Tesla Powershare: using your vehicle as home backup power
Updated October 24, 2026
In short
Powershare lets a compatible Tesla vehicle power your home during an outage. It needs Tesla backup equipment that safely separates the house from the grid, plus a bidirectional charger, all installed by a licensed electrician with a permit and utility notice.
How it works
When the grid goes down, the backup equipment disconnects your home from the utility and lets the vehicle feed your circuits. When power returns, it switches back. This isolation is what makes it safe for utility workers.
Check Tesla for which vehicles currently support Powershare at home.
What the installation includes
- Load calculation and choosing which circuits to back up
- Tesla backup gateway or switch at your service entrance
- Bidirectional charger on a dedicated circuit
- Electrical permit, inspection and utility paperwork
- Setup in the Tesla app and a test of the switchover (provisioning)
Before you decide
- Your panel and service may need an upgrade first
- Plan what must run in an outage: heating controls, refrigerator, sump pump, lights
- In co-ops, condos and multifamily buildings, the building must approve changes to the electrical service
Questions
Is Powershare the same as a regular EV charger?
No. A regular charger only charges the car. Powershare also sends power from the car to the house, which needs extra equipment and a proper transfer setup.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. It is new electrical work at your service entrance, so it needs an electrical permit and an inspection.
General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and every building is different. Check with the Department of Buildings, your town or your building management.