In our Madrid to Bucharest EV duel, the Aiways U5 beats the BMW i3 42kWh by 243 minutes, completing the 3151km route in 40h 21min. The key advantage? 6 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 4, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
Despite costing 3,007 less, the Aiways U5 beats the BMW i3 42kWh by 243 minutes on this route.
The Aiways U5 needs only 24 charging stops compared to 30 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
Aiways U5
- Total time: 40h 21min (243 min faster)
- Charging stops: 24
- Charging time: 6h 56min
- Energy: ~591 kWh
- Distance: 3151km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
Aiways U5 |
BMW i3 42kWh |
| Travel time |
40h 21min |
44h 24min |
| Charging time: |
6h 56min |
10h 53min |
| Charging stops: |
24 |
30 |
| Energy used |
~567 kWh |
~567 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
Aiways U5 Route
- Start: Madrid (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Hostal Torremar (10 min, 51% → 63%)
-
Stop 2:
Calle Gaspar Torrente (23 min, 11% → 63%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Vila Sana (10 min, 10% → 40%)
-
Stop 4:
IONITY Mas de la Sala (14 min, 10% → 49%)
-
Stop 5:
ibis Styles Figueres Ronda (14 min, 10% → 45%)
-
Stop 6:
Aire de Bages (14 min, 10% → 49%)
-
Stop 7:
Aire d'Ambrussum Sud (15 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 8:
Supercharger Mercure Beaumanoir (10 min, 10% → 38%)
-
Stop 9:
IONITY Aire de Vidauban Sud (20 min, 10% → 59%)
-
Stop 10:
Conioli Sud (10 min, 10% → 37%)
-
Stop 11:
IONITY Ceriale Sud (15 min, 23% → 58%)
-
Stop 12:
Parco Giochi via Angelo Montagna (22 min, 10% → 61%)
-
Stop 13:
Monte Alto Sud (10 min, 10% → 39%)
-
Stop 14:
Tesina Sud (20 min, 10% → 58%)
-
Stop 15:
Smatrics Risparmio Casa (12 min, 10% → 43%)
-
Stop 16:
Lom east (Koper - Ljubljana) (12 min, 10% → 28%)
-
Stop 17:
Petrol (14 min, 10% → 49%)
-
Stop 18:
Supercharger Designer Outlet Croatia (27 min, 10% → 67%)
-
Stop 19:
Tesla Supercharger (13 min, 10% → 46%)
-
Stop 20:
OMV Martinci (12 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 21:
JP Putevi Srbije (55 min, 10% → 82%)
-
Stop 22:
Lidl Bulevardul Mihai Viteazul (31 min, 10% → 54%)
-
Stop 23:
Kaufland (20 min, 10% → 39%)
-
Stop 24:
Supercharger Pitesti Retail Park (13 min, 10% → 46%)
- Arrival: Bucharest
BMW i3 42kWh Route
- Start: Madrid (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
IONITY Ariza Sur (21 min, 20% → 60%)
-
Stop 2:
Calle Gaspar Torrente (33 min, 10% → 70%)
-
Stop 3:
Optimotor 4x4 (24 min, 10% → 57%)
-
Stop 4:
IONITY Mas de la Sala (26 min, 10% → 60%)
-
Stop 5:
ibis Styles Figueres Ronda (18 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 6:
Aire de La Palme Est (18 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 7:
Aire de Loupian (21 min, 10% → 52%)
-
Stop 8:
Avenue Jean Monnet (15 min, 10% → 41%)
-
Stop 9:
Supercharger Mercure Beaumanoir (18 min, 10% → 46%)
-
Stop 10:
IONITY Aire de Vidauban Sud (37 min, 10% → 74%)
-
Stop 11:
Conioli Sud (10 min, 10% → 29%)
-
Stop 12:
IONITY Ceriale Sud (18 min, 11% → 47%)
-
Stop 13:
Area di Servizio Stura Est (12 min, 10% → 35%)
-
Stop 14:
Parco Giochi via Angelo Montagna (12 min, 10% → 34%)
-
Stop 15:
Conad (22 min, 10% → 53%)
-
Stop 16:
Monte Alto Sud (19 min, 10% → 48%)
-
Stop 17:
Tesina Sud (32 min, 10% → 69%)
-
Stop 18:
Gonars Sud (22 min, 10% → 54%)
-
Stop 19:
Lom east (Koper - Ljubljana) (23 min, 10% → 55%)
-
Stop 20:
IONITY MOL Tankstelle (14 min, 10% → 39%)
-
Stop 21:
IKEA Zagreb (24 min, 10% → 57%)
-
Stop 22:
Odmorište Dragalić Jug (13 min, 10% → 37%)
-
Stop 23:
Tesla Supercharger (19 min, 10% → 48%)
-
Stop 24:
Toll Station (26 min, 10% → 60%)
-
Stop 25:
OMV BS Bubanj Potok (13 min, 10% → 36%)
-
Stop 26:
Stop Shop (72 min, 10% → 79%)
-
Stop 27:
Lidl Bulevardul Mihai Viteazul (25 min, 10% → 58%)
-
Stop 28:
Plus Aqua (24 min, 10% → 56%)
-
Stop 29:
Euro Tehno Group (12 min, 10% → 35%)
-
Stop 30:
MOL (10 min, 10% → 31%)
- Arrival: Bucharest
Why the Aiways U5 Won
The Aiways U5 achieved a 243-minute advantage over BMW i3 42kWh on this 3151km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 24 stops vs 30 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 6h 56min vs 10h 53min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
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