BMW and E.On are launching Germany’s first commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) offering for private customers.

Thanks to bidirectional charging, the BMW iX3 becomes an active participant in the energy market, able not only to consume electricity but also to feed energy back into the grid when needed. This offering represents a technological and market milestone, seamlessly integrating electromobility with the energy transition. For the first time in Germany, electric vehicles can be used as flexible energy storage units in everyday life.

The V2G offering enables users to benefit from bidirectional charging: the high-voltage battery of the iX3 can flexibly supply energy back to the grid via the BMW Wallbox Professional. Intelligent energy management is provided in collaboration with E.On, supported by a s V2G electricity tariff that facilitates the flow of energy in both directions.

The underlying software was jointly developed by BMW and E.On. The service is not only user-friendly but also financially attractive: those who make their vehicle battery available for smart charging and discharging can earn an annual bonus of up to €720. This lets them drive up to 14,000km per year at no charging cost while actively supporting the energy transition.

“What our customers need is a reliably charged vehicle, simple, convenient, and at attractive costs,” said Marc Spieker, board member at E.On. “That’s exactly what we provide, and more. Together with BMW, E.On is bringing vehicle-to-grid directly to the people. Neue Klasse meets new energy! This is how we unlock the potential of the vehicle for each individual’s personal energy future. We combine charging convenience with tangible economic benefits. And, as a bonus, every connected vehicle can help lower the overall costs of the energy system for the benefit of all.”

Joachim Post, Board member at BMW, added: “With the Neue Klasse, BMW makes the car an active part of the energy system, creating tangible customer value. Vehicle-to-grid reduces the mobility costs of the customer through new revenue opportunities, while driving the future of electric mobility.”

The V2G offering marks a milestone in coupling the energy sectors of mobility and electricity: the vehicle becomes an integral part of a virtual storage system that can better integrate renewable energies and thus support the energy system.

With every hour plugged in, the bonus account is credited and can be viewed at any time. There is no minimum connection time. Every minute the BMW iX3 is connected counts and, additionally, the energy fed back into the grid is fairly compensated. Customers retain full control and can set their charging goals to ensure their mobility needs are always met.

Intelligent functions ensure the high-voltage battery is always kept at an optimum level for its lifetime. The high-voltage batteries of the vehicles support the energy system during periods of surplus power or generation shortfalls. V2G promotes the use of renewable energies and reduces the long-term costs of the energy system.

The technology for bidirectional charging will first be available on the market with the BMW iX3 (www.bmwgroup.com/en/company/neue-klasse.html#the-new-bmw-ix3) and will gradually be introduced across additional BMW models.

In the long term, the product is planned to be integrated into a comprehensive energy platform that intelligently connects charging infrastructure, photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and smart home systems. The partnership between BMW (www.bmw.com) and E.On (www.eon.com) is said to lay the foundation for such an open, interoperable and customer-centric ecosystem.