BMW and energy company E.ON have launched what they describe as Germany’s first commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service for private customers, allowing drivers to feed electricity from their cars back into the grid. The offering will initially be available with the newly launched BMW iX3 and gradually extended to other models.
The iX3, unveiled last week as part of BMW’s “Neue Klasse” line-up, is the carmaker’s first series-production model to support bidirectional charging. Alongside vehicle-to-grid capability, it also offers vehicle-to-home (V2H) functions, enabling owners to power their households, particularly in combination with rooftop solar panels. The car can also serve as a power source for external devices (V2L).
Through E.ON’s specially developed V2G tariff and the BMW Wallbox Professional, customers will be able to discharge power back into the grid in a controlled way. The companies said the system will be integrated into a broader platform that connects charging, photovoltaics, heat pumps and smart home systems. BMW added that additional discharging will not reduce battery lifespan thanks to protective management functions.
“What our customers need is a reliably charged vehicle – simple, convenient and at an attractive cost. That’s exactly what we offer, and more,” said Marc Spieker, Chief Customer Officer at E.ON. “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, BMW board member responsible for development, said: “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.”
BMW and E.ON have cooperated on charging technologies since 2023, introducing solar-optimised charging in April 2024 and cost-optimised charging later that year. The V2G rollout marks the first time a BMW production model supports the technology.
