Vehicle Charging During Power Outage
Powerwall coordinates with Tesla vehicles for enhanced vehicle charging during a power outage without exceeding the energy and power capabilities of your Powerwall. Powerwall continuously responds to the changing power needs of your home and will slow or stop your vehicle's charging to keep your home loads powered.
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Charging ThresholdThe charging threshold lets you balance your home and transportation energy needs, putting you in full control of your energy ecosystem. You can control your charging threshold on the 'Settings' screen for your home in the Tesla app. The charging threshold determines how much energy Powerwall can share with your vehicle, and directs Powerwall to stop charging your vehicle when it discharges below your set percentage. Sharing more of Powerwall’s stored energy with your vehicle may decrease the potential backup duration for your home. |
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Charging CurrentDuring a power outage, or while off-grid, your Tesla vehicle will charge at up to the max charging current set in your Tesla vehicle. As your home loads vary, Powerwall will limit your vehicle’s charging current to ensure Powerwall can continue to support your home. |
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Power Outage While ChargingWhen a power outage happens, Powerwall will continue, slow or stop charging any connected Tesla vehicle based on Powerwall’s stored energy and your set threshold. If charging stops, you’ll be able to resume vehicle charging by lowering your charge threshold, waiting for the power outage to end or waiting for solar to recharge your Powerwall above your threshold. |
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Solar IntegrationIf your home is equipped with solar and your vehicle is plugged in and charging while the sun is shining, Powerwall will continue to share any surplus solar with your vehicle after Powerwall discharges to your set energy threshold. Sharing surplus solar helps you maximize the value of your solar installation, even during a power outage. Powerwall’s stored energy will remain at your set threshold as long as there is surplus solar available. Powerwall will automatically stop charging your vehicle and will begin to discharge to power your home when there is no longer surplus solar to support vehicle charging. |
Detailed Charging Behavior
| POWER STATE | HOME ELECTRIC LOADS | CHARGING BEHAVIOR |
|---|---|---|
| On Grid | Any Load | Vehicle charges as normal |
| Power outage with Powerwall above energy threshold (or optionally with surplus solar) | Low Loads | Vehicle charges with surplus power and energy |
| High Loads | Vehicle slows charging to prioritize your home loads | |
| Power outage with Powerwall below energy threshold | Any Load | Vehicle stops charging |
Your Tesla vehicle will display a status message on the interior display if Powerwall slows or stops your vehicle charging session. Vehicle charging may not automatically restart if charging stops.
Most charging issues can be resolved by reseating the charging handle. In the unlikely event that your charging connector is unresponsive, restart power for the connector, or press the 'Reset' button.
Compatible Home and Vehicle Configurations
This coordinated charging feature is available for Tesla vehicles using any wall connector, including the Tesla Wall Connector and Mobile Connector. Your wall connector must be on a circuit backed up by Powerwall. If your Powerwall does not provide whole home backup, your wall connector should be located on your essential loads sub panel to support charging during a power outage. This feature behaves identically for owners with an off-grid Powerwall.
Charging during a power outage will not affect the overall life of Powerwall or your vehicle’s battery. Tesla vehicles charging from your Powerwall during a power outage do not need to be connected to your Tesla Account, and no internet connection is necessary to support this charging feature.
Supported Versions
- Powerwall: 1.46+
- Tesla Mobile App: 3.10.2+
- Model 3/Model Y – North America: 2019.40.1+
- Model S/Model X (2014 and later) – North America: 2020.32+
- All Tesla Vehicles in Other Regions: 2020.40