Last year, when WETOX official explanatory articles on vehicle-to-load technology, the Tesla Cybertruck was the only model featuring native V2L capability. Over the past year, this has changed. In October 2025, Tesla officially announced V2L functionality for two additional models: the China-exclusive Model Y L and the US-market Model Y Performance.
In China, every Model Y L owner receives a complimentary GB/T to Type A/I-Outlet Adapter (valued at approximately $85). This adapter plugs directly into the vehicle's AC charging port to enable V2L. In the United States, Model Y Performance owners need to purchase an $80 Tesla Outlet Adapter from Tesla's official online store, which must be used in conjunction with the Gen 3 Mobile Connector.
While the implementation differs slightly, this expansion clearly demonstrates strong consumer interest in V2L technology among drivers in both China and North America, with many owners enthusiastically sharing their V2L experiences on social media.
The Model Y L and Model Y Performance are higher-tier models commanding premium prices, which justifies their inclusion of more advanced hardware. In contrast, the global volume-sellers—the Model 3 and Model Y (including older versions and the new Juniper)—do not come with native V2L configuration, a strategic decision likely tied to cost-efficiency goals for mass-market vehicles.
What options do owners of these mainstream models have?
Chinese automotive blogger @GeekLaii, who owns both a legacy Model Y and a new Model Y L, conducted immediate tests upon receiving the official adapter. His video findings, which include bilingual subtitles, highlight several key points:
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The official Tesla adapter works exclusively with the Model Y L (tested in China); it elicits no response when plugged into other Tesla models.
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To enable V2L, the Model Y L must use the official Tesla adapter. Standard, universally compatible AC V2L connectors available on the market are ineffective; the vehicle's system identifies them as charging equipment and does not activate the discharge function.
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The power conversion efficiency when using a WETOX Powershare D2 (sold under the WeiDian brand in China), a DC V2L adapter, with a legacy Model Y is comparable to the efficiency achieved when using the official AC adapter with a Model Y L. Both methods are viable for practical use.
Why can't all Teslas support direct V2L? The hardware barrier.
The first issue revolves around the fundamental principle of V2L. This technology involves inverting the direct current (DC) from the vehicle's high-voltage battery into the 120V alternating current (AC) used by common household appliances. Vehicles equipped with a native bidirectional (OBC) perform this DC-to-AC inversion internally. For these vehicles, the adapter serves merely as a passive plug converter.
However, vehicles lacking a built-in bidirectional OBC require an active solution like the WETOX Powershare D2. This device first draws DC power from the vehicle's charging port and then handles the inversion process within its own housing to output 120V AC. The underlying electrical principle is identical; the only difference is the location where the inversion occurs.
Most Tesla models, including legacy Model 3/Y and the juniper versions, were not pre-equipped with bidirectional OBC hardware. Consequently, even if an owner acquires the official "GB/T to Type A/I-Outlet Adapter," it will not enable V2L on these vehicles. This is a hardware limitation that cannot be remedied later via software updates.
The protocol lock: Why third-party AC adapters fail on the Model Y L.
The second issue is more complex. In China, most automakers with V2L-capable models have adopted a consensus approach, using a standard resistance value to signal "discharge mode" to the vehicle, with no proprietary communication protocol. This allows any compliant AC V2L connector to work across different brands.
Tesla, however, has implemented a communication protocol based on the CP signal for the Model Y L, which is not publicly available. This creates a protocol barrier. Therefore, if a Model Y L owner loses the official adapter, they must purchase a replacement from Tesla, as third-party AC connectors are currently incompatible.
For the vast majority of Tesla owners whose vehicles lack native V2L hardware, the WETOX Powershare D2 DC V2L adapter presents a mature and reliable solution to access the same outdoor electrical freedom as the new Model Y L and Model Y Performance.
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