Bidirectional charging could be a game-changer for the energy transition—and your wallet. According to a recent study by Transport & Environment, bidirectional charging has the potential to save energy providers and EV drivers in the EU over €100 billion within the next decade. For individual EV owners, this translates to potential savings of over €700 annually.

But today, high public charging costs in many European countries are still making e-mobility less attractive to the broader population. How could bidirectional charging be the solution to reverse this trend? And how can bidirectional charging help unlock new opportunities for EV drivers and the energy system? We discuss this with Michael Keller, CTO of CharIN and a long-time advocate for e-mobility innovation.

Timeline:

• 05:03 Could you give us an overview of the current status of bidirectional charging in Europe? How far along are we compared to other regions like Japan or the U.S.?
• 07:07 Despite its potential, bidirectional charging seems to face significant hurdles in Europe. What are the main challenges—be it technical, regulatory, or market-related—that are slowing down its adoption?
• 12:39 How critical are universal standards like ISO 15118 in making bidirectional charging a success in Europe? What role does CharIN play in driving these standards forward?
• 14:53 How are European car manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and others, positioning themselves in this space? Are they leading or lagging behind?
• 17:57 What are the most compelling benefits for consumers, grid operators, and the broader industry in implementing bidirectional charging systems?

About The smarter E Podcast

Podcast

About Michael Keller and CharIN

Michael Keller is member of the Executive Board and CTO of the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN e.V.) and formerly heading the Volkswagen Group development coordination for Charging and charging infrastructure. He has more than 24 years’ experience in the automotive industry at suppliers and OEMs.

CharIN is the leading global association with over 300 members dedicated to promote standards in the field of charging systems for charging EVs of all types in as many parts of the world.

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