Homes that pair a Tesla Wall Connector with a Powerwall can now let the charger decide when to fill the car. Firmware 26.34 for both the Powerwall and the Gen 3 Wall Connector adds Smart Charging, which follows whichever operating mode the Powerwall is in, according to Not a Tesla App and TeslAnt's read of Tesla's in-app release notes.
Two modes
In Savings mode, Low-Cost Charging uses your utility rate plan and solar forecasts to charge when energy is cheapest, useful on time-of-use or dynamic tariffs. In Self-Powered mode, Charge on Solar prioritizes surplus solar so more of what your panels make stays on site. Tesla warns that Self-Powered smart charging "may change how much your car charges daily" while it still aims for your configured target.
Sites already in Self-Powered mode switch the Wall Connector to Charge on Solar automatically. Owners who want the cheapest grid hours instead should move the Powerwall to Savings and keep the rate plan in the Tesla app current, Not a Tesla App reported.
Target and departure time
You set a charging target and a departure time. TeslAnt says Tesla's support page describes a "floor": if surplus solar looks short of meeting the target by departure, Smart Charging can pull from other sources until the target is hit, then charge only from surplus solar afterward. Tesla also says the system can charge "your Tesla vehicle or other supported EV," without listing which non-Tesla cars qualify.
Who can use it
Requirements reported from the release notes: Powerwall and Wall Connector on firmware 26.34, Tesla app at least 4.55.5 (Not a Tesla App and TeslAnt; EVBytes cites the same rollout), the Wall Connector on the same Wi-Fi as the Powerwall, and one Wall Connector configured per site. Setup path: Settings, Vehicle Charging, your Wall Connector, Set Charging Configuration.
It is not limited to Powerwall 3. Owner @EVStraya, who first shared the release note on Oct. 7, runs three Powerwall 2 units with a Gen 3 Wall Connector, TeslAnt noted. Tesla recommends plugging in often and setting a low minimum target matched to daily driving so the system has room to wait for cheap hours or sun.
What it means for owners: If you already have a Powerwall and Wall Connector, this is a software change, not a hardware buy. Check the Tesla app for firmware 26.34, then pick Savings or Self-Powered based on whether you care more about the bill or soaking up solar. Homes without a Powerwall do not get these modes.