Photo: @greggertruck via Twitter | Edited
Much has been written about Tesla's bi-directional charging capabilities (or lack thereof). It looks like Tesla will introduce this feature on the Cybertruck. The EV maker confirmed this most unusually in a coloring book at Tesla Service Centers.
Many electric vehicles come these days with bi-directional charging capabilities. These include the possibility to power external devices (Vehicle-to-Load or V2L), entire houses (Vehicle-to-Home/V2H), or even sell energy to the grid (Vehicle-to-Grid/V2G). The possibility of having a backup power source in emergencies sounds very compelling, and other carmakers offered it with their EVs.
Stories about how an electric vehicle can save the day (and possibly someone's life) in disasters have been aplenty. Not only that, but Ford mocked Tesla by delivering the F-150 Lightning with a complimentary adapter to charge a Tesla. Farley shot two rabbits with one bullet here, promoting the Vehicle-2-Vehicle (V2V) capability of the Lightning.
Of course, bi-directional charging only makes sense when the car's battery has a big-enough capacity. That's why electric pickup trucks have been the perfect candidates for bi-directional charging. Considering this, we'd forgive Tesla because it doesn't offer this feature on any of its EVs. Critics pointed out the company's lucrative Powerwall business, which might be affected if bi-directional charging is available on Tesla models.
Things are set to change, though. Asked during Investor Day in March about the bi-directional charging capability, Tesla's SVP of Powertrain and Energy Engineering, Drew Baglino, said it should arrive in about two years. While Baglino didn't mention any Tesla model that would support the new features, he most certainly meant the Cybertruck. Another confirmation was offered in an unusual way, in kid merchandise offered at Service Centers.
A coloring book handed out at Tesla Service Centers states that the Cybertruck "has enough battery power to charge a Tesla." Although the book was made for kids, it conveys a message to their parents. The wording implies that the Cybertruck will offer bi-directional charging and charge other cars. However, the message is more about the Cybertruck's battery capacity than anything else.
If the electric pickup is indeed able to charge other Tesla EVs, it should have a really big battery, probably not very far from the 200+ kWh offered by other pickup trucks. We know that Tesla Cybertruck would feature house outlets in the bed to power external devices. However, charging an EV using them would not be practical. This points to a V2X capability, although Vehicle-to-Grid will most likely not be offered, as it overlaps with the Powerwall. It would also accelerate the battery wear, which Tesla doesn't want.
Still, if the Cybertruck could power a house, it would be a hit with people who want their backs covered in emergencies. We've already seen that the bi-directional charging capabilities didn't help Ford very much with the F-150 Lightning's sales. The feature might become mandatory in California in 2027, so Tesla is at least considering it.
Stories about how an electric vehicle can save the day (and possibly someone's life) in disasters have been aplenty. Not only that, but Ford mocked Tesla by delivering the F-150 Lightning with a complimentary adapter to charge a Tesla. Farley shot two rabbits with one bullet here, promoting the Vehicle-2-Vehicle (V2V) capability of the Lightning.
Of course, bi-directional charging only makes sense when the car's battery has a big-enough capacity. That's why electric pickup trucks have been the perfect candidates for bi-directional charging. Considering this, we'd forgive Tesla because it doesn't offer this feature on any of its EVs. Critics pointed out the company's lucrative Powerwall business, which might be affected if bi-directional charging is available on Tesla models.
Things are set to change, though. Asked during Investor Day in March about the bi-directional charging capability, Tesla's SVP of Powertrain and Energy Engineering, Drew Baglino, said it should arrive in about two years. While Baglino didn't mention any Tesla model that would support the new features, he most certainly meant the Cybertruck. Another confirmation was offered in an unusual way, in kid merchandise offered at Service Centers.
A coloring book handed out at Tesla Service Centers states that the Cybertruck "has enough battery power to charge a Tesla." Although the book was made for kids, it conveys a message to their parents. The wording implies that the Cybertruck will offer bi-directional charging and charge other cars. However, the message is more about the Cybertruck's battery capacity than anything else.
If the electric pickup is indeed able to charge other Tesla EVs, it should have a really big battery, probably not very far from the 200+ kWh offered by other pickup trucks. We know that Tesla Cybertruck would feature house outlets in the bed to power external devices. However, charging an EV using them would not be practical. This points to a V2X capability, although Vehicle-to-Grid will most likely not be offered, as it overlaps with the Powerwall. It would also accelerate the battery wear, which Tesla doesn't want.
Still, if the Cybertruck could power a house, it would be a hit with people who want their backs covered in emergencies. We've already seen that the bi-directional charging capabilities didn't help Ford very much with the F-150 Lightning's sales. The feature might become mandatory in California in 2027, so Tesla is at least considering it.
New coloring book at Tesla service centers. states "has enough battery power to charge a Tesla"
— Greggertruck (@greggertruck) July 13, 2023
bidirectional confirmed? @elonmust
kiddos saw it first ha! pic.twitter.com/fOvDrmpLSQ
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