Charging Cost Comparison
BMW i5 vs BYD SEAL in United Kingdom
Compared variants: eDrive40 Sedan vs 82.5 kWh RWD Design
Updated April 2026
Data shown is approximate and based on publicly available specifications and average electricity prices in United Kingdom as of early 2026. For models with multiple battery versions, this page compares the variants listed above. Actual charging costs vary with your electricity tariff, charger network, time of day, and subscription plans. Always check the manufacturer specification page and your vehicle's manual for official figures. EVcourse is not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or charging network.
Quick summary
In United Kingdom, the BYD SEAL is cheaper to charge at home at £4.15 per 100 km, compared to £4.38 for the BMW i5. Over 15,000 km per year, that's roughly £34 in savings on home charging alone. See the full spec comparison.
Charging BMW i5 vs BYD SEAL in United Kingdom
These estimates use the average home electricity price in United Kingdom (£0.25/kWh) and the average DC fast charging price (£0.76/kWh). Annual estimates assume 15,000 km per year.
| Cost | BMW i5 | BYD SEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Home charging per 100 km (est.) | £4.38 | £4.15 |
| DC fast charging per 100 km (est.) | £13.30 | £12.62 |
| Annual home charging (est.) | £657 | £623 |
| Annual DC fast charging (est.) | £1,995 | £1,893 |
Prices in GBP, including VAT (20%). Your actual cost depends on your electricity contract, charging network subscription, and time of use.
Annual Charging Cost
If you drive 15,000 km per year and charge mostly at home, the BMW i5 costs roughly £657 per year, while the BYD SEAL costs £623. That's a difference of £34 per year in favor of the BYD SEAL.
If you rely mostly on DC fast charging (common for drivers without home charging), the costs are higher for both: BMW i5 at £1,995 per year and BYD SEAL at £1,893 per year. The BYD SEAL saves you roughly £102 per year on DC charging.
Most drivers use a mix of home and public charging. Your actual annual cost will fall somewhere between these two estimates. The more you can charge at home or at work, the lower your cost per kilometer.
Key Specs
| Spec | BMW i5 | BYD SEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Compared variant | eDrive40 Sedan | 82.5 kWh RWD Design |
| Battery (approx.) | ~81.2 kWh | ~82.5 kWh |
| WLTP range (rated) | ~580 km | ~570 km |
| Efficiency (approx.) | ~175 Wh/km | ~166 Wh/km |
| DC fast charging (published) | up to 206 kW | up to 150 kW |
| 10-80% charge time (approx.) | ~29 min | ~36 min |
| Max AC charging | up to 11 kW (22 kW optional) | up to 11 kW |
| DC connector | CCS2 | CCS2 |
See the full side-by-side comparison with charging speed analysis, cold weather, and more.
Charging Networks in United Kingdom
Both the BMW i5 and BYD SEAL use Type 2 / CCS2 connectors, which is the standard in United Kingdom. You can charge at any public station with a compatible connector.
Popular roaming cards in United Kingdom include Octopus Electroverse, bp pulse, Shell Recharge. A roaming card lets you charge across multiple networks with a single account, which is convenient if you use different chargers on different routes.
Idle fees are common at charging stations in United Kingdom. Move your car promptly after charging to avoid extra charges.
Charging in United Kingdom
Rapidly expanding motorway and forecourt charging. Gridserve Electric Forecourts and MFG converted petrol stations leading the hub model. Contactless bank card payment mandated on new chargers above 8 kW.
Tax incentives
Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate of 3% for EVs in 2025/26, rising to 4% from April 2026 (vs up to 37% for ICE). First-year capital allowance of 100% for zero-emission company vehicles.
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