The plug-in hybrid drive combines a modern electric motor with 65 kW/88 hp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm with a four-cylinder combustion engine that produces 135 kW/184 hp and 290 Nm of torque. The BMW 330e can drive up to 40 km purely electrically. The purely electric top speed is 120 km/h.

In addition to the driving experience switch with the settings 'Sport', 'Comfort' and 'Eco Pro', the driver can also adjust the mode of operation of the eDrive to the respective vehicle use via a toggle switch in the center console. Three driving modes are available for this purpose:

• 'Auto eDrive': this mode ensures the best possible interaction between the combustion engine and electric motor in all driving situations, with a purely electric top speed of 80 km/h. By default, this mode is activated automatically every time the vehicle is restarted.
• 'MAX eDrive': In this mode, the BMW 330e drives purely electrically. It utilizes the full power of the electric drive and reaches a top speed of 120 km/h. As it can cover up to 40 km in this purely electric mode, the vehicle is suitable for commuters or residents of urban areas, for example. However, the combustion engine can be started at any time by pressing the accelerator pedal to the kickdown position.
• 'Save Battery': This mode makes it possible to deliberately keep the energy capacity of the battery constant or to increase it when the charge level is less than 50 percent. If required, this energy can then be used for purely electric driving on a section of road through city traffic, for example.

In addition, 'ConnectedDrive' can optimize the use of available electrical energy in conjunction with a navigation system: Here, the system supports the driver through predictive energy management and calculates an operating strategy that makes the best possible use of the plug-in hybrid drive depending on the driving and route profile. The system adapts the drive strategy to the entire route in such a way that local passages are passed purely electrically and, for example, electrical energy is used in uphill sections in order to be able to use the full recuperation potential on a subsequent downhill section.

Shortcoming: The 330e is certainly efficient on paper. And if you take the time to charge it and are traveling in an area with a good infrastructure, you can certainly have fun with electric driving. But: an electric car has to be charged electrically in order to drive it. A plug-in hybrid runs mainly on fossil fuels. The driver decides to what extent it is actually used electrically.