Honda adopts Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for North America

Key Points

• 🚗 Honda has agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its electric vehicles (EVs) in North America.
• 📅 Honda plans to launch its first EV with a NACS port in 2025, and from then on, all Honda EVs will come equipped with NACS ports.
• 🔌 Until 2025, Honda’s electric cars will still feature Combined Charging System (CCS) ports but will be compatible with Tesla Superchargers via an adapter.
• 🚙 This agreement allows Honda EV drivers to use Tesla Superchargers, enhancing the convenience of long trips, as Tesla’s Supercharger Network is extensive and reliable.
• ⚡ Tesla opened the NACS standard to other automakers, and Honda joins a growing list of companies, including Ford, General Motors, Volvo, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Polestar, and Fisker, in adopting this standard.
• 📊 Tesla’s NACS connector is praised for its AC and up to 1 MW DC charging capabilities and is considered more efficient and compact than Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors.

Honda Motor Co. has announced that it had reached an agreement with Tesla to adopt the electric vehicle maker’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). 

Honda’s first electric vehicle with a default NACS port is expected to be launched in 2025. From that point forward, Honda will be equipping its vehicles with NACS ports. Before 2025, Honda’s electric cars will still be fitted with a Combined Charging System (CCS) port, though the vehicles will still be designed to be compatible with Tesla Superchargers through the use of an adaptor. 

With the agreement in place, Honda EV drivers could use Tesla Superchargers, which will significantly enhance the electric car ownership experience. With access to the Supercharger Network, customers of Honda’s electric cars should be able to go on long trips without any difficulties. Tesla’s Superchargers, after all, are among the most expansive and reliable DC fast-charging networks in the United States. 

Tesla extended an open invitation to fellow automakers to adopt its charging standard last November, and since then, numerous carmakers and charging companies have joined what CEO Elon Musk has dubbed the “NACS coalition.” With its recent announcement, Honda will be joining fellow automakers Ford, General Motors, Volvo, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Polestar, and Fisker in the growing NACS family. 

When Tesla opened the NACS to other automakers, the EV maker highlighted the advantages of its charging standard. “The Tesla charging connector is the most proven in North America, offering AC charging and up to 1 MW DC charging in one slim package. It has no moving parts, is half the size, and twice as powerful as Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors,” Tesla noted. 

Prior to its adoption of the NACS, Honda announced that it was also developing a joint venture with six other automakers to build a high-powered charging network for EVs in North America. These automakers are BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.