American Honda has announced a strategic partnership with Electrify America and EVgo to establish a comprehensive nationwide charging network for future Honda and Acura electric vehicle (EV) owners. While Honda and Acura currently do not have a fully electric vehicle in their US portfolio, this is set to change in 2024 with the introduction of the Honda Prologue EV and the 2024 Acura ZDX electric SUVs.
As part of this collaboration, Honda anticipates that its commitment to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in partnership with Tesla, combined with agreements with Electrify America and EVgo, will make 100,000 DC fast chargers available to its growing base of EV customers by 2030.
In a significant convenience enhancement, the partnership will also integrate a unified smartphone app for all charging-related needs. Customers will have the ability to utilize the HondaLink and Acura EV apps for various tasks, including payment for charging services, locating charging stations, enrolling in subscription plans, and more.
Notably, Honda is asserting its position as the first automaker in the US to offer charging credits redeemable across multiple networks. Honda and Acura EV owners will have a selection of charging credit packages at their disposal, featuring incentives such as a $750 EVgo public charging credit, a $500 credit for home charging installation, a $300 EVgo Level 1 and 2 charging credit, among others.
Both the Honda Prologue EV and the Acura ZDX SUVs will be equipped with a combined charging system (CCS) port upon their launch, with plans for NACS compatibility, although specific availability details for the NACS adapter are yet to be disclosed, with further information expected closer to the vehicle launch dates. Additionally, Honda is preparing to introduce another EV to the North American market in 2025, featuring an integrated NACS port.
These forthcoming EVs from Honda and Acura are based on General Motors’ Ultium architecture, potentially sharing battery and drive units with GM models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Honda has acknowledged that distinguishing Honda and GM EVs in terms of performance may be challenging due to the shared underpinnings.
In a broader industry move, BMW, Honda, and Ford recently established ChargeScape, LLC, a platform aimed at enabling EV owners to manage their energy consumption efficiently. Participants will have the opportunity to earn rewards by charging their EVs during periods of low electricity demand and by returning energy from EV batteries to the grid during peak demand or emergency situations.
Furthermore, Honda is in the midst of a collaboration with Sony, resulting in the development of an electric vehicle bearing the name “Afeela.” This EV prototype showcases a futuristic interior with extensive digital features. Equipped with Qualcomm chips, the Afeela is expected to offer SAE Level 3 driver assistance systems. Production of the Afeela EV is scheduled to commence in 2025 at one of Honda’s manufacturing facilities in Ohio.
