Fast, simple, transparent: BMW turns the car into a credit card for public charging

Munich. The BMW Group is further simplifying public charging of its electric vehicles and setting a new standard for convenience and user-friendliness.

Since March 16^th, customers in Germany have been able to charge their all-electric BMW or MINI directly at public DC charging points using Plug & Charge - without the need for a prior charging contract.

The credit card on file with BMW or MINI is used for this: After logging in with the corresponding customer ID in the vehicle, it automatically authenticates itself at the charging station when plugged in and the charging process starts immediately.

An additional app, charging card or manual steps at the charging station are therefore no longer necessary.

The new function can be set up in just a few steps via the Plug & Charge menu in the customer's my BMW or MINI app.

Billing is transparent and based on the provider's current ad hoc charging price - this price is also displayed in the vehicle and the app for supported charging stations.

The costs are paid directly via the stored credit card, so that drivers retain full cost control and transparency at all times.

The new offer is available to all Plug & Charge-capable BMW and MINI vehicles and, for the first time, also opens up Plug & Charge to customer groups without an existing charging contract - including tourists or fleet- and company-car drivers who only temporarily log into their vehicle with their BMW or MINI account.

The service launches with Mer Germany across over 1,400 charging points in Germany and Austria, enabled by Hubject's Plug&Charge ecosystem and payment facilitation. Further charging point operators and additional markets will gradually follow in the course of 2026.

With this offer, the BMW Group is emphasising its claim to make electric mobility not only sustainable, but also as simple and suitable for everyday use as possible.