“V2X in Germany: Solved on paper, scheduled for later” – Markus Hackmann, P3 Group
"There are a few things that need to be addressed openly and honestly—things that aren’t yet perfect, and for which we all need to work extremely hard to improve them," said Markus Hackmann, CEO of P3 Group’s E-Mobility division, as he began his presentation on V2X at electrive LIVE. In it, the industry expert provided a nuanced overview of two-way charging in Germany.
The energy transition currently faces not a shortage of green power generation, but rather challenges in making effective use of flexibility options. Millions of electric vehicles could serve as mobile storage systems to balance grid fluctuations and store excess electricity—this is known as bidirectional charging. According to P3’s calculations, by 2035, around 700 gigawatt-hours of energy and 130 gigawatts of capacity could be made available through vehicle batteries. This amounts to ten times the capacity of the gas power plants currently under discussion.
Hackmann emphasized that the technical prerequisites have long been met. “The technology is available. From my perspective, energy generation is no longer the issue; rather, it’s the utilization of flexibility that matters.” To enhance this value, however, clearer interfaces and standardized guidelines are needed so that vehicles, buildings, and the power grid can interact seamlessly.
V2X: High cost efficiency and falling hardware costs
In addition to the systemic advantages, two-way charging also offers significant financial incentives for end consumers. Through intelligent control (Vehicle-to-Home) and participation in the energy market (Vehicle-to-Grid), annual earnings can be achieved depending on the charging duration. Under optimal conditions, earnings of up to 1,200 euros per year are realistic, while more conservative scenarios yield around 900 euros.
Currently, the purchase cost of bidirectional wall chargers remains a barrier. While standard unidirectional AC wall chargers are available for less than 1,000 euros, BiDi DC systems still cost between 2,500 and 5,000 euros today. However, Hackmann expects significant price reductions to around 600 to 1,200 euros due to future economies of scale in mass production.
Good news regarding battery health
A key concern among skeptics remains the fear that frequent charging and discharging will reduce the lifespan of the drive battery. P3 addressed this worry with data from a comprehensive analysis conducted alongside Aviloo. The analysis of 7,000 measured vehicles shows that the batteries are far more durable than generally assumed. Even after 300,000 kilometers of driving, they still retain on average around 88 percent of their original capacity.
With a managed charging process, the additional strain from V2X has minimal impact. The system causes only an average of 40 extra cycles per year. “The batteries are much, much better than their reputation suggests. And they handle Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid functions quite well,” clarified Hackmann. Fears of premature loss of warranty are unfounded.
Rapidly Eliminate Regulatory Barriers
To enable V2X to transition quickly from the testing phase to the mass market in Germany, Hackmann believes policymakers and network operators bear primary responsibility. Urgent actions include accelerating the deployment of smart meters, eliminating double taxation on energy feed-in, and harmonizing European laws.
“We must definitely align all existing standards at the EU level so that it works.” The set deadline of October 2027 must be strictly adhered to to ensure investment certainty. If the gap between regulations and practice can be closed, electric fleets could become a cornerstone of the energy system.
Would you like to watch the entire presentation? Please use the video player above the article or visit YouTube.