IONNA Enters National EV Charging Release Phase
On February 4, 2025, IONNA, the joint venture founded by the world’s leading automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota – announced its transition from public beta to full-scale national release. This milestone marks a historic moment for the American road, as these eight global automakers gathered at the first-ever IONNA Rechargery in Apex, NC, alongside the opening of a new headquarters and Customer Experience Lab in Durham, NC. A joint ribbon-cutting ceremony underscored their unprecedented commitment to building a best-in-class charging network designed, engineered, and built in the USA.
After a rigorous testing phase in late 2024, IONNA’s network was stress-tested by automaker vehicle fleets and everyday drivers, completing over 4,400 charging sessions, across more than 80 unique vehicle models, and dispensing nearly 63,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. With these results, IONNA has refined its hardware, software, and customer experience, confidently entering a new phase of nationwide expansion.
To celebrate this national release, IONNA proudly announced the opening of over 100 contracted sites nationwide, including new Rechargeries in Houston, Texas, and Abilene, Kansas, as well as the upcoming addition of Willcox, Arizona, and six other locations under construction. Furthermore, the opening of IONNA’s headquarters and customer experience lab in Durham, NC, will serve as a hub dedicated to ongoing testing, innovation, and a continued commitment to a driver-first experience.
Since its inception, IONNA has embodied the pioneering spirit of the American road trip, grounded in values of freedom, reliability, and world-class service. With plans to bring over 1,000 additional charging bays online in 2025, IONNA is fulfilling its mission to provide drivers with essential coverage, unmatched reliability, and modern amenities. This is not only about deploying infrastructure; it is also a major investment in American jobs and manufacturing. Over the next five years, the 30,000 new charging bays will create job opportunities across the nation, drive cutting-edge technological innovation, and promote a vision of accessible roads that offer drivers greater choice.
Rooted in American drive and ingenuity, IONNA is also introducing advanced technology to redefine the charging experience. Beginning in Q1 2025, the Garner, NC location will feature computer-vision powered by AI and sensor fusion technology for automated grab-and-go offerings. In partnership with Amazon, and leveraging their industry-leading “Just Walk Out” technology, these innovative retail spaces will allow drivers to grab refreshments and essentials around the clock, without needing to wait in checkout lines.
As 2025 progresses, IONNA will also set a new standard for interoperability and ease of use. Plug & Charge technology, already available, will expand to include a growing number of automakers, and new features like AI-driven smart reservations, routing optimization, and in-car payments will be introduced. With this, IONNA aims to become the most integrated charging network in America.
