BMW Expands SOLARWATT Partnership to Launch Smart Bidirectional EV Charging in Europe

BMW has announced an expanded collaboration with SOLARWATT to strengthen intelligent home energy integration and EV charging capabilities in Germany. The partnership will support the rollout of bidirectional charging technology in BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicle lineup, including future models such as the BMW iX3 and i3. By integrating the vehicle more closely with household energy systems, BMW aims to improve energy efficiency, optimize electricity usage, and support greater energy independence for customers using renewable power at home.

The new setup uses the SOLARWATT Manager as the central control unit connecting the electric vehicle, wall charger, home battery system, and household energy infrastructure. The platform manages how energy is generated, stored, and consumed within the home environment. Through this integration, energy flows can be optimized automatically depending on electricity demand, solar generation levels, and charging requirements. BMW stated that the Vehicle-to-Home functionality is scheduled to become available from late 2026 across Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The combined system allows EVs to act as temporary energy storage units by storing excess solar electricity and feeding it back into the home when required. This capability improves flexibility for residential energy management while helping users reduce dependency on the grid during peak demand periods. The system also supports dynamic electricity pricing, enabling charging sessions to be optimized based on energy costs and solar generation forecasts. BMW noted that these functions are intended to improve operational savings while increasing the efficiency of home energy usage.

Users will be able to manage charging operations and household energy settings through the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home application. The integration is designed to provide centralized monitoring and simplified control for customers using connected energy ecosystems. In addition, the SOLARWATT platform remains open to compatibility with third-party home battery systems, allowing users to expand or customize their residential energy infrastructure over time without being restricted to a single hardware ecosystem.

The partnership project is expected to continue progressing following its upcoming presentation at Intersolar Europe. BMW and SOLARWATT plan to gradually expand the system’s capabilities ahead of the commercial launch phase scheduled later this year. The collaboration reflects the growing focus within the automotive and energy sectors on combining electric mobility with intelligent residential energy management systems to improve sustainability and energy efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BMW’s new bidirectional charging partnership with SOLARWATT?
BMW and SOLARWATT are working together to integrate bidirectional charging into BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicles. The system enables Vehicle-to-Home functionality, allowing EVs to store solar energy and supply electricity back to the house when required. Using the SOLARWATT Manager, the setup connects the vehicle, charger, battery storage, and home energy infrastructure into a unified ecosystem. The technology is expected to launch in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands from late 2026, helping users optimize energy consumption and improve home energy efficiency.

How does BMW Vehicle-to-Home technology improve energy management?
BMW’s Vehicle-to-Home technology allows electric vehicles to become part of the household energy system by storing surplus solar electricity and returning it to the home during periods of higher demand. The integrated platform uses charging schedules, electricity prices, and solar forecasts to optimize energy use automatically. This can lower electricity costs, improve energy flexibility, and reduce dependence on the power grid. The system also supports app-based monitoring and management, giving users centralized control over charging and residential energy operations.