Tesla is planning to reintroduce power to its 12V sockets when a vehicle is parked, thanks to a new feature called Accessory Power, according to Not a Tesla App.
Back in September 2024, a software update disabled the 12V outlet when Sentry Mode was on with limited usage. You had to have a person sitting in the driver seat or turn on Camp Mode, which disables walk-away locks and also keeps climate running, which in turn drained more battery.
For those that relied on 12V sockets to power on fridges and freezers, the change was very frustrating as it meant your food could spoil on a camping trip and more.
The new Accessory Power setting will let users enable power to all 12V outlets and USB ports, even if they leave the vehicle. This includes the rear 12V plug on some models, like the Model Y and Model X. Power will remain on until either the option is turned off or the vehicle’s battery drops below 20%. Tesla notes that leaving the feature on may still draw power, even if nothing is plugged in.
The feature is expected to appear under Controls > Charging > Keep Accessory Power On in a future software update — possibly in version 2025.8 or Tesla’s upcoming Spring Update.
It’s a welcome reversal after the company previously removed the feature due to concerns about people using high-power modifications. This change looks to come just ahead of summer travel, which is great timing.
