The BMW Group has introduced a new Plug & Charge function to further simplify public charging of its electric vehicles and set a new standard for convenience and user-friendliness. Since March 16, customers in Germany have been able to charge their all-electric BMW or MINI directly at public direct current (DC) charging points using Plug & Charge without the need for a prior charging contract. The system uses the credit card stored with BMW or MINI: after logging in with the corresponding customer ID in the vehicle, the car automatically authenticates with the charging station when plugged in, and charging begins immediately. 

With this function, an additional app, a charging card or manual steps at the charging station are no longer necessary. The new feature can be set up in 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, which is also displayed in the vehicle and the app for supported charging stations. The costs are paid directly via the stored credit card, allowing drivers to retain full cost control and transparency at all times.

The offer is available to all Plug & Charge-capable BMW and MINI vehicles and, for the first time, makes Plug & Charge accessible to customer groups without an existing charging contract, including tourists and fleet- and company-car drivers who only temporarily log in to 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.

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