Unveiled through the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, BMW's Neue Klasse architecture brings a long-awaited innovation to the table: bidirectional charging. While this technology has been available from other automakers for some time, BMW's adoption signals a significant stride in the EV market. With bidirectional charging, future BMW electric vehicles, including the iX3 SUV (expected in 2025) and i3 sedan (projected for 2026), will serve not only as vehicles but also as power banks for your household.

Bidirectional charging allows these EVs to supply power to various devices and appliances beyond just charging their own batteries. From household utilities to e-bikes and camping equipment, BMW's upcoming electric vehicles aim to integrate seamlessly into your lifestyle, enhancing convenience and versatility. What's more, BMW intends to include bidirectional charging as a standard feature, bucking the trend of luxury automakers charging extra for every add-on.

The transition to bidirectional charging coincides with advancements in battery technology. While current EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) utilize batteries with prismatic cells, BMW's next generation will feature round cells. This shift promises significant improvements, with BMW estimating a 30% increase in charging speed and range, along with a 20% boost in energy density. These sixth-generation batteries are poised to not only power your vehicle but also your household appliances, redefining the role of EVs in daily life.

BMW's rollout of bidirectional charging will occur in three stages. Initially, Vehicle to Home functionality will enable EV owners to power their households directly from their vehicles. Subsequently, Vehicle to Grid capabilities will allow surplus energy to be fed back into the grid, albeit subject to regulatory approval in certain regions. Finally, Vehicle to Load will enable the powering of external electrical equipment, further expanding the utility of BMW electric vehicles.