Tesla is set to reintroduce power to its 12V sockets with a new feature called Accessory Power, as reported by Not a Tesla App. This comes after a previous software update in September 2024 disabled the 12V outlet when Sentry Mode was on, limiting its usage to only when a person was sitting in the driver’s seat or Camp Mode was activated.
The decision to disable the 12V outlet caused frustration for many users who relied on it to power fridges and freezers, especially during camping trips where spoiled food could become a real issue. However, with the introduction of the Accessory Power setting, users will now have the ability to enable power to all 12V outlets and USB ports even when they leave the vehicle. This includes the rear 12V plug found in models like the Model Y and Model X. Power will remain on until the feature is manually turned off or the vehicle’s battery drops below 20%. It is important to note that leaving the feature on may still draw power even if nothing is plugged in.
The feature is expected to be located under Controls > Charging > Keep Accessory Power On in a future software update, possibly in version 2025.8 or Tesla’s upcoming Spring Update. This reversal of the previous decision to disable the feature comes just in time for summer travel, providing users with more convenience and flexibility in powering their devices.
The initial removal of the feature was due to concerns about people using high-power modifications, but Tesla seems to have found a solution to address those issues. Overall, the reintroduction of Accessory Power is a welcomed change for Tesla owners who rely on their 12V sockets for various purposes.