Warranty
Like all new BMWs sold in the UK, the i4 is covered by a three-year manufacturer warranty, with no mileage limit during that time. BMW’s ‘i’ electric-car warranty also includes BMW Mobile Care and protection for the car’s high-voltage battery for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
Servicing
As with all electric cars, BMW i4 servicing will be pleasingly affordable. The car only needs attention every two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first. A pay-monthly service plan costs £15 a month across three years (or £540 total), compared to £25 a month for a petrol or diesel-engined 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Road tax
Like all electric cars, the BMW i4 is zero-rated for road tax (VED) right now. That may change in the future, if government plans to introduce road pricing come to fruition, but for now it’s one less expense to worry about.
Depreciation
According to February 2022 data from CDL Vehicle Information Services (CDL VIS), the i4 eDrive40 is projected to retain nearly 58% of its list price after three years or 36,000 miles on the road. An above-average figure like this is typical of BMWs and should translate to affordable monthly finance payments.
