BMW introduces Plug & Charge payment for EV charging

BMW launches Plug & Charge in Germany, enabling EVs to pay for charging automatically via stored cards, removing apps and contracts. Learn how it works.

BMW has effectively turned its electric vehicles into a payment tool: charging now starts immediately after plugging in, with costs automatically charged to a stored credit card.

The company has launched a new Plug & Charge payment function in Germany that removes familiar steps such as apps, cards, and even the need for a charging contract. Once users log into their BMW or MINI account in the vehicle, the system automatically identifies the car at the charging station and begins the charging process. Pricing is displayed in advance and billed according to the operator’s current tariff.

This approach significantly simplifies the user experience. It brings public charging closer to the logic of contactless payments, where the entire process is reduced to a single action — plugging in the cable. This is particularly relevant for temporary users such as tourists, company car drivers, or fleet users, who no longer need to sign contracts or navigate local charging services.

Technically, the solution is based on the ISO 15118 standard, which enables secure communication between the vehicle and the charging station through encrypted digital certificates. The entire process — from authentication to billing — runs automatically within a protected infrastructure. Several players are involved in this ecosystem: BMW as the automaker, Mer Germany as the charging network operator, and Hubject as the platform enabling interoperability and data exchange.

At launch, the service is available at more than 1,400 charging points across Germany and Austria. BMW plans to expand the network to additional operators and markets throughout 2026. This reflects a broader industry trend: Plug & Charge is increasingly seen as a potential standard that could replace fragmented access systems in public charging infrastructure.

At the same time, the technology still depends on support from all participants — vehicles, charging stations, and operators. Expanding infrastructure and onboarding new partners remain essential for wider adoption.