Power2Drive 2026 Munich and the future of charging infrastructure

Electric mobility is increasingly evolving from a purely vehicle-related issue into a central component of modern energy systems. As the number of electric vehicle registrations rises, so too do the demands on charging infrastructure, grid integration and smart energy use. Power2Drive 2026 in Munich addresses this development and focuses on the technologies, concepts and business models designed to enable the further expansion of electric mobility.

Articles on Power2Drive Europe 2026 in Munich

The focus is not solely on charging stations. Rather, it centres on the interplay between vehicles, buildings, electricity grids, battery storage systems and digital control systems. The industry increasingly views electric mobility as part of a connected energy system in which electricity is not only consumed but can also be stored and used flexibly.

Charging infrastructure is expanding beyond traditional charging points

The expansion of public and private charging points remains a key issue. At the same time, the demands placed on the infrastructure are changing. Operators now expect systems that can be efficiently integrated into existing energy and building concepts. Demand for fast-charging infrastructure is growing particularly strongly along major transport routes and at commercial locations. Companies are increasingly investing in their own charging facilities for staff, customers and vehicle fleets. It is not only charging capacity and availability that play a role here, but also the intelligent control of energy flows. Key topics include:

• Fast-charging infrastructure for public locations
• Charging solutions for businesses and commercial use
• Fleet management for electric vehicles
• Load management to prevent grid overloads
• Digital platforms for operation and billing

Bidirectional charging is gaining in importance

A key focus of this year’s event is bidirectional charging. This enables electric vehicles not only to draw electricity, but also to feed it back into a building or the electricity grid when required. This turns vehicle batteries into mobile storage units. During periods of high electricity generation, they can store energy, whilst supplying electricity during periods of higher demand. This concept is regarded as a key building block for the integration of renewable energies. Various areas of application are particularly relevant here:

• Vehicle-to-Home for supplying buildings
• Vehicle-to-Building for commercial applications
• Vehicle-to-Grid to support electricity grids
• Flexible use of vehicle batteries as storage
• Energy management between vehicles and buildings

Fleet electrification is transforming the mobility market

Alongside private vehicles, the electrification of commercial fleets is increasingly coming into focus. Companies face the challenge of economically integrating charging infrastructure, energy supply and vehicle operations. Logistics companies, tradespeople, delivery services and company car fleets are investing more heavily in electric vehicles. This is driving up demand for smart charging solutions capable of supplying multiple vehicles simultaneously and avoiding peak loads. Modern software platforms play a key role in this. They coordinate charging processes, take electricity prices into account and optimise vehicle availability. The combination of charging infrastructure and digital fleet management is therefore one of the most dynamic areas in the industry.

Photovoltaics, energy storage and electric mobility are converging

Another key focus is on linking charging infrastructure with photovoltaics and battery storage systems. More and more companies and private operators want to use locally generated solar power directly to charge electric vehicles. This gives rise to integrated energy systems in which generation, storage and consumption are closely interlinked. Battery storage systems take on the task of temporarily storing surplus energy and making it available at a later time. Of particular interest are concepts in which:

• Photovoltaic systems supply charging points
• Battery storage reduces peak loads
• Energy management systems control energy flows
• Electric vehicles serve as additional storage
• Electricity costs are reduced through self-consumption

Digitalisation and smart control are shaping development

As the charging infrastructure grows, so too does the importance of digital solutions. Operators require systems capable of monitoring charging processes, analysing energy flows and automating processes. Digital platforms enable the management of large networks of charging points, billing for different user groups and the optimisation of energy use. At the same time, data is increasingly being used to manage capacity utilisation, maintenance and grid connections more efficiently. Digitalisation thus lays the foundation for scalable charging infrastructure. Without smart control, many of the planned expansion phases would be significantly more difficult to implement, both economically and technically.

Electric mobility is becoming part of a connected energy system

Power2Drive 2026 demonstrates the rapid pace at which electric mobility is evolving. The focus is no longer solely on vehicles or charging stations, but on the interplay between different technologies. Fast-charging infrastructure, bidirectional charging, fleet electrification, energy management and the integration of photovoltaics, battery storage and charging points are this year’s key themes. They highlight that electric mobility is increasingly being viewed as an integral part of a comprehensive energy system. The smart interconnection of energy generation, storage and mobility is therefore set to be one of the key developments in the coming years.