Last week, the 2021 Ford F-150 proved to be a lifesaver for a number of Texans stuck without power following an apocalyptic winter storm. Owners who opted for the new Pro Power Onboard generator were able to power their homes using this feature, which in turn prompted Ford to ask dealers to loan out trucks sitting on lots to those without power. However, it appears that trying such a thing with a Tesla isn’t a great idea.
We know this because Ford North America product communications manager Mike Levine posted a section of Tesla’s warranty limitations on Twitter with the caption: “PSA for Tesla owners. Don’t use your Tesla as a stationary power source. You’ll void the warranty. That’s not good. If you need to make power, get a Ford F-150 with Pro Power Onboard.”
PSA for Tesla owners. Don’t use your Tesla as a stationary power source. You’ll void the warranty. That’s not good. If you need to make power, get a Ford F-150 with Pro Power Onboard. pic.twitter.com/rD1tFVI7Jo
— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) February 23, 2021
The warranty itself is pretty clear, simply stating that Tesla’s new vehicle limited warranty does not cover any vehicle damage or malfunction directly or indirectly caused by using the vehicle as a stationary power source. It’s quite possible that these electric vehicles are capable of providing power to external sources, but owners certainly don’t want to void their warranties trying to do so.
What’s particularly interesting about this is the fact that one of the most highly-touted features of the forthcoming Tesla Cybertruck is its built-in power outlets, which will provide 240 volts of power for tools and other devices, a la Ford’s Pro Power Onboard generator. Perhaps the automaker will revise its warranty wording when the truck arrives, but for now, using a Tesla to power homes or appliances is simply not a good idea.
We’ll have more on the 2021 F-150 and Ford’s competition soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
I’m not a Tesla owner, but how would Tesla know they used it as a stationary power source if not told so?
You forget that Tesla’s are connected to the hilt, they have been touting over the air upgrades and such for years. I’ll bet you the mother ship can be made aware of any “unusual” or “excessive” load on the power system while the vehicle speed says 0 mph… At a minimum, a dealer could take a gander at the log files. Those things are rolling computers….
Get a solar power generator and forget the truck….
Cathy, solar only works when the sun is out. If there’s something blocking the sun, like a snow storm, your solar power will not draw energy.
The Fords make AC power by using an inverter rhat converts the 12 volt DC battery power to 120 volts AC. The smaller systems use the 12 battery to run the inverter. This type of inverter can be bought from many after market auto supplies. Electric vehicles and hybrids use banks of batteries to poroduce high DC voltage. The Teslas are either 350 or 375 volts. The Ford hybrid uses this high DC voltage to run a custom built inverter that uses the high DC voltage to produce 7000 watts of available AC. Since Tesla has no such inverter and cannot use a tank of gas to keep the batteries charged, this whole article makes no sense. The Tesla, as produced, does not have the capability to abuse except for running a tiny after market 12 volt inverter from the 12 volt “cigarette lighter” receptacles and that, too, will drain the batteries, with no means of recharging.