The BMW Group has announced that it will introduce a bi-directional charging function capable of both storing and supplying electrical energy to the BMW Neue Klasse series, due to be launched in 2025.
With the unveiling of the Vision Neuer Klasse X, the BMW Group also announced the innovative bi-directional charging feature that will be introduced in the next generation of the series, ushering in a new era. The bi-directional charging technology enables the battery of an electric vehicle to be used extensively as an energy storage device.
The bi-directional charging function, which will be standard on the BMW Neuer Klasse, makes it possible to use the electric energy stored in the battery of an electric vehicle as a source of power for the home or to monetise it by selling it on the electricity market, or to use it as a high-voltage, high-capacity power bank for outdoor activities such as camping. This makes it easier for BMW customers to join the transition to the electric vehicle era and contribute to the use of renewable energy and sustainable practices.
Bi-directional charging technology is used in three main ways. The first is vehicle to home (V2H), where the car's high-voltage battery can be utilised as an energy storage device and used as a source of power in the home. For example, the power generated by a photovoltaic system can be stored in the car's battery via the BMW DC Wallbox Professional, which can then be used to power electronics in the home to reduce energy bills.
The second is Vehicle to Grid (V2G), where the electric energy left in the car's battery after driving can be fed back into the grid and sold on the electricity market. In Europe, this process is managed by BMW's partner E.ON, which enables customers to earn money. This feature is available in markets where the necessary regulations and procedures are in place.
Finally, V2L (Vehicle to Load) means using the electrical energy stored in the car as a power source for external electronics. The BMW Neuer Klasse can be used as a mobile, high-capacity, high-voltage auxiliary battery to charge an e-bike, for example, or as a power source for electronic devices while camping. The My BMW app provides convenient and intuitive control of V2L functions and makes it easy to manage the 'BMW Connected Home Charging' ecosystem.
Bi-directional charging technology will contribute to improving the reliability of electricity supply, increasing the use of renewable energy, and reducing the operation of fossil-fuelled power plants. This technology will make electric mobility an integral part of the energy revolution and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire process of mobility and power generation.
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