Using Tesla Powershare as home backup power
Summary
Powershare lets a compatible Tesla vehicle power your home during an outage. It needs Tesla backup equipment that safely separates the house from the grid, plus a compatible Tesla Wall Connector (the required equipment depends on the vehicle), all installed with a permit and utility notice. We plan and install the electrical side and coordinate the manufacturer-certified installation where the system requires one, as the Powerwall 3 does.
How it works
When the grid goes down, the backup equipment disconnects your home from the utility and lets the vehicle feed your circuits. When power returns, it switches back. This isolation is what makes it safe for utility workers.
The required equipment depends on the vehicle. Cybertruck can use a Powershare Gateway with a Universal Wall Connector, without a Powerwall. Model 3 and Model Y require a Powerwall 3 and a Universal Wall Connector or Wall Connector (Gen 3), and support is guaranteed only for US vehicles ordered on or after October 1, 2026. Some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built before that date have the hardware; the car's Software screen, under Additional Vehicle Information, shows Powershare Support if it does. Tesla maintains the current list of vehicles (opens an external site) that support Powershare home backup.
What the installation includes
- Load calculation and choosing which circuits to back up
- Tesla backup equipment at your service entrance: a Powershare Gateway for Cybertruck, or a Powerwall 3 for Model 3 and Model Y
- Universal Wall Connector on a dedicated circuit; Model 3 and Model Y may instead use a Wall Connector (Gen 3)
- Electrical permit (opens an external site), inspection and utility paperwork
- Setup in the Tesla app and a test of the switchover (provisioning)
Before you decide
- Your panel and service may need an upgrade first
- Plan what must run in an outage (opens an external site): heating controls, refrigerator, sump pump, lights
- In co-ops, condos and multifamily buildings, the building must approve changes to the electrical service
Frequently asked questions
Is Powershare the same as a regular EV charger?
No. A regular charger only charges the car. Powershare also sends power from the car to the house, which needs extra equipment and a proper transfer setup.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. It is new electrical work at your service entrance, so it needs an electrical permit and an inspection.
Sources
3 sources
- Tesla Powershare (opens an external site)Tesla
- What Can Powershare Back Up (opens an external site)Tesla
- Electrical Permit (opens an external site)NYC Department of Buildings
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