Tesla Powershare is a "bi-directional charging" technology with the ability to supply power to a load from a Tesla vehicle. Potential loads include electrical tools and appliances, another Tesla or non-Tesla vehicle, and/or a home/building. As of December 2023, Powershare is available only via Tesla Cybertruck. [1] Similar facilities are available from automakers such as Ford, [2] General Motors, [3] and Kia. [4]
For vehicle to load (V2L) use and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) charging, Cyberbruck offers five power outlets :
For bidirectional charging scenarios (V2H/V2G), it offers more power on its NACS charging inlet (now also used as an outlet) via an internal bidirectional AC charger (240V, 48A, 11.52 kW).
Cybertruck comes with a 123 kwh or larger battery, which Tesla claimed should be sufficient to power a typical US house for about three days, given that the Cybertruck battery pack's capacity is the equivalent of roughly 10× Gen2/Gen3 Tesla Powerwalls. [1]
For home backup, Powershare delivers a maximum 11.5 kW continuous power at 240 V AC. LRA motor start is 110 Amps. [1] Its power outlets can deliver 9.6 kW in total to other loads. [5]
Powershare can be controlled using the Tesla phone App. [3]
Vehicle to AC loads (V2L): Devices such as power tools can be directly connected to the outlets in the truck. [1]
Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) AC charging: Charging another vehicle requires a Tesla Mobile Connector. [5] The vehicle to be charged needs a matching AC charging inlet, so eventually an SAE J1772 charging adapter between the plug of the Tesla Mobile Connector and the (AC) charging inlet of the other vehicle.
Vehicle to Home (V2H) via AC: Connecting a Tesla Powershare compatible vehicle to a home requires one of two setups: either a Tesla Powerwall and Tesla Wall Connector. [1] Alternatively, a Tesla Universal Wall Connector and Tesla Gateway, and optionally a Tesla Backup Switch can be used. [1] [3] With the Tesla Backup Switch, faster, more affordable installations are possible when approved by utility and jurisdiction. [1] The Tesla Wall Connector (without Universal in its name) alone is not marked as compatible with Tesla Powershare on the Tesla website, [6] in contrast to the Tesla Universal Wall Connector, which is stated as compatible. [7]
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) describes a system in which plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) sell demand response services to the grid. Demand services are either delivering electricity to the grid or reducing the rate of charge from the grid. Demand services reduce the peaks in demand for grid supply, and hence reduce the probability of disruption from load variations. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) are related, but the AC phase is not synchronised with the grid, so the power is only available to "off-grid" load.
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a system that integrates multiple, possibly heterogeneous, power resources to provide grid power. A VPP typically sells its output to an electric utility. VPPs allow energy resources that are individually too small to be of interest to a utility to aggregate and market their power. As of 2024, VPPs operated in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
NEMA connectors are power plugs and sockets used for AC mains electricity in North America and other countries that use the standards set by the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association. NEMA wiring devices are made in current ratings from 15 to 60 amperes (A), with voltage ratings from 125 to 600 volts (V). Different combinations of contact blade widths, shapes, orientations, and dimensions create non-interchangeable connectors that are unique for each combination of voltage, electric current carrying capacity, and grounding system.
A charging station, also known as a charge point, chargepoint, or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a power supply device that supplies electrical power for recharging plug-in electric vehicles.
SAE J1772, also known as a J plug or Type 1 connector after its international standard, IEC 62196 Type 1, is a North American standard for electrical connectors for electric vehicles maintained by SAE International under the formal title "SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler".
CHAdeMO is a fast-charging system for battery electric vehicles, developed in 2010 by the CHAdeMO Association, formed by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and five major Japanese automakers. The name is an abbreviation of "CHArge de MOve" and is derived from the Japanese phrase "o CHA deMO ikaga desuka" (お茶でもいかがですか), translating to English as "How about a cup of tea?", referring to the time it would take to charge a car.
IEC 62196Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles is a series of international standards that define requirements and tests for plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets for conductive charging of electric vehicles and is maintained by the technical subcommittee SC 23H “Plugs, Socket-outlets and Couplers for industrial and similar applications, and for Electric Vehicles” of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The Combined Charging System (CCS) is a standard for charging electric vehicles. It can use Combo 1 (CCS1) or Combo 2 (CCS2) connectors to provide power at up to 500 kilowatts (kW). These two connectors are extensions of the IEC 62196 Type 1 and Type 2 connectors, with two additional direct current (DC) contacts to allow high-power DC fast charging. In response to demand for faster charging, 400 kW CCS chargers have been deployed by charging networks and 700 kW CCS chargers have been demonstrated.
The IEC 62196-2 Type 2 connector is used for charging electric vehicles, mainly within Europe, as it was declared standard by the EU. Based on widespread red IEC 60309 three phase plugs with five pins, which come in different diameters according to maximum current, a single size was selected, as maximum possible power will be communicated to the car via two additional communication pins and by a simple resistor coding within the cable. The onboard charger inside the car has to limit the current accordingly.
The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary home energy storage product manufactured by Tesla Energy. The Powerwall stores electricity for solar self-consumption, time of use load shifting, and backup power.
Tesla Energy Operations, Inc. is the clean energy division of Tesla, Incorporated that develops, manufactures, sells and installs photovoltaic solar energy generation systems, battery energy storage products and other related products and services to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
The Tesla Powerpack was a rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary energy storage product, intended for use by businesses or on smaller projects from power utilities. The device was manufactured by Tesla Energy, the clean energy subsidiary of Tesla, Inc. The Powerpack stores electricity for time of use load shifting, backup power, demand response, microgrids, renewable energy integration, frequency regulation, and voltage control. The first prototype Powerpacks were installed in 2012 at the locations of a few industrial customers. After July 22, 2022, the product was no longer listed for sale.
SAE J3068 "Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System Using a Three-Phase Capable Coupler" is a North American recommended practice published and maintained by SAE International. J3068 defines electrical connectors and a control protocol for electric vehicles. It has the formal title "SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J3068". J3068 defines a system of conductive power transfer to an electric vehicle using a coupler capable of transferring single-phase and three-phase AC power as well as DC power, and defines a digital communication system for control. J3068 also specifies requirements for the vehicle inlet, supply equipment connector, mating housings and contacts.
The Tesla Cybertruck is a battery electric pickup truck built by Tesla, Inc. since 2023. Introduced as a concept vehicle in November 2019, it has a controversial body design reminiscent of low-polygon modelling, consisting of flat stainless steel sheet panels.
The GB/T charging standard is a set of GB/T standards, primarily in the GB/T 20234 family, for electric vehicle AC and DC fast charging used in China. The standards were revised and updated most recently in 2015 by the Standardization Administration of China. The term is an abbreviation of 国标推荐 (guóbiāo/tuījiàn), translated as "recommended/voluntary national standard".
The ChaoJi connector, also referenced as CHAdeMO 3.0, is an ultra-high-power charging standard charging electric cars, released in 2020. The connector has a lemniscate shape (∞), with a flat bottom edge and is planned for charging battery electric vehicles at up to 900 kilowatts using direct current. The design incorporates backward compatibility with CHAdeMO and the GB/T DC-charging, using a dedicated inlet adapter for each system. The circuit interface of ChaoJi is also designed to be fully compatible with the Combined Charging System, also known as CCS.
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a charging connector under development for large battery electric vehicles. The connector will be rated for charging at a maximum rate of 3.75 megawatts.
The Radar RD6 is an all-electric mid-size pickup truck produced by the Chinese automaker Geely under the Radar brand. It is built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). The interior shares many parts with the Geely Haoyue SUV. Radar Auto has its own R&D facility in Hangzhou and an EV plant in Zibo, Shandong.
The North American Charging System (NACS), standardized as SAE J3400, is an electric vehicle (EV) charging connector standard maintained by SAE International. Developed by Tesla, Inc., it has been used by all North American market Tesla vehicles since 2021 and was opened for use by other manufacturers in November 2022. It is backwards compatible with the proprietary Tesla connectors made before 2021.
A 48-volt DC electrical system voltage is a relatively low-voltage electrical system that is increasingly used in vehicles. It began in the 2010s as a way to increase the propulsion and battery recharge during braking for fuel savings in internal combustion engine vehicles, especially mild hybrid vehicles.