Tesla's V2L Adapter Is Now Available in Australia
Tesla has launched a V2L adapter for Australian customers. Here's what it means if you're considering a Tesla on a novated lease. Read the plain-English take.
Tesla has quietly launched a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter in Australia, letting certain Tesla owners power external devices — think power tools on a worksite, a space heater at a campsite, or small appliances during an outage — directly from their car's battery. According to The Driven, the adapter is currently available for one variant only, so it's not a blanket roll-out across the entire Tesla lineup.
V2L is a feature that buyers of other EVs — notably some Hyundai and Kia models — have had access to for a while. Tesla arriving late to the party is worth noting, but the fact that it's now available at all changes the calculus for anyone who had written off a Tesla purely because it lacked this capability.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're an Australian PAYG employee weighing up an EV on a novated lease, V2L capability is a practical feature that can shift a vehicle from "nice commuter" to genuinely versatile. That matters because a novated lease is typically a three-to-five-year commitment — you want a car that earns its keep beyond the daily commute.
From a novated leasing perspective, nothing about the Tesla's FBT-exempt status changes here. EVs priced below the luxury car tax threshold still qualify for the FBT exemption on eligible novated leases under current legislation, and Tesla models that already qualified continue to do so. The V2L adapter is a hardware addition — it doesn't affect how the lease is structured or how running costs are bundled.
What it does affect is your shortlist. If V2L was the one feature pushing you toward a Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Kia EV6 over a Tesla, that gap has now narrowed — at least for the variant that supports the adapter. Worth factoring in before you lock in a vehicle choice.
Common questions
What is V2L and why does it matter?
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) lets your EV act as a large power bank, running external devices via a standard outlet. It's useful for tradies, campers, or anyone who wants a backup power source. Not all EVs support it, and until now Tesla's Australian lineup didn't.
Which Tesla models support the new V2L adapter in Australia?
According to The Driven, only one variant currently supports the adapter. Check Tesla's Australian site for the specific model and variant before you commit — this detail matters if V2L is a must-have for you.
Does getting the V2L adapter affect my novated lease or FBT position?
No. The adapter is an accessory and doesn't change how your novated lease is structured. FBT exemption eligibility is determined by the vehicle and its price at the time of the lease, not by accessories added to it.
Can I include the V2L adapter cost in my novated lease?
Potentially yes — accessories fitted at or around delivery can often be bundled into the lease's capitalised cost. Talk to your novated lease provider about what your employer's policy allows and how it's treated for FBT purposes.
Is a Tesla still worth considering for a novated lease compared to other EVs with V2L?
That depends on your priorities — charging network, range, running costs, and features all factor in. V2L availability closing the gap with rivals like the Ioniq 6 makes Tesla more competitive, but the right choice is still personal. A good broker will run the numbers on whichever vehicles you're comparing.