{"id":12784,"date":"2025-12-05T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T07:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.phoenixcontact-emobility.com\/?p=12784"},"modified":"2025-12-10T14:32:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:32:27","slug":"vde-study-focus-on-bidirectional-charging-and-charging-infrastructure-suitable-for-everyday-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phoenixcontact-emobility.com\/en\/news-and-events\/charging-infrastructure\/vde-study-focus-on-bidirectional-charging-and-charging-infrastructure-suitable-for-everyday-use\/","title":{"rendered":"VDE study: Focus on bidirectional charging and charging infrastructure suitable for everyday use"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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E<\/span>-mobility plays a key role in climate protection, the energy transition, and industrial value creation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Overview of the VDE study<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The latest study “Energiegeladen in die Zukunft<\/a><\/span>” by the VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic\u00a0<\/span>&<\/span>\u00a0Information\u00a0<\/span>Technologies) highlights the role of e-mobility as\u00a0a central component\u00a0of the energy transition and climate neutrality by 2045.\u00a0<\/span>The study explains how electric vehicles can not only decarbonize\u00a0transport, but\u00a0also act as an integral part of a flexible energy system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Key elements of the study are bidirectional charging and a comprehensive, charging infrastructure suitable for everyday use.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bidirectional charging<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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More flexibility in the energy system<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A key topic of the VDE study is the ability of electric vehicles not only to charge electricity, but also to feed energy back into the power grid or into\u00a0<\/span>buildings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0In\u00a0<\/span><\/span>bidirectional charging<\/span><\/span><\/a>, the\u00a0<\/span>electric<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>vehicle<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>acts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as<\/span>\u00a0a mobile\u00a0<\/span>energy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>storage<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>device<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>With vehicle-to-grid (V2G), energy from the vehicle battery is fed into the public grid as needed, while with vehicle-to-home (V2H), the vehicle’s energy is used to power a home.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Legal framework for bidirectional charging from 2026<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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On November 13, 2026, the German Bundestag passed a significant amendment to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG): From 2026, economical bidirectional charging will be possible, paving the way for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) in Germany.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

By\u00a0eliminating\u00a0double charges for grid fees and exempting electricity from tax, bidirectional charging will become more attractive to consumers and support the expansion of e-mobility. Dr. Marcus Bollig, General Manager of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry), explains in his VDA commentary dated November 14, 2025, that bidirectional charging is a key technology for the future, both in terms of the attractiveness of e-mobility and for a networked energy system. [Source:\u00a0<\/span>VDA commentary on bidirectional charging | VDA].<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Charging infrastructure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Suitability for everyday use and nationwide expansion<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The study also makes it clear that without a comprehensive, high-performance charging infrastructure, e-mobility will fall short of its potential. Fast charging points and uniform standards for communication and billing are particularly important.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With the AFIR Regulation, the European Union is setting binding framework conditions for the comprehensive expansion of the charging infrastructure. By 2030, a charging station with a minimum capacity of 350 kW is to be installed along all major trade routes at intervals of 60 to 100\u00a0kilometers\u00a0to enable truck drivers to charge efficiently during their rest periods. In addition, the charging infrastructure will be supplemented by\u00a0additional\u00a0charging points at parking lots and urban transport hubs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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VDE e-mobility Conference 2025<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The VDE study “Energiegeladen in die Zukunft<\/a><\/span>” was presented for the first time at the\u00a0<\/span>VDE E-mobility Conference 2025<\/span><\/a>. Experts from politics, industry, and research discussed the importance of e-mobility as the key to the energy and mobility transition.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The focus was on topics\u00a0such as:\u00a0comprehensive charging infrastructure, bidirectional charging, and megawatt charging for utility vehicles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Megawatt charging: CCS or MCS?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In his presentation at the\u00a0<\/span>VDE E-mobility Conference 2025<\/span><\/a>, Michael Heinemann, CEO of Phoenix Contact e-mobility, made it clear that the discussion about CCS (Combined Charging System) and MCS (Megawatt Charging System) is not an either\/or question.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Megawatt charging can refer both to the technical standard (MCS \u2013 Megawatt Charging System) and to the actual performance capability, i.e., the ability to charge at megawatt levels.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Michael Heinemann, CEO of Phoenix Contact E-Mobility, during his presentation at the VDE E-mobility Conference 2025<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Combined Charging Standard (CCS) can already achieve\u00a0<\/span>megawatt charging<\/span>\u00a0today and is suitable for charging electric trucks.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0CCS\u00a0charging network is already well developed: in 2025, there will be approximately 105,000 publicly installed DC fast charging points in Germany [source: EAFO, as of September 29, 2025, EU-27].\u00a0<\/span>However, this does not mean that the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is not needed, Heinemann emphasizes. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) plays\u00a0an important role, especially at transport hubs for e-trucks.\u00a0<\/span>According to a recent study by the ICCT<\/span>, it<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>assumed that around one-third of publicly installed charging points for e-trucks will be equipped with MCS technology.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The market therefore needs both systems:\u00a0<\/span>CCS\u00a0remains\u00a0sufficient for many applications, while MCS addresses future high-performance requirements, especially for heavy utility vehicles. It is not a question of competition, but of parallel existence and meeting different requirements in line with demand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How can a charging infrastructure suitable for everyday use be made possible?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A charging infrastructure suitable for everyday use is characterized\u00a0above all by\u00a0short charging times and high availability. While AC charging takes around eight hours, modern DC charging reduces the charging time to around one hour. Thanks to\u00a0<\/span>High Power Charging,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0electric vehicles can now be charged in less than 15\u00a0minutes, and\u00a0charging powers up to the megawatt limit are now possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The progress made in expanding the charging infrastructure shows that the potential of fast charging technology is far from being fully realized, as can also be seen from the latest developments in CCS (Combined Charging System) and MCS (Megawatt Charging System). Standardization and continuous development of charging technology are particularly\u00a0important factors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Since its establishment in 2018, the\u00a0<\/span>CharIN Task Force “Megawatt Charging System (MCS)”<\/span><\/a>\u00a0has been working to develop technical requirements and recommendations for the MCS charging system\u00a0in order to\u00a0significantly improve the flexibility and everyday usability of fully electric utility vehicles. The aim is to increase the acceptance of e-mobility, especially in the commercial vehicle sector, in a sustainable way through uniform standards and high-performance systems. Phoenix Contact is heavily involved in this task force: Since 2020, the company has been promoting the global nomination of the MCS connector in IEC TS 63379 by leading the IEC’s international project team and the German mirror committee in the DKE.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Charging infrastructure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Both charging standards, CCS and MCS, are equally in demand as they serve different requirements. Their coexistence is a clear sign that e-mobility is focused on flexibility and sustainability. In addition, the attractiveness of e-mobility is being promoted by the new legal framework for bidirectional charging.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore about the VDE study<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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FAQ<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What does bidirectional charging mean and why is it important for the energy transition? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bidirectional<\/span>\u00a0charging\u00a0<\/span>describes<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>ability<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>electric<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>vehicles<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0not only\u00a0<\/span>charge<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>electricity<\/span>, but also\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>feed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>energy<\/span>\u00a0back\u00a0<\/span>into<\/span>\u00a0the power\u00a0<\/span>grid<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>into<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>buildings<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>This turns electric vehicles into decentralized energy storage devices that help stabilize the power grid and support the integration of renewable energies. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) in particular make electric cars an active part of the energy system and support the energy transition<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What legal framework will apply to bidirectional charging in Germany from 2026? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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From<\/span>\u00a02026, an\u00a0<\/span>amendment<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) will\u00a0<\/span>enable<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>economical<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>bidirectional<\/span>\u00a0charging in Germany.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>This paves the way for vehicle-to-grid (V2G). Consumers will\u00a0<\/span>benefit<\/span>\u00a0from the elimination of double charges for grid fees and exemption from electricity tax, which will make bidirectional charging more attractive and promote the expansion of e-mobility.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How does the EU's AFIR regulation contribute to the expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The European\u00a0<\/span>Union’s<\/span>\u00a0AFIR\u00a0<\/span>regulation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>sets<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>binding<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>requirements<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>expansion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a0the charging\u00a0<\/span>infrastructure<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>By 2030, charging stations with a minimum capacity of 350 kW must be installed at intervals of 60 to 100\u00a0<\/span>kilometers<\/span>\u00a0along all major trade routes so that truck drivers can efficiently charge their vehicles during rest periods. In addition, the regulation provides for\u00a0<\/span>additional<\/span>\u00a0charging points at parking lots and urban transport hubs to further improve the everyday usability and availability of the charging infrastructure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t