Electric Car Information - How long does it take to get my new Electric Car

How long does it take to get my new Electric Car Lease - Electric Car Information

Many car customers, new or used, will take some time to make their purchasing decision. This is probably even more poignant in the case of an EV, where a personal or business customer is new to the energy. In 2026, the confidence in battery tech has almost certainly shifted from doubt and suspicion into amazement and passion.

The robust ranges, with many 300 mile+ options, energetic performances and increasing technology has brought the battery to the forefront of the car and van industry. However, the decision from research into an actual purchase is not necessarily immediate and there will be some form of education and detailed research involved.

With e-car and our EVC™ we offer a detailed, but simplistic, overview so that the customer is well versed in battery sizes, charging times AC and DC, real world ranges in a multitude of weather conditions, bidirectional charging, heat pumps, charging costs, charge point locations and dedicated EV tariffs. More than enough to buy with confidence!

But how long will the process take from agreeing to go ahead with your broker to the actual delivery?

The first big question to ask your broker is the status of the vehicle, which could be any one of the below:

•  Stock at a UK dealer or UK port
•  Stock at a European port
•  Amendable order / in-build
•  Factory Order

The quickest, as you would imagine, is the vehicle which is in stock with the UK dealership or at a port (although a dealership is the best and quickest of these two solutions generally).

With a personal customer, because you are "regulated", this means that you are afforded the protection of the Consumer Credit Act and will be offered a protective 2 weeks (14 days) from the point of your order until the new vehicle can be delivered to you.

The risk to the broker, and the supplier, is that vehicles delivered within the cooling-off period are entitled to be rejected if the customer elects to do so. Ultimately, this incurs a multitude of costs and difficulties; this is not to critique the legal protections, it is only to bring it to the attention of a customer chasing a quick delivery.

In most cases, where a vehicle is with a dealership, or port, the order to delivery should take around 2 - 3 weeks from point of order. Of course this does rely on the customer turning around documents quickly etc.

When a vehicle is noted as "stock", it is important to verify the exact location. The reason for this is that many vehicles are held in stock at European ports, as they have been manufactured within Europe and the goods subsequently transferred to a site like Zeebrugge in Belgium.

What you need to understand is that the car is built and ready to go but there will an element of logistics involved. The car, or van, will need to move from the EU into the UK, where it can be PDI'd at port or the dealership. There are a variety of onward movements to bring the vehicle to the customer.

As such, we do advise that a car at an EU port will be a 3 - 5 weeks process. However, it is also worth noting that some brands are better than others at this point, especially for some of the newer ones who are still learning the UK ropes or who do not have as many UK dealerships / franchises.

Where a vehicle is already in build, or going into build, this does mean a slower process than the options above.  Where a customer is looking into a luxury or sports performance EV, there will often be some form of bespoke or configurable action going on.

This means the chances of finding a "stock" proposition is unlikely to happen. For customers looking at the Porsche, BMW, Mercedes or Audi products, this means exhibiting some form of patience.

The advantage to having a build-slot, or amendable proposition, is that your order is not at the back of the queue. While each brand will vary based on the build times and the build location, this type of order is generally a 6 week - 3 months process. However, if you are fixed on a bespoke specification, this is worthwhile.

The last approach is the factory order deal. While these were often less common pre-EV, this position has changed somewhat. As the BEV market has been more uncertain and volatile, the various manufacturers are not building the same volume of cars and leaving them in UK or EU ports subject to a big stock deal.

The time, resource and risks have changed the mindset for many brands, especially as they balance the impact of the ZEV Mandate in the UK. Some car makers are actually making less cars, in order to have a lower electric obligation, as certain percentages each year much be zero-emission. The fresh factory order could be a 2 - 3 months process ; with some brands it can be as much as 6 - 12 months.

In any case, exercise your due diligence and care into ensuring the EV is wholly suitable for your needs and requirements. However, do not presume that the vehicle can be simply ordered and delivered at your whim. The logistics and organisation, legally and practically, which could affect your order are often well beyond what you would imagine.

This means having an honest and open conversation with the broker, or dealership, at the point of the order as to when you need the vehicle for. None of us can control or influence the manufacturing process and we never make delivery time a condition of the contract for that reason.

If a deal is more expensive, but available quicker, balance the cost of a temporary car hire or "borrow" against this. However, if a factory order is cheaper, and you are happy to wait, then pursue that option instead.

In terms of the car shown, the BMW I5 SALOON 250kW eDrive40 M Sport Pro 84kWh 4dr Auto Pure Electric Vehicle, this is based on the following:

•  Brooklyn Grey metallic paint
•  M Alcantara and Veganza leather upholstery - Black
•  20" M light star spoke bicolour jet black alloy wheels - Style 938 M
•  Sun protection glass
• Mode 3 / Type 2 Charging Cable (Public Charging & home wallbox charger – Fast charging) 

How does the BWM i5 saloon perform – is it a good EV? 

•  40 Saloon –  this executive saloon has an 81.2 kWh lithium-ion battery. This will offer 0 – 62 times of 6.0 seconds, 120 mph top speeds and 250 kW (or 335 hp). This model is a RWD option. Expect a combined winter range of 250 miles with warmer weather allowing for 340 miles – 295 miles combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 45 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 206 kW DC maximum allowing 29 minute 10 – 80% times. The car has a cargo volume of 490L and vehicle fuel equivalent of 147 mpg. This i5 can tow 1500 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. The heat pump is standard. 

Want to know more about going into the BMW i5 Electric?

Head to our dedicated  BMW i5 special offers  section  or speak to our experts directly on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected].