Tesla’s New Update: Automatic Rate-Based Charging to Cut Bills

Key Takeaways

1. Tesla is launching a new automatic EV charging feature that uses smart algorithms to minimize the impact of high electricity prices.
2. The feature will enable charging based on electricity costs, utilizing the Tesla Powerwall and Universal Wall Connector for more efficient charging.
3. The new charging protocol is currently being tested in pilot programs and will be compatible with both Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles.
4. The charging process will focus on the best times to charge according to electricity prices rather than just following a time-of-use plan.
5. The advanced charging options will be included in the upcoming firmware version 25.26 for the Wall Connector.

Tesla is getting ready to launch a new automatic EV charging feature that uses smart algorithms to reduce the impact of high electricity prices from the grid. The latest update to the Tesla App, version 4.46.5, has a code string that hints at this rate-based charging option, even though it hasn’t been mentioned in the official release notes.

New Charging Protocol

This code refers to a future communication system that will connect a Tesla Powerwall with home charging equipment like the Universal Wall Connector, which is available for $650 on Amazon. This new feature will enable charging based on the cost of electricity rather than simply the time of day, making it more efficient.

In practical terms, this means that the Tesla home charger will fill up the vehicle using the Powerwall according to the price of electricity and its source, whether it’s from the grid or solar, instead of just following a time-of-use utility plan.

Future Feature Testing

Alex Guichet, a designer for Tesla’s mobile app, mentioned that this feature is expected to roll out soon and is currently being tested in pilot programs. The presence of corresponding code in the latest app version confirms this development.

The energy algorithms within the Powerwall are designed to determine the best time for the Wall Connector to charge your vehicle. It aims to achieve the lowest costs aligned with your Time-of-Use rate plan, and it is compatible with both Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles. The intention is to be more advanced than the basic schedule that the Wall Connector currently provides, which doesn’t account for pricing!

Enhanced Charging Options

The code strings powerwall_x_wall_connector_rate_based_charging_min_hours_charging_set and wallConnectorSupports4HourChargingFactory suggest a more detailed approach to charging that considers electricity costs, moving away from the existing time-based schedule provided by Tesla’s app.

However, this new capability will be part of the upcoming firmware version 25.26 for the Wall Connector, which has yet to be made available as an update.

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