BMW

BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021)

Lithium-ion (cathode not published) cells · 42.2 kWh total (37.9 kWh usable) · used in 1 model variant.

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Pack reference

Lithium-ion (cathode not published) · Eight modules of 12 cells (96 cells), under the floor

About the pack

Capacity

37.9 kWh

usable · 42.2 total

Fast charge

50 kW

peak

Warranty floor

70%

capacity floor at 8 yr / 100k mi

Pack overview

ChemistryLithium-ion (cathode not published)

Cell supplierNot published

Cell formatNot published

Voltage (nominal)352 V

CoolingLiquid (air-conditioning refrigerant circuit; can be heated)

ArchitectureEight modules of 12 cells (96 cells), under the floor

Warranty 8 yr / 100k mi

Capacity floor70%

Known issues

High

NHTSA 19V-599 (August 2019) covers 139 vehicles, about 133 of them i3 cars from model year 2019. A circuit board problem in the Electric Motor Electronics module may shut down the supply of high-voltage power. Dealers replace the module free of charge.

NHTSA recall

Low

BMW's 2019 release gives the 120 Ah battery a gross energy content of 42.2 kWh and a net content of 37.9 kWh at 352 volts, in a pack whose exterior dimensions did not change. It lists 6.5 hours for a full Level 2 charge and 0.7 hours to 80 percent on DC, and says the battery is built at BMW's Dingolfing plant. The optional range extender is a 647 cc two-cylinder gasoline engine that drives a generator and does not power the wheels.

Manufacturer

Low

BMW's warranty covers the high-voltage battery against defects for 8 years or 100,000 miles and against excessive capacity loss for the same period, defined as a net capacity below 70 percent of its original value at a BMW center's check. On range-extender cars registered in California-emission states the traction battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

OEM warranty

How this pack ages (industry context)

Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).

OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 100k mi to 70% capacity.

Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.

Vehicles using this pack

BMW i3

2019-2021 · i3, i3s and both with Range Extender (120 Ah)

153 miEPA range

113MPGe

Full reliability page →

Battery-Related NHTSA Recalls

Recalls affecting battery, charging, electric propulsion, or thermal-event systems on vehicles using this pack, as of the last complaint-data run. Each campaign names the model generation it was filed against; the summary gives the model years covered.

19V599000 Aug 14, 2019 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.

Consequence: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed against: BMW i3 2019-2021

19V310000 Apr 17, 2019 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.

Consequence: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed against: BMW i3 2019-2021

For TWD editorial coverage of major recall campaigns, see /recalls/.

Pack family

BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021) is part of the bmw-i3 family. Related packs:

BMW i3 60 Ah pack (about 22 kWh, 2014-2017) · Lithium-ion (cathode not published) · 21.6 kWh
BMW i3 94 Ah pack (33 kWh, 2017-2018) · Lithium-ion (cathode not published) · 33.2 kWh

Frequently Asked Questions

What chemistry is the BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021)?

The BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021) uses Lithium-ion (cathode not published) chemistry. BMW has not named a cell supplier for this pack. Cell format has not been disclosed. Pack architecture: Eight modules of 12 cells (96 cells), under the floor.

What is the warranty on this pack?

8 years or 100,000 miles, with capacity coverage to 70% of original. Specific terms vary by year and trim; check the manufacturer's warranty booklet for the exact vehicle.

How much does this pack degrade over time?

Industry-wide fleet aggregates show roughly 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs (Geotab, 2026), with about 95% range retention at five years on average across Recurrent's 30,000+ vehicle fleet (2026). Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. The BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021) battery warranty runs 8 years / 100,000 miles to a 70% capacity floor, which is the OEM-guaranteed minimum within that period. Individual results vary with climate, charging habits, and DC fast-charging frequency.

Which vehicles use the BMW i3 120 Ah pack (42.2 kWh, 2019-2021)?

BMW i3 2019-2021 (i3, i3s and both with Range Extender (120 Ah)).