Key Points
- Tesla says all new Model 3 and Model Y deliveries in Australia will now support vehicle-to-load (V2L).
- Owners need the optional Tesla Outlet Adapter, which costs $145 and supplies up to 3.45kW at 230V.
- V2L has been standard or widely available on Chinese and Korean EVs sold in Australia for several years.
Tesla is adding vehicle-to-load (V2L) to every new Model 3 and Model Y delivered in Australia. The feature lets owners run appliances, tools and devices from the car's battery.
It closes one of the biggest feature gaps between Tesla and its rivals. Until now, the six-seat Model Y L was the only Tesla in Australia that supported V2L. Most Chinese brands, along with Hyundai and Kia, have offered it for years.
Which Teslas get vehicle-to-load
V2L now applies to new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles delivered in Australia. It joins the Model Y L, which gained the feature when deliveries started in May 2026.
Tesla calls the feature Powershare. On the Model 3, it is supported across all variants from model year 2027 (MY27). This includes the new $45,900 Model 3 RWD, which reaches customers from mid-to-late October 2026.
Older cars miss out. Tesla has said existing Model 3s cannot be retrofitted with V2L. It has not confirmed whether any Model Y vehicles delivered before the change will gain the feature through a software update.
At the time of writing, the Tesla Outlet Adapter listing on Tesla's Australian online shop still says the adapter is only compatible with the Model Y L. The listing may change as MY27 Model 3 and Model Y deliveries begin. Owners should check compatibility for their car in the Tesla app before buying.
How the Tesla Outlet Adapter works
V2L on Tesla's cars is not built in. There are no power sockets in the cabin or boot. Owners need to buy the Tesla Outlet Adapter, which plugs directly into the car's charge port.
The other end has an Australian power outlet. Owners plug a device or extension lead into it, and the car supplies power from its high-voltage battery.
The Australian adapter is different from the US version. In the US, the adapter fits onto the end of Tesla's Mobile Connector charging cable and supplies up to 2.4kW at 120V. The Australian version connects to the car on its own and supplies more power.
Tesla Outlet Adapter Specs in Australia
Detail | Tesla Outlet Adapter |
Price | $145 |
Voltage | 230V |
Max power (15A plug) | 3.45kW |
Max power (10A plug) | 2.3kW |
Connection | Plugs directly into the car's charge port |
Listed compatibility (Tesla Shop) | Model Y L (MY27 Model 3 and Model Y expected) |
Availability | Out of stock at time of writing |
The adapter can supply up to 3.45kW from a 15A plug and up to 2.3kW from a standard 10A plug. Tesla says owners should make sure the plug is fully inserted, especially when using the 10A plug.
Tesla's warranty does not cover damage caused by third-party bidirectional adapters or chargers. Owners who have used aftermarket V2L adapters on older Teslas should keep this in mind.
What is vehicle-to-load and why it matters
Vehicle-to-load turns an EV into a mobile power source. The car converts power from its battery into standard household AC power, so owners can plug in everyday devices.
The benefits are practical:
Camping and road trips. Owners can run lights, a portable fridge, a kettle or an induction cooktop without a generator or a powered campsite.
Power outages. During a blackout, a car with V2L can keep a fridge, phone chargers, a modem or medical equipment running through an extension lead.
Work sites. Tradies can run power tools and charge tool batteries where there is no mains power.
E-bikes and other EVs. Owners can charge an e-bike or scooter on the go. In an emergency, V2L can also give another EV a slow top-up.
V2L also replaces some of the cost and noise of a petrol generator. A Model 3 or Model Y battery holds far more energy than a typical portable power station.
V2L has been common on Chinese EVs for years
BYD offered V2L on the Atto 3 when it launched locally in 2022. BYD, MG, GWM, Geely and XPeng now offer V2L across much of their Australian EV and plug-in hybrid line-ups. Some, such as the GWM Cannon Hi4-T ute, have a power outlet built into the tray area.
Output is also rising. The 2026 XPeng G6 now supplies up to 6kW through V2L. That is close to double the output of Tesla's adapter.
Korean brands moved early too. Hyundai has offered V2L on the IONIQ 5 since 2021, with up to 3.6kW of output and the adapter included rather than sold separately. Kia offers V2L across its EV range.
Tesla's version still costs extra. Buyers pay $145 for the adapter on top of the price of the car.
V2L is not the same as vehicle-to-grid
V2L powers individual devices. It is different from vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G), which send power from the car into a home's wiring or back to the electricity grid.
Tesla's V2H system, also branded Powershare, is currently only available on the Cybertruck in the US. Tesla has not announced V2H or V2G for the Model 3 or Model Y in Australia.
V2G is gaining ground locally. Several bidirectional chargers are now approved for use in Australia, and trials are paying EV owners to export power from their cars at peak times.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
