Honda and its luxury brand Acura are set to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector in North America, according to American Honda Motor Co. President and CEO Noriya Kaihara. The move comes as Honda and Acura prepare to introduce their all-electric models to the market, with the first two models being based on General Motors’ Ultium platform and produced at GM’s plants.
The timing for when Honda and Acura vehicles will adopt the NACS charging inlets is not yet clear, as it depends on GM’s switch to the NACS standard, which is expected to start in 2025. The first batch of Honda and Acura electric vehicles will initially come with the Combined Charging System (CCS1) connector.
Honda is also developing its own platform for future electric models, and it’s likely that these vehicles will support the NACS standard right from the start. In addition to adopting the NACS connector, Honda is collaborating with other automakers, including BMW, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, to create a new joint venture fast-charging network in North America. The focus of this network is to ensure security, reliability, and accessibility, drawing inspiration from the efficient maintenance of Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Overall, Honda’s move to adopt the NACS charging standard and participate in the development of a fast-charging network underscores the industry’s efforts to collaborate on infrastructure and standardization, which are crucial for the successful adoption of electric vehicles on a larger scale.