Tesla Cybertruck becomes first AC vehicle-to-grid asset in California through PG&E

PG&E and Tesla have introduced that the Cybertruck is now authorised to promote energy again to California’s grid through the utility’s residential Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) pilot program. The approval comes with as much as $4,500 in incentives towards tools and set up prices.

What makes this notable: it is the first time California has authorised an AC-based vehicle-to-grid system for residential use — a technically less complicated and cheaper strategy than the DC-based setups that Ford and GM depend on in the identical pilot.

How it differs from Ford and GM’s V2G setups

PG&E’s V2X pilot has been working for some time now. The utility kicked off the program with Ford’s F-150 Lightning paired with a Sunrun Home Integration System, and later added GM’s Ultium-based autos — the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and GMC Sierra EV. All of these methods depend on DC bidirectional chargers, which require specialised {hardware} that may value between $6,000 and $10,000.

Tesla’s Cybertruck takes a unique strategy. The Powershare system makes use of AC energy natively, which implies it connects through a Powershare Gateway and Universal Wall Connector — typical residential electrical tools slightly than specialised DC infrastructure. The result’s decrease {hardware} complexity, decrease set up prices, and higher interoperability with current residence electrical panels.

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That AC distinction issues for scaling. DC bidirectional chargers are costly, require devoted circuits, and might want electrical panel upgrades. An AC-based system that works through normal residential service removes a significant value barrier for owners who wish to take part in grid packages.

How this system works

Cybertruck house owners in PG&E’s service territory — protecting over 16 million individuals throughout Northern and Central California — can now enroll in the V2X pilot to activate two capabilities: Powershare Home Backup, which lets the truck energy the house throughout outages, and Powershare Grid Support, which exports vitality to the grid throughout high-demand occasions.

The program runs on an opt-in foundation — house owners select whether or not to take part in particular grid occasions, that are coordinated through PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). Owners retain full management over how a lot vitality they contribute and might set discharge limits to order battery capability for driving.

The monetary construction consists of as much as $4,500 in incentives utilized towards bidirectional tools and interconnection prices, further compensation for taking part in grid occasions, and bonus incentives for staying enrolled through the pilot’s completion. PG&E’s broader V2X pilot gives as much as 1,000 residential buyer spots.

The Cybertruck’s 123 kWh battery pack, equal to roughly 9 Powerwalls, makes it one of many largest cellular vitality storage belongings accessible to the grid. That capability issues throughout California’s peak demand intervals, usually summer time evenings when photo voltaic era drops and air-con masses come up.

Expanding from the Texas launch

This California approval follows Tesla’s launch of the Powershare Grid Support program in Texas in February 2026, the place Cybertruck house owners in CenterPoint Energy and Oncor service areas started incomes invoice credit for discharging to the grid throughout high-demand occasions. The Texas program was Tesla’s first V2G providing in the United States.

California represents a a lot bigger alternative. PG&E serves extra EV drivers than some other US utility, and the state has the most important EV market in the nation. Tesla already has a considerable digital energy plant operation in California — its Powerwall VPP paid out nearly $10 million to participants in 2024 and has delivered over 100 MW to the grid throughout peak occasions.

Adding Cybertrucks to that digital energy plant community might meaningfully develop its capability. Each Cybertruck contributes 123 kWh versus 13.5 kWh for a Powerwall 2 — roughly 9 instances the storage per unit.

“Electric vehicles can do more than move people — they can help power homes and support the grid,” mentioned Jason Glickman, PG&E’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Growth. Colby Hastings, Senior Director of Tesla’s Residential Energy enterprise, added that “Powershare Grid Support enables Tesla vehicles to strengthen our electricity system, while earning money for EV owners.”

Electrek’s Take

The AC vs. DC distinction right here is fascinating. Ford and GM bought to PG&E’s V2X pilot first — the F-150 Lightning has been authorised since 2023 and GM’s Ultium autos joined in early 2025. But all of them use DC bidirectional chargers that value 1000’s of {dollars} in specialised {hardware}. Tesla exhibiting up with an AC-based system that works through typical residential electrical tools might make V2G adoption much more sensible for common owners.

We’ve been monitoring the V2G area intently, and the largest barrier has at all times been value and complexity on the house owner aspect. A DC bidirectional charger working $6,000-$10,000 earlier than set up makes the economics questionable for most individuals, even with utility incentives, until you have been already seeking to have a generator hook-up. If Tesla’s AC strategy can ship the identical grid providers at a fraction of the {hardware} value, that modifications the maths significantly.

The limitation proper now’s that solely the Cybertruck helps Powershare. Tesla confirmed the brand new Model Y Performance has bidirectional charging {hardware}, however the characteristic hasn’t been activated but past the most recent Model Y Performance. When Tesla ultimately rolls out Powershare throughout its full lineup — probably hundreds of thousands of autos in California alone — the digital energy plant potential becomes huge. For now, although, this can be a proof of idea with Tesla’s lowest-volume automobile, and we’ll be watching to see what number of Cybertruck house owners really roll up and the way the AC system performs throughout actual grid occasions.