Tesla Model 3 gets bigger screen and V2L, but only in China

Tesla has rolled out a meaningful update to the Model 3, adding a larger touchscreen and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, though according to multiple reports the changes are currently confirmed only for the Chinese market, leaving drivers in the UK, the US and elsewhere on standard specification for now.

V2L is the feature that allows an electric car to act as a power source, sending electricity out through a socket to run appliances, tools or other devices. It has become increasingly common on rivals such as certain Hyundai and Kia models, so its arrival on the Model 3 brings Tesla's saloon closer to that standard. Some of the new features are said to be carried over from the Model Y, suggesting Tesla is aligning the two cars more closely in what they offer.

For UK drivers, the practical significance of V2L is that a compatible car can power a laptop, a camping stove, garden tools or even provide emergency backup to a home appliance during a power cut, all directly from the car's battery. Whether that appeals depends entirely on how a driver uses the car, but it does broaden what an electric vehicle can do beyond simply driving from place to place.

There is no confirmed date for when, or whether, these upgrades will reach cars sold outside China. Buyers in the UK considering a new Model 3 should check directly with Tesla for the current specification, as the features described here have not been announced for this market. Those who already own a Model 3 should note that hardware upgrades of this kind are not typically delivered through a software update and would generally require a new vehicle.