Powering the future: BMW and E.ON’s smart home charging revolution

Electric vehicles (EVs) are driving us toward a cleaner, greener future. And now, thanks to our innovative new partnership with BMW, the way we charge our vehicles at home is becoming smarter, more efficient and more sustainable.

Our new Connected Home Charging Plus solution is creating Europe’s first smart home charging ecosystem, combining advanced technology and dynamic tariffs, along with the ability to integrate solar energy and battery systems to make the most of renewable energy generated at home.

Charging smarter, not harder

The heart of this solution lies in intelligent home charging, where BMW EVs seamlessly integrate with home energy systems. Using the BMW Wallbox Plus and a Smart Energy Module, customers can charge their cars with surplus solar power generated from their home’s solar panels, which helps reduce overall electricity costs.

But it doesn’t stop there. With the Connected Home Charging Plus feature, we’re taking things further by offering cost-optimised charging. This feature takes into account dynamic electricity tariffs – prices that fluctuate throughout the day – and helps drivers to charge their cars when energy prices are at their lowest.

The process is as simple as it is clever. Through the My BMW app, users can set their car’s charging preferences, including departure times and required range. From there, the intelligent system uses real-time electricity prices, weather forecasts (to predict solar energy generation), and the specifics of the customer’s energy tariff to create an optimised charging schedule.

The new system is able to calculate the best time to power up, ensuring you’re using the cheapest and cleanest energy available. Whether it's overnight when power demand (and prices) are lower, or during sunny periods when your solar panels are at their peak, your car will automatically pick the ideal charging window. And, if you're juggling other household appliances like washing machines, the system will make sure your EV still gets the juice it needs without overloading your home’s energy use.

This means the car charges when it’s most effective to do so, ensuring it’s fully charged and ready to hit the road when needed. Plus, the app also lets you track and manage your energy use, giving you more control over your home’s energy efficiency.

A greener way to charge

Incorporating solar power into the charging process not only saves money but also contributes to a personal energy transition – moving away from reliance on the grid and making better use of renewable energy sources. For homeowners in Germany with solar systems, this can turn their electric car into a more integral part of a sustainable home setup.

Whether you’re aiming to reduce your carbon footprint or save on energy bills, this partnership delivers on both fronts, making best use of any surplus energy from the household PV system and driving a greener, more cost-effective way to keep your EV charged and ready to go.

As dynamic tariffs and renewable energy integration become more widespread, the expansion of this ecosystem to other markets is on the horizon. For now, BMW and E.ON’s innovative collaboration represents a glimpse into the future of home energy management—where vehicles and homes work together for a greener tomorrow.

By turning EVs into active participants in home energy systems, this partnership is more than just about mobility; it’s about reshaping how we think about energy, driving us toward a smarter, greener future