Electric Cars

Toyota's FAW Toyota joint venture has unequivocally refuted recent online claims suggesting both substantial price reductions in the Chinese market and a potential complete exit. The company has stated its intention to pursue legal action against the purveyors of these false reports, emphasizing that all production, sales, and iterative development plans for its models are proceeding without interruption.

This clarification follows GAC Group's announcement of its intention to acquire a 50% stake in FAW Toyota, a move perceived as part of Toyota's broader strategy to reinvigorate its brand presence and streamline operations within China. Toyota currently operates in the Chinese market through two joint ventures: FAW Toyota and GAC Toyota, which collectively produce a range of vehicles including popular models like the Corolla and RAV4, alongside newer electric offerings such as the bZ3 and bZ5. The proposed transaction, which would see GAC Group take over FAW's share, is anticipated to finalize after a thorough audit and valuation process, with Toyota retaining its 50% ownership.

The joint venture further asserted its commitment to leveraging the combined resources and technological advancements of the larger group for future vehicle development. This strategic consolidation aims to strengthen Toyota's position in a challenging market, especially given a recent 22.8% decline in its August sales in China, marking the seventh consecutive month of reduced sales, primarily attributed to softening demand for gasoline and hybrid vehicles amidst rising fuel costs.

Toyota's decisive action to counter misinformation underscores its dedication to maintaining market stability and trust with its Chinese consumers and partners. By addressing the rumors directly and affirming its ongoing commitment, the automaker is working to secure its future growth and innovation in one of the world's most dynamic automotive markets. This proactive stance ensures clarity and reinforces the company's long-term vision for sustainable operations and product development.

Tesla's popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles can now serve as a home backup power source during electricity outages, a feature previously exclusive to the Cybertruck. This development, known as Powershare Home Backup, marks a significant step for Tesla in the vehicle-to-home (V2H) energy sector. However, this capability is contingent on owning a Powerwall 3 and is primarily guaranteed for new vehicles ordered since October 1, 2026. While a welcome addition, Tesla is playing catch-up with other automakers like Ford and GM, who have offered similar V2H solutions for several years.

Tesla Bolsters Home Energy Ecosystem with Model 3 and Model Y Powershare

On October 6, 2026, Tesla Energy officially announced the expansion of its Powershare Home Backup functionality to include the Model 3 and Model Y. This means that, for the first time, these high-volume Tesla sedans and SUVs can feed power back into a home during grid interruptions, providing an extended energy supply. The official announcement was made via Tesla Energy's X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the feature is available for new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles paired with a Powerwall 3.

According to updated information on Tesla's Powershare website, this capability is currently available for all Cybertruck vehicles and for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered in the United States and Puerto Rico on or after October 1, 2026. For existing vehicles, or those ordered before this date, Tesla notes that some, but not all, Model 3 and Model Y units may possess the necessary hardware for bidirectional power flow. Owners can verify this by checking the "Powershare Support" status in their vehicle's touchscreen software under Additional Vehicle Information.

The system operates by connecting the vehicle to a Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector at a residence equipped with a Powerwall 3. When the grid experiences an outage, the vehicle's battery seamlessly integrates with the Powerwall 3 to extend the home's backup duration. Tesla estimates that a Model 3 or Model Y, starting from a 90% charge, can add over two days of backup power for a home consuming 30 kWh daily. Standard trim models offer up to two days, while a Cybertruck provides over three days of additional backup. The maximum continuous output for the Powerwall setup is stated as 11.52 kW.

While this is a significant enhancement, it comes with certain limitations. A Powerwall 3 is a mandatory component, with support for Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ expected "soon." Unlike Cybertruck owners, Model 3 and Model Y users cannot utilize a Powershare Gateway for home backup without a Powerwall. Furthermore, the system does not currently support selling power back to the grid (Grid Support is not available for these models), and the feature is not extended to the Model S or Model X. Geographically, it is limited to the US and Puerto Rico, with Tesla's Canadian site still listing Powershare as a Cybertruck-exclusive feature.

Tesla's entry into the broader V2H market for its mainstream models comes several years after competitors. Ford introduced home backup on its F-150 Lightning in 2022, offering 9.6 kW of output. GM committed to bringing vehicle-to-home capabilities to all Ultium-based EVs by the 2026 model year and has already delivered on this promise with a range of compatible vehicles. Even third-party solutions, such as Sigenergy's home battery system, offered V2H functionality with Tesla vehicles via DC charging as early as last year, prior to Tesla's official rollout for the Model 3 and Model Y. This late adoption suggests Tesla's strategic choice to prioritize its Powerwall ecosystem, potentially to avoid cannibalizing Powerwall sales with direct V2H functionality.

This latest move by Tesla, while overdue, is a positive development for its widespread customer base. By integrating V2H capabilities into its most popular models, Tesla is not only enhancing the utility of its EVs but also strengthening its position in the integrated home energy market. This offers consumers greater energy independence and resilience, particularly during power disruptions, reinforcing the value proposition of owning a Tesla electric vehicle and a Powerwall.