Tesla Model Y gets adapter for charging other gadgets

Tesla is an electric vehicle pioneer in many ways, but one fairly pedestrian option was missing from its cars — until now.

The company recently started selling an optional vehicle-to-load (V2L) adapter for its Model Y Premium and Performance trims in the U.S.

With this $80 adapter, the car can be used for charging other gadgets, such as phones, laptops and the like.

SEE ALSO: Tesla shows first Cybercab with built-in Starlink.

Elon Musk explains why it needs one.

The company didn't announce the change anywhere, but the adapter started showing up in the configurator for Model Y.

The specs, per Tesla's website, are as follows: The 120V, 20A adapter has 2.4kW maximum power and can be used to power devices like "lights and laptops." The adapter can also be bought separately for $80 .

To use it, you need to have Tesla's Gen 3 Mobile Connector.

Tesla Outlet Adapter can also be purchased separately for $80.

Credit: Tesla Other car companies, including Ford and Hyundai, have been selling V2L adapters for their own cars for a while, but Tesla has taken its time with it, even though the underlying functionality was (probably) there.

For some reason, the non-Premium Model Y trims don't offer the adapter as an option, and none of the Model 3 variants have it, either.

Vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality isn't available on any of the Model Y or Model 3 variants.

The Cybertruck , currently the most luxurious car in Tesla's lineup, offers both the V2L adapter and V2H functionality, with the "Universal Home Charger and Gateway," necessary to power your home via the Cybertruck, priced at $1,970 .

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