In our Bucharest to Rome EV duel, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 101 minutes, completing the 1868km route in 23h 14min. The key advantage? 2 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 26, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
Despite costing 30,800 less, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 101 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 10 charging stops compared to 12 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
BMW iX3
- Total time: 23h 14min (101 min faster)
- Charging stops: 10
- Charging time: 2h 54min
- Energy: ~379 kWh
- Distance: 1868km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
Audi SQ8 e-tron |
BMW iX3 |
| Travel time |
24h 55min |
23h 14min |
| Charging time: |
4h 22min |
2h 54min |
| Charging stops: |
12 |
10 |
| Energy used |
~336 kWh |
~336 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 (20 min, 10% → 54%)
-
Stop 8:
IONITY Eni (12 min, 10% → 40%)
-
Stop 9:
Cantagallo Ovest (10 min, 10% → 34%)
-
Stop 10:
Ristorante Goyo (10 min, 12% → 35%)
-
Stop 11:
Area Servizio Badia al Pino Ovest (15 min, 10% → 45%)
-
Stop 12:
Giove Ovest (10 min, 10% → 35%)
- Arrival: Rome
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 (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 7:
IONITY Risparmio Casa (16 min, 13% → 64%)
-
Stop 8:
Autogrill Po Ovest (10 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 9:
Ristorante Goyo (12 min, 10% → 52%)
-
Stop 10:
Area di Servizio Fabro Ovest (11 min, 10% → 49%)
- Arrival: Rome
Why the BMW iX3 Won
The BMW iX3 achieved a 101-minute advantage over Audi SQ8 e-tron on this 1868km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 10 stops vs 12 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 2h 54min vs 4h 22min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
- Better efficiency: Lower energy consumption (~379 kWh vs ~541 kWh) means less time spent charging.
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