In our Bucharest to Madrid EV duel, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 162 minutes, completing the 3138km route in 37h 42min. The key advantage? 3 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on October 8, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
Despite costing 30,800 less, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 162 minutes on this route.
The Audi SQ8 e-tron's 366km range doesn't beat the BMW iX3's 360km here - charging speed and efficiency matter more.
The BMW iX3 needs only 17 charging stops compared to 20 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
BMW iX3
- Total time: 37h 42min (162 min faster)
- Charging stops: 17
- Charging time: 4h 50min
- Energy: ~636 kWh
- Distance: 3138km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
Audi SQ8 e-tron |
BMW iX3 |
| Travel time |
40h 24min |
37h 42min |
| Charging time: |
7h 21min |
4h 50min |
| Charging stops: |
20 |
17 |
| Energy used |
~565 kWh |
~563 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
Audi SQ8 e-tron Route
- Start: Bucharest (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
MOL Pitesti 3 (12 min, 76% → 86%)
-
Stop 2:
Lidl Bulevardul Mihai Viteazul (82 min, 10% → 75%)
-
Stop 3:
JP Putevi Srbije (32 min, 10% → 73%)
-
Stop 4:
Tesla Supercharger (30 min, 10% → 70%)
-
Stop 5:
Emmezeta Jankomir (11 min, 10% → 38%)
-
Stop 6:
Petrol (18 min, 10% → 51%)
-
Stop 7:
Smatrics Risparmio Casa (12 min, 10% → 39%)
-
Stop 8:
Vega (20 min, 10% → 52%)
-
Stop 9:
Electriease Monte Alto Nord (36 min, 10% → 74%)
-
Stop 10:
Area di Servizio Stura Ovest (13 min, 10% → 41%)
-
Stop 11:
IONITY Rinovo Nord (25 min, 10% → 62%)
-
Stop 12:
Aire de Vidauban Nord (10 min, 10% → 34%)
-
Stop 13:
IONITY Aire de Rousset (18 min, 14% → 53%)
-
Stop 14:
Aire de Nabrigas (16 min, 10% → 46%)
-
Stop 15:
Aire de Gasparets (31 min, 10% → 72%)
-
Stop 16:
IONITY Mas de la Sala (11 min, 10% → 37%)
-
Stop 17:
IONITY Vila Sana (22 min, 10% → 58%)
-
Stop 18:
Calle Gaspar Torrente (16 min, 10% → 45%)
-
Stop 19:
Zunder Avia (16 min, 10% → 46%)
-
Stop 20:
Supercharger Estación de Servicio Repsol (10 min, 10% → 34%)
- Arrival: Madrid
BMW iX3 Route
- Start: Bucharest (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Rompetrol (10 min, 33% → 38%)
-
Stop 2:
OMV Bulevardul Nicolae Iorga (54 min, 11% → 73%)
-
Stop 3:
JP Putevi Srbije (21 min, 10% → 70%)
-
Stop 4:
Tesla Supercharger (20 min, 10% → 68%)
-
Stop 5:
Emmezeta Jankomir (10 min, 10% → 45%)
-
Stop 6:
Barje Sever (15 min, 10% → 59%)
-
Stop 7:
Supercharger Omnia Hotel (14 min, 10% → 58%)
-
Stop 8:
Electriease Monte Alto Nord (24 min, 10% → 71%)
-
Stop 9:
Area di Servizio Stura Ovest (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 10:
IONITY Rinovo Nord (14 min, 14% → 60%)
-
Stop 11:
Aire de Vidauban Nord (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 12:
IONITY Aire de Rousset (11 min, 25% → 61%)
-
Stop 13:
Aire de Gigean Nord (14 min, 10% → 56%)
-
Stop 14:
ANDGO (22 min, 10% → 72%)
-
Stop 15:
IONITY Vila Sana (14 min, 10% → 56%)
-
Stop 16:
Calle Gaspar Torrente (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 17:
IONITY Ariza Norte (17 min, 10% → 64%)
- Arrival: Madrid
Why the BMW iX3 Won
The BMW iX3 achieved a 162-minute advantage over Audi SQ8 e-tron on this 3138km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 17 stops vs 20 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 4h 50min vs 7h 21min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
- Better efficiency: Lower energy consumption (~636 kWh vs ~909 kWh) means less time spent charging.
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