EV CHARGING

New VW ID.4 Charging Features: Bidirectional, Plug-and-Charge

February 13, 2024

The plug-and-charge feature lets VW ID.4 drivers plug into Electrify America DC fast charging stations without having to use an app or swipe a credit card.
All ID.4 models with large battery packs will have the ability to use bidirectional charging to power their homes and appliances.
The ID.4 continues to be an affordable EV, especially as it’s one of a few that qualify for the 2024 IRA tax credit.

VW ID.4 drivers already get unlimited sessions of free charging at Electrify America DC fast charging stations, and those benefits are about to get even better. The partnership between Volkswagen and EA now includes plug-and-charge for added convenience.

Along with new EA benefits, VW drivers will also see improvements in charging conveniences and innovative bidirectional charging. These new benefits and capabilities paired with the $7,500 Inflation Reduction Act federal tax credit make the VW ID.4 an extremely attractive electric vehicle.

Plug-and-Charge: How It Will Work For VW ID.4 Owners

Electrify America charging stations are owned by Volkswagen, so the plug-and-charge capabilities make sense. This new feature will be available in early 2024 starting with the 2023 model year ID.4 EVs. Owners will activate a feature in their Electrify America smartphone app, and the next time they visit an EA DC fast charger, their ID.4 charging system will communicate with the charging station.

This benefit allows VW ID.4 owners to charge at all Electrify America DC fast charging stations without having to log into the app, share credit card data, or manually input payment data. The fast-charging system will use the VIN of each ID.4 to track charging and charge for any minutes that go over the complimentary 30 minutes already provided. This system is similar to how Tesla Supercharger stations bill Tesla drivers.

The Benefits of Bidirectional Charging

The VW ID.4 is the latest EV to add bidirectional charging capabilities. In a nutshell, this feature turns the ID.4 into a generator — as long as the EV battery is charged. The feature is only available in the models with the 82-kWh battery, and previously delivered ID.4 models need a quick software update to begin bidirectional charging.

This feature is beneficial for a variety of reasons. If you live in an area with frequent power outages, you can use your ID.4 as a power generator to keep your vital appliances functional. It is also helpful if you rely on solar or wind power.

On the days when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, you can use your ID.4 to supplement your off-grid energy sources. With an 82-kWh battery pack, you could easily power a home that uses approximately 30 kWh per day for two days. VW ID.4 bidirectional charging will stop functioning when 20% of the battery remains so that the vehicle keeps some remaining power for mobility.

VW ID.4 Charging Options

The VW ID.4 offers several options for convenient, affordable, and speedy at-home and on-the-road charging.

Convenient Charging at Home

As the majority of EV owners do most of their charging at home, VW has partnered with Electrify America to offer ID.4 drivers the HomeStation Level 2 Home Charger. This charger easily connects to Wi-Fi and the EA app, so it’s easy to update, start, and schedule your charging sessions.

The VW ID.4 Level 2 charger delivers 9.6 kWh at 40 amps — so you’ll charge your ID.4 in about eight hours, which is ideal for overnight charge-ups. The charging station also comes with its own 24-foot cable, so you won’t have to worry about using your VW ID.4 charging cable. The VW ID.4 home charger costs about $700 to purchase, and many homeowners will need to hire electricians to install the charger in a convenient location.

If you prefer to use your household outlet or a Level 1 outlet, you’ll need to use your VW ID.4 charging cable included with your vehicle. This slow charging adds around four miles per hour to your available Volkswagen ID.4 range.

Affordable Charging on the Road

The fastest VW ID.4 charging time would be found at a public DC fast charger. The cheapest option is at Electrify America stations, and they will add about 89 miles of range in 10 minutes. Since ID.4 drivers get 30 minutes of free charging for three years at EA stations, drivers can add about 260 miles of range during the free sessions if they plug into a 150-kW charging station to maximize the VW ID.4 charger speed of 118 kW.

Charging at a Tesla Supercharger

If an EA charger isn’t available, VW ID.4 drivers can visit other brands for a charge. Many drivers wonder if the VW ID.4 can charge at a Tesla Supercharger. The answer is mixed, as some Tesla Superchargers have a NACS-to-CCS Magic Dock converter, while others don’t. If the charging station has a Tesla Magic Dock, then it’s possible to plug the Tesla Supercharger cable into the VW ID.4 charging port.

In 2025, VW will begin building EVs with the NACS charging port so that all models can easily use the Tesla Supercharger network. The Chargeway app will show you Tesla Magic Dock locations.

Save Money on a New VW ID.4

With three years of free charging and the full $7,500 tax credit, the Volkswagen ID.4 has become one of the more affordable EVs for sale in North America. Volkswagen manufactures the ID.4 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and installs batteries made with components also manufactured in the United States.

The MSRP on the 2023 VW ID.4 Standard is $38,995. This entry-level trim comes with a 62-kWh battery pack and rear-wheel drive. The next trim is the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery pack and rear-wheel drive. It has an MSRP of $43,995. The most expensive model is the ID.4 Pro S Plus with a big battery, all-wheel drive, and an MSRP of $51,445 — which is still lower than some other EV brands’ entry-level prices.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the eligible vehicles for the new 2024 EV tax credit. Remember that tax credits are awarded to EV buyers who meet personal financial requirements. Single filers must have an adjusted gross income of $150,000 annually, and married filers must have an adjusted gross income under $300,000. The EV tax credit for 2024 is now given at the point of purchase rather than when you file your tax return the next year.

The 2023 and 2024 VW ID.4 charging systems must have a battery supplied by SK. You can find this information on the vehicle’s window sticker. The models with all-wheel drive, an S trim, or the 62-kWh battery have SK batteries. Some 2023 models have batteries made by LG, and those do not qualify for the tax credit as LG batteries have components made in China.