Tesla Model 3 and Model Y get home backup, with a catch

Electrek reports that Tesla has enabled Powershare Home Backup for the Model 3 and Model Y. Until now, only the Cybertruck could send power back to a house. This puts bidirectional charging on Tesla's two best-selling cars.

There are strings attached. According to Electrek, you need a Powerwall 3 at home and a Wall Connector. Tesla only guarantees the feature on cars ordered in the U.S. and Puerto Rico since October 1. Older cars may have it if the onboard inverter is there, but it's not guaranteed. Owners can check on the touchscreen under Software for "Powershare Support."

Plug the car into the Wall Connector, and when the grid goes down, the car's battery extends your backup. Tesla says a Model 3 or Model Y adds "over two days" of backup for a home using 30 kWh a day, starting at 90% charge. The system maxes out at 11.52 kW continuous output.

Ford and GM have been selling EVs with home backup for years. The F-150 Lightning launched with 9.6 kW output in 2022. GM offers it across its Ultium lineup. Tesla's own timeline slipped. At Investor Day in March 2023, then-executive Drew Baglino said bidirectional charging could come "within the next two years." It's now late 2026.

From a wallet perspective, this is good news if you are already in the Powerwall ecosystem. No extra hardware beyond what you already have. But tying the feature to Powerwall 3 is a clear move to protect home battery sales. Tesla missed its own deadline and is still behind Ford and GM on availability. Still, for new buyers who already plan on a Powerwall, it is a nice bonus. For everyone else, the cost of adding a Powerwall 3 makes this a premium add-on, not a standard feature.

• bidirectional charging
• home backup
• Model 3
• Model Y
• Powershare
• Tesla