Following recent elections, Germany is in the process of forming a new government, and the direction of energy policy is set to evolve. While the political landscape is changing, bidirectional charging—an innovative technology that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw power from the grid but also return energy to it—remains a critical consideration for the country’s energy future. This technology is seen as a valuable tool for improving grid stability, integrating renewable energy, and enhancing sector coupling. The energy sector, alongside key energy suppliers, continues to play a crucial role in advancing its adoption.
As Robert Habeck concludes his tenure as Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the future of Germany's energy transition agenda remains in focus. While it is yet to be determined how the new government will prioritize specific initiatives like bidirectional charging, the potential benefits of the technology remain clear. Industry leaders, policymakers, and energy suppliers alike recognize that bidirectional charging holds promise for both the energy system and individual vehicle owners [1] .
At the second European Summit on Bidirectional Charging in October 2024, nearly 90 business and political leaders gathered to address the regulatory and technical challenges of large-scale implementation. A coalition of over 60 companies from the automotive, digital, and energy sectors presented critical data points and interfaces necessary for successful integration [2] . The involvement of energy suppliers remains essential to enabling the widespread deployment of bidirectional charging, with infrastructure development and grid integration key to its future success.
Public interest in bidirectional charging continues to rise. According to the EUPD SolarProsumerMonitor© 2024/2025, which surveyed over 6,000 photovoltaic (PV) system owners and planners, 25 percent of respondents—up from 16 percent in 2023—cited the absence of bidirectional charging as a barrier to recommending a battery electric vehicle (BEV)[3]. The growing demand for enhanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, combined with anticipated financial incentives and tax breaks for 2025, may help accelerate adoptio
Although the technology is ready for deployment, industry leaders stress the need for regulatory adjustments to facilitate its large-scale implementation. Recommendations include a simplified metering system, clear financial incentives, and a straightforward balancing mechanism to ensure vehicle owners can benefit from feeding energy back into the grid. Energy suppliers play a key role in this process, as their expertise in developing infrastructure will be vital to the effective integration of bidirectional charging. Additionally, a proposed legal testing environment could help collect real-world data, refining implementation strategies and ensuring the technology meets its full potential. These efforts will be crucial to strengthening Germany’s energy resilience and supporting the country’s long-term energy goals.
As the new government takes shape, the continued role of bidirectional charging in Germany’s energy system will depend on ongoing discussions and collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and energy suppliers. Establishing a supportive regulatory framework and financial incentives will be key to enabling the widespread adoption of this technology.
“Electric vehicles are no longer just a mode of transportation; they are becoming mobile storage units that can help stabilize the grid,” emphasized Robert Habeck, present Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. “This technology presents a win-win situation—benefiting both the energy system and vehicle owners alike.” [3]
On May 8, 2025, the 9th Energiewende Award ceremony will take place at The smarter E Europe in Munich, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry, to celebrate and honor the most innovative energy suppliers who have shown exceptional commitment and progress in promoting the energy transition. The initiators of the project are The smarter E Europe and EUPD Research.
Further information on the Energiewende Award can be found at www.energiewende-award.de .
If you have any questions, please contact Saif Islam (+49 (0) 228 504 36-20, islam@energiewende-award.de ) or Kim Wiersberg (+49 (0) 228 50435-55, k.wiersberg@eupd-research.com ).
Further information on The smarter E Europe can be found at www.thesmartere.de