For the first time, Tesla's two best-selling cars can keep the lights on at home during a blackout. Tesla Energy announced on X on Oct. 6 that Powershare Home Backup is now available for new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles paired with a Powerwall 3. Until now, the Cybertruck was the only Tesla that could send power back into a house.

Who actually gets it

The key word is "new." According to Tesla's Powershare page, as quoted by Electrek, the feature is guaranteed on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered in the U.S. and Puerto Rico on or after October 1, 2026. Tesla says "some, but not all" earlier cars also have the capability. EV Signal describes the cutoff as cars manufactured on or after Oct. 1; Tesla's own wording, per Electrek and AutoGuide, ties it to the order date. Either way, the deciding factor is hardware: a new bidirectional inverter Tesla calls PCS2 Lite, and Tesla has not said when it entered production on each trim.

To find out whether your car has it, go to Controls → Software → Additional Vehicle Information on the touchscreen and look for "Powershare Support: Enabled." If it is there, the car has the hardware. AutoGuide reports that Tesla service documents contain a draft procedure for swapping a Model Y's older PCS1 for PCS2 Lite, but Tesla has not announced a customer retrofit, so don't count on one.

What your home needs

  • A Powerwall 3. Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ support is "coming soon," Tesla says. There is no standalone option like the Powershare Gateway that Cybertruck owners can use.
  • A Wall Connector 3 or Universal Wall Connector. If you already have both pieces, Electrek reports no extra hardware is needed, but you have to contact Tesla support to turn the feature on.
  • U.S. or Puerto Rico only. Canada, Model S and Model X are not included, and selling power back to the grid (Powershare Grid Support) stays Cybertruck-only.

How much backup you get

Tesla says a Model 3 or Model Y charged to 90% adds "over two days" of backup for a home using 30 kWh a day on Premium and Performance trims, and "up to two days" on Standard trims. A Cybertruck is rated for more than three. Maximum continuous output with the Powerwall setup is 11.52 kW. AutoGuide notes the car acts as a backup to the backup: once the Powerwall drains, the car powers the house and refills the Powerwall.

Tesla is late here: Ford offered home backup on the F-150 Lightning in 2022, Electrek notes, and a Powerwall 3 installation can run into five figures, per AutoGuide.

What it means for owners: If you already own a Powerwall 3 and a Gen 3 or Universal Wall Connector, check the Additional Vehicle Information screen tonight. If Powershare Support shows enabled, call Tesla support to activate it. If you're shopping for a new Model 3 or Model Y and have outage worries, an order dated Oct. 1 or later is the only guaranteed way to get the hardware.