Honda and Acura have made it clear that they are planning to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, a system pioneered by Tesla, for their upcoming electric vehicles in the United States. Noriya Kaihara, the President and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., emphasized the importance of embracing NACS technology.
Both brands are set to introduce their electric crossovers, namely the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, which are slated for a 2024 release. These vehicles will be built using General Motors’ Ultium EV platform and battery technology, with GM taking charge of their production.
Interestingly, GM is also gearing up to integrate NACS into its electric vehicles starting in 2025, which will likely impact Honda and Acura’s electric offerings manufactured by GM. It’s anticipated that the Acura ZDX will incorporate the NACS connector by 2025 or 2026, necessitating an adapter for CCS1 connector users, the prevailing standard for non-Tesla electric vehicles.
This transition signifies a significant development, as it will grant Honda and Acura electric vehicle owners access to Tesla’s extensive charging network, thereby enhancing the availability of DC fast-charging infrastructure. Tesla presently dominates the landscape with 60% of the U.S. DC fast-charging facilities under its purview. Notably, Tesla has recently expanded its charging network to accommodate other automakers, as part of a collaborative effort agreed upon at the White House.
In a concerted effort with GM, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, Honda and Acura are also in the process of establishing a North American DC fast-charging network, with the inaugural station set to open its doors in mid-2024.
