BMW is accelerating its push into smart energy by deepening its partnership with SOLARWATT. The two companies are now advancing Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, bringing a more integrated and cost-efficient energy ecosystem to electric vehicle owners.
With the arrival of Neue Klasse models like the BMW iX3 and BMW i3, BMW is officially rolling out bidirectional charging technology—allowing EVs to do far more than just drive.
A Major Step Beyond Charging
Following Germany’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering introduced in early 2026, BMW is now expanding into V2H. This means compatible EVs can store energy and feed it back into a home when needed, effectively turning the car into a mobile power bank.
The system works through the BMW Wallbox Professional, paired with SOLARWATT’s Home Energy Management System (HEMS). Together, they create a seamless connection between:
– Solar panels (PV systems)
– Home battery storage
– Household energy consumption
– The electric vehicle itself
The result is a fully synchronized energy ecosystem designed to maximize efficiency and reduce reliance on the grid.
How the System Works
At the center of this setup is the SOLARWATT Manager, which intelligently controls energy flows throughout the home. It optimizes when energy is stored, used, or fed back—based on real-time demand, solar production, and electricity pricing.
The electric vehicle becomes an active part of the system:
– Stores excess solar energy during the day
– Supplies power back to the home during peak demand
– Helps reduce electricity costs through smart energy distribution
This integration also supports dynamic electricity tariffs and solar forecasting, further improving cost savings and energy independence.
Lower Costs, Higher Energy Independence
By combining EV storage with home battery systems, households can significantly boost self-consumption of solar energy. This reduces dependence on expensive grid electricity and enhances overall energy resilience.
The concept is simple but powerful: instead of installing larger home batteries, homeowners can use their EV as an additional storage unit—maximizing the value of both assets.
Flexible and Open Ecosystem
One notable advantage of the SOLARWATT system is its flexibility. While optimized for its own products, the platform also supports third-party home storage solutions. This allows users to expand their setup over time without being locked into a single ecosystem.
Control is handled via the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home app, giving users full visibility and control over their energy usage.
Launch Timeline and Market Availability
The integrated V2H solution is scheduled to launch in late 2026 across key European markets, including: Germany, Austria and The Netherlands.
This rollout marks another step toward mainstream adoption of bidirectional charging in Europe.
Why This Matters for the EV Market
Bidirectional charging is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of the energy transition. When aggregated, EV batteries represent a massive, distributed energy storage network. Properly integrated, they can:
– Stabilize power grids
– Improve renewable energy adoption
– Reduce infrastructure strain
– Provide cost-effective energy storage at scale
BMW’s approach positions its Neue Klasse lineup not just as transportation—but as a critical part of the home energy ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture
BMW and SOLARWATT have been working together since 2013, steadily expanding their collaboration from EV charging to full energy integration. With this latest development, both companies are doubling down on a future where cars, homes, and energy systems operate as one.
As electrification grows, solutions like V2H will play a key role in making EV ownership more practical, economical, and sustainable.
