Where to fast-charge or top up a BMW i4, i5, i7, iX, or the new iX3 in Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland, which networks your car can use, and how to check live availability before you drive over.
The nearest DC fast charging to our showroom at 735 Ashby Ave. is EVgo's Ashby Plaza site on the same street (1025 Ashby Ave.), listed by EVgo at up to 350 kW with CCS1 connectors, which CCS-port BMWs (i4, iX, i7, and earlier i5) use natively; NACS-port models such as the iX3 need an adapter that lets a CCS1 connector plug into their NACS port. A short hop south, the Tesla Supercharger on Shellmound Street in Emeryville is listed at up to 250 kW and open to non-Tesla EVs with an adapter, and BMW i4, i5, i7, and iX models have had official Supercharger access since December 10, 2025. For slower destination charging, the City of Berkeley runs five dual-port ChargePoint stations downtown, near campus, at the Marina, and at the West Branch Library.
A static page can't show which stall is free right now, so this guide tells you which verified sites exist around South and West Berkeley, what kind of charging each one offers, and which live tools will confirm status before you commit to a detour. Every site below was checked against the operating network's own listing or the City of Berkeley's published list in September 2026.
If you're new to EV ownership in the East Bay, the BMW EV ownership guide for Berkeley drivers covers home charging setup, maintenance, and the day-to-day habits that make public charging an occasional convenience rather than a routine.
Sites are grouped by neighborhood, starting with the dealership's own Ashby Avenue corridor. "DC fast" means a direct-current charger that can add substantial range in a stop of 20 to 40 minutes; "destination" means slower charging you plug into while parked for dinner, the library, or an afternoon on campus.
| Area | Network | Charger Type | Location / Landmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Berkeley (Ashby corridor) | EVgo | DC fast, CCS1, listed up to 350 kW | Ashby Plaza, 1025 Ashby Ave., the historic Heinz building complex on the same street as Weatherford BMW |
| West Berkeley (Gilman) | EVgo | DC fast, CCS1 and CHAdeMO, listed up to 50 kW | Whole Foods Market Gilman, 1025 Gilman St. |
| South Berkeley (Ashby Ave.) | EVgo | DC fast | 2328 Ashby Ave., Berkeley 94705 |
| Ashby / Telegraph | EVgo | DC fast, CCS1 | Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave., at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph |
| Downtown Berkeley | ChargePoint (City of Berkeley) | Destination, dual-port | Center Street Parking Garage, 2025 Center St., steps from Downtown Berkeley BART |
| Downtown / Southside | ChargePoint (City of Berkeley) | Destination, dual-port | Oxford Garage (underground), 2165 Kittredge St. |
| Southside / UC Berkeley | ChargePoint (City of Berkeley) | Destination, dual-port | Telegraph-Channing Garage, 2450 Durant Ave. |
| West Berkeley (University Ave.) | ChargePoint (City of Berkeley) | Destination, dual-port, solar-assisted | West Branch Library, 1125 University Ave., on-street |
| Berkeley Waterfront | ChargePoint (City of Berkeley) | Destination, dual-port | Berkeley Marina, K-Dock, 201 University Ave. |
| Emeryville | Tesla Supercharger (open to non-Tesla EVs) | DC fast, NACS, listed up to 250 kW; adapter required for a BMW with a CCS port | 5959 Shellmound St., just off I-80 in Emeryville |
| Oakland (Eastlake) | Electrify America | DC fast, CCS1 | Lucky store, 247 E. 18th St., near Lake Merritt |
| Oakland (Coliseum / Airport) | Tesla Supercharger (NACS Partner Site) | DC fast, NACS, listed up to 250 kW; adapter required for a BMW with a CCS port | Coliseum Center, 640 Hegenberger Rd., on the way to OAK via I-880 |
Station details come from each network's public listing (EVgo, Tesla, Electrify America) and the City of Berkeley's published charger list, checked September 2026. Charger availability, power levels, access rules, and pricing change without notice. Always confirm in a live tool or the network's app before relying on a site, and note that parking-garage and lot fees may apply on top of charging costs.
Each of these tools shows connector types and, in most cases, current availability.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center station locator is the most neutral source, covering every public network. Filter by CCS or NACS connectors and DC fast to see only sites that make sense for a BMW on a quick stop.
PlugShare layers driver check-ins and photos on top of the station map.
The My BMW app searches public chargers, starts and pays for sessions on partner networks, and handles Tesla Supercharger billing for eligible BMW models. Pair it with the network apps from EVgo, Electrify America, and ChargePoint for stall-level detail.
The station's advertised power is a ceiling, not a promise. Your BMW negotiates with the charger and draws only what its battery can accept at that moment, which depends on state of charge and battery temperature. A 350 kW EVgo stall and a 250 kW Supercharger will deliver roughly the same peak to a current i4 or i5, because those cars top out around 200 kW. The 800-volt iX3 is different: BMW rates it for up to 400 kW, so the 350 kW EVgo stalls at Ashby Plaza are where it can use more of that capability.
| Charging Level | Where You'll Find It Locally | What a Current BMW EV Sees | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (AC) | City of Berkeley garages, library, Marina; workplaces; home wallboxes | Limited by the car's onboard AC charger, so hours rather than minutes for a large top-up | Parking for dinner, a Cal game, a workday, or overnight |
| DC fast (CCS1) | EVgo on Ashby Ave., Telegraph Ave., and Gilman St.; Electrify America in Oakland | The i4 peaks near 200 kW and the i5 near 205 kW; the iX3 is rated up to 400 kW (with an adapter, since it has a NACS port). All taper as the battery fills | Quick range recovery before a long drive or on a busy day |
| DC fast (NACS / Supercharger) | Tesla Superchargers in Emeryville and near the Oakland Coliseum | Same car-limited peak; CCS-port models need a BMW-approved adapter, while NACS-port models such as the iX3 plug in directly | Extra coverage when CCS sites are busy, and on I-80 road trips |
DC fast charging is quickest at a low state of charge and slows noticeably as the battery approaches full. The efficient habit is to arrive low, charge to around 80 percent, and move on. BMW's figure for the i5, for example, is roughly 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent on a high-power DC charger. For how that recovered energy translates into miles on I-80 or I-580, see our real-world Bay Area BMW EV range data.
BMW EV drivers gained official access to Tesla's Supercharger network on December 10, 2025. Current-generation i4, i5, i7, and iX models can use NACS Partner Superchargers such as the Emeryville and Hegenberger Road sites. BMW has also started building the i5 with a native NACS port; according to BMW-focused reporting, i5 sedans built from March 2026 onward carry the NACS port with adapters included. Everyone else plugs in through an adapter. Here is the setup sequence BMW describes:
Supercharger access rules, eligible model years, and adapter recommendations come from BMW USA's published Tesla NACS charging information. Check BMW's Supercharger FAQ for the current status of your specific model and year.
New model-year 2026 BMW i4, i5, and iX vehicles bought from an authorized BMW center come with 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging on Electrify America, valid for up to 24 months from purchase. You enroll in the My BMW app, then start sessions with the app's "Swipe to start" feature or with Plug & Charge on capable models. Idle fees aren't covered, so move the car when the session ends. The Oakland Electrify America site on E. 18th Street is the closest one on our map.
BMW's partnership with Shell Recharge gives My BMW app users access to other networks, including EVgo and ChargePoint, from one account. Those networks don't yet support BMW's ISO 15118 Plug & Charge, so you'll start sessions in the app. That covers both the EVgo fast chargers on Ashby and Gilman and the City of Berkeley's ChargePoint stations.
Plan terms are summarized from Electrify America's published 2026 BMW i4, i5, and iX charging plan disclosure. Complimentary charging benefits vary by model year and purchase date; confirm yours in the My BMW app.
For most Berkeley households with a driveway or garage, public charging is the exception. Charging overnight at home on a PG&E time-of-use plan is typically the lowest-cost option, and PG&E's EV2-A plan is built around it. The useful detail is that PG&E's peak window and the City of Berkeley's higher public-charger rate window line up at the same hours, so timing matters whichever plug you use.
| Time of Day | PG&E EV2-A (Home) | City of Berkeley ChargePoint Stations |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight to 3 p.m. | Off-peak, lowest cost | Baseline rate: $0.33 per kWh |
| 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Partial-peak | Baseline rate: $0.33 per kWh |
| 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Peak, highest cost | Time-of-use rate: $0.45 per kWh |
| 9 p.m. to midnight | Partial-peak | Baseline rate: $0.33 per kWh |
PG&E periods are from PG&E's published EV2-A rate plan; see PG&E's EV rate plans for current prices and eligibility. City of Berkeley rates are as posted by the city effective July 1, 2026, plus a $1.50 per-session fee and a $1.00-per-minute overstay fee (up to 30 minutes) after 4 hours 15 minutes between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Garage parking fees are separate. EVgo's Berkeley listings, including Ashby Plaza and the Telegraph Whole Foods site, also post their highest time-of-use rate from 4 to 9 p.m.; check the EVgo app for current prices.
Berkeley ran a Residential Curbside EV Charging Pilot, launched in December 2014 and extended through 2020, that let residents without a driveway or garage apply to install a charger in the public right-of-way in front of their home. Permitting cost and complexity kept uptake low. The city now requires EV charging in new buildings, which helps residents of newer multifamily housing. Check with the City of Berkeley for current options, as we haven't confirmed an active curbside program.
Without home charging, a BMW EV still fits Berkeley life with a plan. Combine destination charging at the city garages while you're already downtown or on Southside with one DC fast session a week at a site you pass anyway, like EVgo on Ashby near the grocery stores. When you can, skip the 4 to 9 p.m. window, when EVgo's Berkeley listings and the city's stations post their highest rates.
Berkeley to Lake Tahoe is the East Bay's classic EV road trip, mostly uphill in the second half.
Setting a DC fast charger as the destination in the car's built-in route guidance lets a current BMW EV prepare its battery temperature on the way, so it can accept a higher charge rate when you plug in.
If your BMW has a CCS port, keeping a BMW-approved NACS adapter aboard turns every NACS Partner Supercharger into a backup when the EVgo or Electrify America stalls are busy on a weekend.
City of Berkeley stations add overstay fees after about four hours, and Electrify America charges idle fees once a session ends. Set a reminder in the My BMW app so a quick errand doesn't turn into a fee.
Weatherford BMW of Berkeley sits at 735 Ashby Ave., a short drive from the I-80 Ashby exit, with DC fast charging on the same street. Our Master Certified EV Technicians service BMW EVs here in Berkeley, and our team can answer questions about My BMW app setup, Plug & Charge, and Supercharger adapters when you take delivery. If you're choosing between models, our BMW i4 vs. iX comparison for Bay Area drivers covers range, charging, and space side by side. Find us on the hours and directions page.
Browse our new BMW EV inventory for i4, i5, i7, and iX models, or search the full new BMW inventory. When you're ready to feel the difference yourself, schedule a test drive and we'll show you how charging works on the car you choose. For the iX3, BMW's official US launch is September 25, 2026, and some dealers have begun early deliveries; join our iX3 interest list for updates.
EVgo's Ashby Plaza site at 1025 Ashby Ave. is on the same street as our showroom at 735 Ashby Ave. EVgo lists it as a DC fast site with CCS1 connectors rated up to 350 kW, which CCS-port BMWs (i4, iX, i7, and earlier i5) use natively; NACS-port models such as the iX3 need an adapter that lets a CCS1 connector plug into their NACS port. Confirm live availability in the EVgo app or the DOE station locator before you go.
Yes. BMW EV drivers gained official access to Tesla's Supercharger network on December 10, 2025. Current-generation i4, i5, i7, and iX models can use NACS Partner Superchargers with the latest remote software upgrade, a BMW-approved CCS-to-NACS adapter (unless the car has a native NACS port), Plug and Charge enabled, and a Shell Recharge account in the My BMW app for billing.
The nearest is the Emeryville Supercharger at 5959 Shellmound St., listed at up to 250 kW and open to non-Tesla EVs with an adapter. Another NACS Partner Site is at Coliseum Center, 640 Hegenberger Rd., in Oakland.
BMW rates the i4 for up to 200 kW peak and the i5 for up to 205 kW, with the i5 going from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes on a high-power charger. Peak power only happens at a lower state of charge with a warm battery, and speed tapers as the battery fills, so for a current i4 or i5, a 350 kW station won't charge faster than a 250 kW one. The 800-volt iX3 is rated for up to 400 kW, so it can use more of a 350 kW station's output.
No. As posted by the city effective July 1, 2026, the city's ChargePoint stations charge $0.33 per kWh most hours and $0.45 per kWh from 4 to 9 p.m., plus a $1.50 fee per session. An overstay fee of $1.00 per minute, up to 30 minutes, applies after 4 hours 15 minutes between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., and garage parking fees may apply.
Verified fast-charging options include the Electrify America site at the Lucky store at 247 E. 18th St. near Lake Merritt and the Tesla Supercharger NACS Partner Site at 640 Hegenberger Rd. near the Coliseum. EVgo also operates sites across Oakland. Use the DOE station locator, PlugShare, or the My BMW app for a live view of everything near your route.
Charging locations, access rules, and prices are based on publicly listed information checked in September 2026 and can change at any time. Weatherford BMW of Berkeley does not operate any of the public charging sites listed on this page.
