Which Teslas can power your home, what equipment you need, how much backup you get, and why it is backup only in Idaho. From a certified Powerwall installer in Boise and Post Falls.
Updated October 2026
Short answer
Tesla's bidirectional charging feature, called Powershare, lets a compatible Tesla power your home during an outage. Cybertruck supports it today. Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered on or after October 1, 2026 support it too, and some earlier ones do. For Model 3 and Model Y, you need a Tesla Powerwall 3 and a Tesla Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector. With a Powerwall, Tesla says a Model 3 or Model Y can add more than two days of backup for a home using 30 kWh a day. It is backup only: Model 3 and Model Y cannot send power to the grid, so it does not earn credits from Idaho Power, Avista or the co-ops.
Normal EV charging moves power one way, from your home into the car. Bidirectional charging also lets power flow back out of the car.
There are three versions you will hear about. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) powers tools or appliances plugged into the car. Vehicle-to-home (V2H) powers your house during an outage. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) sends power back to the utility grid. Tesla's Powershare covers V2L and V2H. For Model 3 and Model Y, it does not include V2G.
| Home backup | Equipment needed | Sends power to the grid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cybertruck | Yes, all Cybertruck vehicles | Powerwall 3, or a Powershare Gateway with a Universal Wall Connector | Not as part of home backup |
| Model 3 and Model Y ordered on or after Oct 1, 2026 | Yes | Powerwall 3 plus a Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector | No |
| Earlier Model 3 and Model Y | Some, not all | Same as above, if your car shows Powershare Support enabled | No |
| Model S and Model X | No | Not supported | No |
To check an earlier Model 3 or Model Y, go to Software, then Additional Vehicle Information, on the touchscreen. If it shows Powershare Support: Enabled, your car supports it.
For Model 3 and Model Y, Powershare home backup works through a Powerwall 3. The car plugs into a Tesla Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector, and the Powerwall manages the switch to backup when the grid goes down. Tesla does not offer a stand-alone gateway option for these models.
If you already have a Powerwall 3 and a Wall Connector, Tesla says no extra equipment is needed. The feature is turned on through Tesla. Tesla lists Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ support as coming soon.
Cybertruck owners without a Powerwall can use a Powershare Gateway and a Universal Wall Connector instead.
Tesla lists up to 11.5 kW of output for Powershare home backup. With a Powerwall, Tesla says a Model 3 or Model Y can extend backup by more than two days, and a Cybertruck by more than three, based on a home using 30 kWh a day.
Your results depend on how full the car is, what you choose to back up, and the weather. We size backup around what you actually want to keep running, such as the furnace fan, refrigerator, internet, lights and, in rural areas, the well pump.
Model 3 and Model Y cannot send power to the grid through Powershare, so the car does not earn export credits from Idaho Power, Avista, Kootenai Electric Cooperative or Clearwater Power.
That makes Powershare an outage tool, not a bill-savings tool. Your solar and Powerwall still do the everyday work of lowering your bill. The car adds days of backup on top.
It is most useful for homes that see longer outages: North Idaho winter storms, rural lines, homes on a well, or Treasure Valley homes that want protection during summer wildfire season shutoffs.
If you are already adding a Powerwall 3 and drive an eligible Tesla, Powershare costs little or nothing extra and can stretch one battery's backup into several days. If you do not need a Powerwall for savings, a larger battery or a generator may still be the better backup plan. We will tell you which fits.
Idahome Energy is a certified Tesla Powerwall installer. We confirm your car is eligible, review your electrical panel and design the Powerwall and Wall Connector together. The Idahome Energy team manages the project, and our highly vetted installer partners complete the field work, backed by our warranty.
We serve Boise, the Treasure Valley and Mountain Home from our Boise office, and North Idaho from our Post Falls office.
Yes, if it supports Powershare. Cybertruck and Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered on or after October 1, 2026 support home backup, and some earlier Model 3 and Model Y vehicles do. Model 3 and Model Y need a Powerwall 3 and a Wall Connector.
For Model 3 and Model Y, yes. Powershare home backup works through a Powerwall 3. Cybertruck can also use a Powershare Gateway instead.
No. Model 3 and Model Y cannot send power to the grid through Powershare. It is for home backup during outages.
Tesla says that with a Powerwall, a Model 3 or Model Y can add more than two days of backup, and a Cybertruck more than three, for a home using 30 kWh a day. Backing up only essential loads stretches it further.
Not yet. Tesla lists Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ support as coming soon. Today it works with Powerwall 3.
On the touchscreen, go to Software, then Additional Vehicle Information. If it says Powershare Support: Enabled, it is supported.
We'll check your car's eligibility and design a Powerwall 3 and Wall Connector setup for your home.
