Sony and Honda’s joint venture, Afeela, is teaming up with Tesla to develop NACS capabilities for their forthcoming electric vehicles in North America and Japan.
Sony and Honda formed a partnership several years ago to develop AFEELA, a cutting-edge electric vehicle brand.
As part of their efforts to accelerate the launch of their inaugural electric vehicle, industry insiders have revealed that the manufacturer is taking a crucial step to ensure seamless compatibility with the existing charging ecosystem. By adopting the NACS connector and gaining access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, the company is set to significantly boost the appeal and usability of its forthcoming EVs.
Sony Honda Mobility Inc. Following its announcement, (hereinafter known as SHM) has reached a settlement with Tesla Inc. To commercialize the North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) for its “AFEELA” electric vehicles, set to debut on the market in 2025, initially in the United States and subsequently in Japan. This move solidifies SHM as Japan’s premier entity to adopt the NACS standard, thereby granting access to Tesla’s cutting-edge V3 and V4 Supercharger networks.
As the North American Charging Standard has gained traction across the region, following Tesla’s lead and with Ford and GM embracing it, the standard is also witnessing adoption in Japan.
In Japan, unlike many other countries, Tesla does not employ a standard charging connector; instead, it utilizes its proprietary charger, which is also widely available in North America. Although CHAdeMO initially gained traction as a charging standard in Japan and other select markets, its adoption is now gradually being phased out.
Sony and Honda are reportedly taking steps to accelerate the development of next-generation cars (NACS) in Japan.
As Max de Zegher, Director of Charging at Tesla, remarked,
With over 60,000 Tesla Superchargers worldwide, a vast network has been established, fostering a global community of electric vehicle enthusiasts. In Japan, a staggering 90% of high-power charging stations—those with capacities exceeding 150 kilowatts—are actually Supercharger terminals. Consistent with Tesla’s mission, our goal is to provide value-added support to companies transitioning to electric power and elevate the overall charging experience for all electric vehicle owners. As we eagerly anticipate the proliferation of the North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) in Japan, we’re thrilled to note that Sony Honda Mobility is joining the forefront of this innovative movement as the lead automotive partner.
As Yasuhide Mizuno, Consultant Director, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Honda Mobility Inc., stated:
Sony Honda Mobility is committed to delivering a unique value proposition by putting people at the heart of its mission, focused on creating a driving experience that combines thrill and entertainment. We’re committed to ensuring a comfortable experience for our buyers during every stage of their interaction with us, including the payment process. To achieve this goal, we’ve decided to implement the Network-As-A-Solution (NACS) initiative. We are deeply grateful to Tesla for providing us with the opportunity to participate in NACS, alongside their latest and most advanced technology-enhanced V3 and V4 Superchargers supporting our AFEELA initiative.
AFEELA is poised to bring its inaugural electric vehicles (EVs) to the market within the next 12 months. Despite some uncertainty, the company has hinted at exploring long-term lease or subscription-based models for their product’s rollout.
