Tesla Cybertruck To Have 50-Amp 240v Outlet, Enough to Charge Another Tesla

By Kevin Armstrong
The Cybertruck will have two 120v outlets and one 220v outlet
The Cybertruck will have two 120v outlets and one 220v outlet
niccruzpatane/RyanZohoury

Tesla's Cybertruck may have that feature that was the competition's advantage. A recent "leak" shows an array of built-in power outlets. We've previously covered Tesla offering bi-directional charging on the Cybertruck, but even if that falls through, it looks like owners could use the vehicle's onboard outlets to power other items. According to leaked information, these outlets could herald a new vehicular energy independence and utility standard.

Speculations, courtesy of an anonymous insider and brought to the public eye by the YouTube channel TFLEV, indicate that the Cybertruck may offer multiple onboard power outlets, including two 120-volt outlets and a robust 50 amp, 240-volt outlet (NEMA 14-50). The potential of these outlets isn't merely for powering tools or campsite essentials but extends to energizing an entire household during power outages.

Cybertruck's Electrical Outlets

The inclusion of a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 outlet is particularly intriguing, as this specification implies a high-power output capability. This type of outlet is commonly used for large appliances or for EV charging and can handle up to 12kW of power. Such a feature points to Tesla's vision of a vehicle that gets you to your destination and serves as a dependable power reserve in emergencies or for off-grid living.

Ford's F-150 Lightning: A Benchmark for Comparison

Any other company rarely sets the bar when it comes to the EV game, but Ford did offer something that Tesla had not yet developed. To contextualize the Cybertruck's power supply features, comparing it with existing vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning is essential. Ford's electric pickup boasts a Pro Power Onboard system with power outputs that vary from 2.4 kW to 9.6 kW, depending on the configuration. With options for both 120-volt and 240-volt (L14-30) outlets, the Lightning can power tools and appliances directly from the vehicle.

The F-150 Lightning's Charge Station Pro and Home Integration System, developed in collaboration with Sunrun, illustrates the practical application of vehicle-to-grid technology. It has proven worth enabling homeowners to keep their lights on during utility failures. Tesla's Cybertruck, with its powerful 240-volt outlet, is expected to offer similar functionality, allowing the vehicle to serve as an energy lifeline.

Tesla's Edge: Potential for Higher Power Output

While the Ford F-150 Lightning can supply substantial power to a home, Tesla's Cybertruck may have the upper hand with the ability to output up to 12kW. This capability could make it a more potent mobile generator, capable of running high-demand home appliances during emergencies or power outages.

In the evolving landscape of electric vehicles, the Cybertruck's power outlets are not just about convenience. They symbolize Tesla's commitment to energy solutions that empower owners to be more self-sufficient. The outlets could bridge Tesla's automotive and energy sectors, potentially integrating with home energy storage systems like the Powerwall for enhanced energy management.

As electric vehicles become increasingly entwined with home energy ecosystems, Cybertruck's proposed power outlets position it as a leader in this integration. The vehicle's ability to potentially power a home resonates with Tesla's overarching mission to facilitate a sustainable energy future.

Giga Small Haus - A Demo Home Powered by Solar and Powerwall 3

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.

Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.

Giga Small Haus

The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.

The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.

The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App

The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.

Powerwall

Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage. 

With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.

Key Features

Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.

Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.

Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.

Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.

Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.

How Powerwall Works

Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.

Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.

Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.

Benefits

Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.

Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.

Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.

Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.

Tesla Adds Acceleration Boost Option for 2024 Model 3

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.

This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.

Acceleration Boost

This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.

The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.

Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.

Should You Buy It?

If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling. 

You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.

Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.

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