Acura and Honda Want Supercharger Access and the NACS Connector

Ford and General Motors really made all the other EV makers present in North America readjust their short-term production plans. The floodgates opened after the two announced they would drop the CCS Combo 1 port for the North America Charging Standard (NACS) connector.

Now, it's time for other industry players to follow suit. After officially introducing the ZDX and the ZDX Type S, Acura plans to follow General Motors and go with Tesla's inlet design. However, it depends on the Detroit-based auto group. Both the ZDX and the Honda Prologue are manufactured in Mexico by GM.

But since there's no clear agreement between Tesla and American Honda yet, the ZDX will come out of the factory with the CCS Combo 1 inlet. The crossover SUV might get the port in 2025 if it secures a deal similar to what GM signed with Tesla.

It's also possible that Tesla might push for a delay in Honda's and Acura's adoption of the NACS. Currently, no major DC fast charger network operators other than Superchargers include the EV maker's inlet. Tesla might not want its customers to become frustrated with constantly crowded Superchargers.

Thus, we could see Acura and Honda getting access to some Supercharger locations in 2025 and adopting the NACS in 2026 - one year later than Ford and GM. But bear in mind that nothing is official at the time of writing in this regard.

It's worth noting, however, that vehicles equipped with the Combo 1 port can use the Supercharger network with an adapter. The same is available for Tesla owners who want to replenish their energy storage units at stalls like those installed by Electrify America throughout the country.

"We have to push NACS, as well. It is clear," admitted American Honda Motor President and CEO Noriya Kaihara. Another executive confirmed that Acura and Honda depend on GM to put the NACS on the ZDX and the Prologue.

This move is a tad bit surprising because Honda announced around three weeks ago that it would join forces with six other carmakers to launch an Ionity-like venture in the US. But since Electrify America, EVgo, and even Rivian announced they would implement the NACS, it's understandable why Honda and Acura would like to offer their customers the port that guarantees access to the Supercharger network until other options become available.

When writing, the following automakers have decided to ditch the CCS Combo 1 and ride the NACS wave – Ford, Chevrolet (GM), GMC (GM), Cadillac (GM), Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Fisker. Aptera was the first to implement the NACS, but it's not a mass-producer of conventional cars.

If Tesla agrees with Honda and Acura joining in on the fun, the list above will expand.

Brands like BMW, Kia/Hyundai, Toyota, Lucid, or VW (who owns Electrify America) haven't indicated their intention to switch to the Tesla-designed inlet yet. However, it's just a matter of time before other brands cave in. The CCS' days are numbered.

Lastly, according to Autoblog, American Honda's Vice-president of Sustainability Jay Joseph said the Supercharger network's greatest strength is that it's well-maintained. By all accounts, the executive is right. Moreover, recent experiments proved that Tesla's main rival concerning DC fast charging is not very good at providing a reliable experience at most of its stalls, especially for 800V vehicles.

Tesla earns no money from allowing other auto brands to use the NACS port. The now-Texas-based company opened the charging standard late last year. It will, however, increase its revenue. Road-trippers driving non-Tesla EVs will want to fast-charge at a reliable network rather than take a gamble with others that might be a bit cheaper.