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Volkswagen Group subsidiary Elli has announced a comprehensive pilot project for bidirectional charging, a technology that allows electric vehicles to power private homes. Revealed at IAA Mobility 2025, the initiative aims to increase household energy independence and has the potential to reduce charging costs by up to 75 percent. The company has started recruiting participants in Germany for the program.
Key Highlights
- Launch of a pilot project in Germany for bidirectional EV charging, enabling vehicles to power homes.
- The technology can reduce home charging costs by up to 75% and increase energy self-sufficiency when paired with solar power.
- Recruitment is now open for select Volkswagen Group and OTOVO customers in Germany.
- The project will connect EV batteries to a “Managed Battery Network” (MBN) for stabilizing the power grid and trading energy.
Powering Homes with Electric Vehicles
The pilot project introduces an innovative system where EV batteries can function as home energy storage units. A key component is a legally compliant 11 kW bidirectional DC charger, developed with partner CUBOS, which integrates the vehicle with the home’s solar power system. This setup allows households to use self-generated solar energy stored in their vehicle’s battery.
This smart energy management is controlled through the Elli Charging app, which intuitively handles the flow of energy between the grid, the vehicle, and the home. By optimizing the use of self-generated solar power, customers can achieve significant savings on their electricity bills and gain greater independence from the traditional power grid.
Pilot Program Details and Eligibility
Elli is now accepting applications from Volkswagen Group customers and customers of solar panel provider OTOVO for its pilot initiative. The project is scheduled to launch in Germany in December 2025, with selected participants receiving a DC bidirectional charger.
To be eligible, vehicles must be built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. This includes select models from Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and CUPRA that have ID. Software 3.5 or higher and a 77 kWh battery. The pilot builds on the existing technical capabilities of these vehicles to bring bidirectional charging into private homes.
A Vision for European Energy Trading
Elli’s long-term mission is to commercialize bidirectional charging across Europe. To achieve this, the company is creating a “Managed Battery Network” (MBN), which operates as a virtual power plant (VPP). This smart energy system will optimize the use of renewable energy by storing it in EV batteries and large-scale storage systems.
Starting in 2026, Elli plans to connect several hundred decentralized EVs to its VPP, marketing the stored energy via its trading operations on the European Power Exchange (EPEX). This will help stabilize the grid against the volatility of renewable energy sources and support the continent’s energy transition. Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli, stated, “We’re bridging the gap between mobility and energy.”
Expanding Energy Storage Capabilities
In addition to the vehicle-to-home project, Elli is entering the large-scale energy storage business. The new Elli PowerCenter, set to be completed in Salzgitter in December, will feature a capacity of 20 MW and 40 MWh. The facility will use LFP battery packs from PowerCo and serve as a platform for energy trading and grid services, positioning Elli as a key provider of comprehensive energy and flexibility solutions.
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