Until now, using a Tesla to power a house was a Cybertruck feature. That changed this week. Tesla has expanded Powershare Home Backup to the Model 3 and Model Y, so the car in your garage can act as a large backup battery for your home during an outage.
For homeowners in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where storms regularly knock out power for a day or more, this is a big deal. But there are hardware requirements, and not every Model 3 or Model Y will qualify.
Which Cars Qualify?
Tesla guarantees Powershare Home Backup on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered in the US or Puerto Rico on or after October 1, 2026. The feature depends on an onboard inverter Tesla calls PCS2 Lite.
Some earlier cars already have that hardware, but not all of them. To check yours, open the touchscreen and go to Software → Additional Vehicle Information, then look for "Powershare Support."
What Else Do You Need?
- A Powerwall 3. For Model 3 and Model Y, Powerwall 3 is required. Tesla says Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ support is "coming soon."
- A Tesla Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector. The car plugs into it like it does for normal charging.
- Activation by Tesla. Tesla support turns the feature on.
If you already have a Powerwall 3 and a Wall Connector, Tesla says no additional hardware is needed.
How Long Can the Car Power Your Home?
Tesla says a Model 3 or Model Y adds more than two days of backup for a home using 30 kWh per day, starting from a 90% charge (up to two days for Standard trims). A Cybertruck adds more than three days.
That's on top of the Powerwall itself. And if you have solar panels, they keep recharging the Powerwall during the day, so a home with solar, a Powerwall 3, and a qualifying Tesla can ride out a long outage far better than one with a battery alone.
What It Can't Do
Powershare on Model 3 and Model Y is for backing up your home only. Tesla says Grid Support is not available for these cars, so the car can't sell power back to PECO. Your solar panels still earn net metering credits and PA SRECs as usual.
Don't Drive a Tesla?
Powershare is Tesla-only. If you drive another brand, have EVs from more than one manufacturer, or might switch brands later, Sigenergy's V2X DC bidirectional charger is the more universal option. It works with compatible EVs including the Ford F-150 Lightning, bidirectional-capable Mercedes-Benz EQ models, and the Rivian R1T and R1S, and it pairs with Sigenergy's modular battery, which you can expand in small steps.
Not every manufacturer supports bidirectional charging yet, so we confirm your specific vehicle before recommending a setup.
The Bottom Line
If you have, or are about to order, a qualifying Model 3 or Model Y and plan to stay with Tesla, Powershare with a Powerwall 3 is now the simplest way to turn your car into whole-home backup. If you drive something else, Sigenergy V2X is usually the better fit.
See the full comparison on our V2X and EV home backup page, compare home batteries on our battery comparison page, or tell us what you drive and we'll recommend the right setup. You can also call 610-900-6405.
