Tesla launches Powershare grid support for Cybertruck owners

Tesla has launched the Powershare Grid Support Program for Cybertruck owners to send power from their vehicle’s battery back to the electric grid. It starts in select areas of Texas and helps owners earn money while supporting the local power system.

The program is part of Tesla’s Powershare system. Powershare lets a Tesla vehicle share its stored energy. Right now, it works only with the Cybertruck, which has a large 123 kWh battery. The system can send up to 11.5 kW of power continuously.

In simple terms, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) means the car battery can act like a home battery. During times of high electricity demand, the vehicle sends power to the grid if it is plugged in at home. These events happen infrequently and sometimes on short notice. In return, owners receive credits on their energy bills. The amount of credit depends on the specific electricity plan.

To join in Texas, owners must meet several requirements. They need to live in areas served by CenterPoint Energy or Oncor. They must own a Cybertruck with Powershare equipment installed at home. Owners also need to enroll in the Tesla Electric Drive plan. Finally, they opt in through the Tesla app.

Currently, the program is open by invitation only as part of an early adopter phase. After this phase ends, it will be available to all who meet the conditions. Tesla plans to expand to other regions, such as California, in the future.

Powershare also offers Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) backup. During a power outage, a plugged-in Cybertruck can supply electricity to the home. It can provide up to 11.5 kW, enough to power an average home for about three days based on normal daily use of 30 kWh.For homes with a Powerwall, full integration with Powershare is coming soon through a software update. No extra hardware will be needed in many cases. Owners can monitor everything in the Tesla app, including energy use and program status.

This program helps make the electric grid more reliable. It allows vehicle owners to play a role in managing energy demand. At the same time, it provides a way to offset some ownership costs through bill credits.

Overall, the Powershare Grid Support Program marks a step toward using electric vehicles for more than just driving. It connects them to home and grid energy needs in a practical way.

(source)