In our Sofia to Helsinki EV duel, the BMW i5 eDrive40 beats the Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range by 40 minutes, completing the 2511km route in 32h 41min. The key advantage? 2 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 6, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 needs only 10 charging stops compared to 12 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
BMW i5 eDrive40
- Total time: 32h 41min (40 min faster)
- Charging stops: 10
- Charging time: 2h 29min
- Energy: ~432 kWh
- Distance: 2511km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
BMW i5 eDrive40 |
Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range |
| Travel time |
32h 41min |
33h 21min |
| Charging time: |
2h 29min |
3h 16min |
| Charging stops: |
10 |
12 |
| Energy used |
~452 kWh |
~450 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
BMW i5 eDrive40 Route
- Start: Sofia (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
OMV Zemun Park (19 min, 11% → 70%)
-
Stop 2:
IONITY Csalánosi Csárda (10 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 3:
Tesco (17 min, 21% → 69%)
-
Stop 4:
Biedronka Lotników (16 min, 10% → 52%)
-
Stop 5:
Shell MOP East (10 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 6:
Wodny Park Warszawianka (22 min, 10% → 71%)
-
Stop 7:
McDonald's Dubowo Drugie (24 min, 10% → 62%)
-
Stop 8:
Neste Šilagalio Žiedo (10 min, 10% → 51%)
-
Stop 9:
IONITY Circle K Ādaži (10 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 10:
Reval Auto Audi (11 min, 14% → 57%)
- Arrival: Helsinki
Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Route
- Start: Sofia (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Naplatna rampa Nais istočno (10 min, 56% → 75%)
-
Stop 2:
OMV Zemun Park (26 min, 12% → 82%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Csalánosi Csárda (10 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 4:
Tesco (15 min, 12% → 63%)
-
Stop 5:
Kaufland Wolkera (12 min, 10% → 42%)
-
Stop 6:
Centrum Zakupowe Jan (10 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 7:
Shell MOP East (13 min, 11% → 58%)
-
Stop 8:
Lakeside (28 min, 10% → 84%)
-
Stop 9:
McDonald's Dubowo Drugie (36 min, 10% → 88%)
-
Stop 10:
Cafe Baltica (16 min, 10% → 64%)
-
Stop 11:
Neste (10 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 12:
IONITY Circle K (10 min, 12% → 51%)
- Arrival: Helsinki
Why the BMW i5 eDrive40 Won
The BMW i5 eDrive40 achieved a 40-minute advantage over Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range on this 2511km 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 29min vs 3h 16min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
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