Summary
- Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys are being discussed in the electric vehicle community for potential emergency backup capabilities with bidirectional charging
- Tesla is currently not equipped for bidirectional charging due to hardware limitations, but may consider it in the future
- There is a push in Australia for EVs to support the grid with bi-directional charging during emergencies
- California is considering a bill mandating vehicle-to-grid/load capabilities in electric cars produced after 2027
- The future of electric vehicles in Australia is moving towards greater grid support and bi-directional capabilities.
Article
As Australia prepares for its bush fire and flood season, the discussion surrounding the use of privately owned battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as emergency backups or grid backups is gaining traction within the electric vehicle community. The focus is on bidirectional charging, which allows vehicles to both charge and discharge power. Many BEVs on Australian roads are Teslas, leading to questions about whether Tesla is missing an opportunity by not enabling bidirectional charging in their Model 3s and Model Ys. Some other brands already offer this feature, providing benefits such as powering household appliances during power outages, camping, and off-grid power for tools.
Despite some claims that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y already have bidirectional charging capabilities built in and can be enabled via an over-the-air update, the Tesla Owners Club of Australia pointed out that currently no Tesla vehicles, except for the Cybertruck in the US, support bidirectional charging. Tesla has expressed concerns about battery degradation and user preference for waking up to a fully charged battery rather than a depleted one after providing power to the house. However, there is growing demand for bidirectional charging, and Tesla may consider incorporating this feature in future models to remain competitive in the EV market.
While Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed skepticism about the utility of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, pointing out that very few people would actually use it, the California legislature is considering a bill that would mandate V2G capabilities in all electric cars produced after 2027. This indicates a potential shift towards V2G as power prices rise and battery technology advances. California’s influence in the EV market could set the trend for other states, including Australia, where initiatives are being launched to encourage the adoption of bi-directional charging to support the grid during peak demand times.
With the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard in Australia from 2025 and the expected increase in EV uptake, there is a growing demand for grid energy. Properly supported vehicle-to-grid technology could potentially provide a solution for increased household energy storage, demand management, and grid support services. Australia’s Solar Citizens has launched a campaign to urge the federal government to ensure that as many EVs as possible can support the grid through bidirectional charging. The rEVolution in Australia is moving forward, with changes being made to support a brighter, electric, and bi-directional future.
As Australia enters its bush fire season and the USA faces hurricane threats, the need for reliable backup power solutions becomes more apparent. Exploring bidirectional charging for electric vehicles could provide a sustainable and efficient way to support the grid during emergencies and peak demand periods. While Tesla may currently not support bidirectional charging in their vehicles, market forces and consumer demand could push them to incorporate this feature in the future to stay ahead in the competitive EV market. The future of electric vehicles in Australia and globally is promising, with a focus on innovative and sustainable solutions for powering homes and supporting the grid.
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