IONNA, the electric vehicle charging joint venture founded by General Motors Co. in Detroit, Stellantis in Auburn Hills, and BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota, has launched its first IONNA Rechargery in Apex, N.C.
The launch of its national release comes after what IONNA calls “a rigorous testing phase in late 2024.”
Automaker vehicle fleets and everyday drivers helped stress-test the IONNA network, completing more than 4,400 charging sessions, on over 80 unique vehicle models, and dispensing nearly 63,000 kilowatt-hours of energy.
During that time, IONNA says it has refined its hardware, software, and customer experience to confidently step into a new phase of nationwide expansion.
To mark this next national release stage, IONNA announced more than 100 contracted sites nationwide, including Rechargeries in Houston, Abilene, Kan., and Willcox, Ariz., joining another six additional locations under construction.
IONNA also recently opened of its new headquarters and customer experience lab in Durham, N.C., a hub dedicated to ongoing testing, innovation, and commitment to a driver-first experience.
The joint venture plans to bring more than 1,000 additional charging bays online in 2025.
This effort is more than just deploying infrastructure, according to the company, it’s a “substantial investment in American jobs and manufacturing.” Each of the 30,000 charging bays built over the next five years represents “new jobs across the nation, cutting-edge technological innovation, and a vision to open America’s roads to driver choice.”
Beginning this quarter at the Garner, N.C. location, IONNA will introduce computer-vision powered by AI and sensor fusion technology to enable automated grab-and-go offerings. Made possible by collaborating with Amazon and leveraging its industry leading Just Walk Out technology, these retail spaces will allow drivers to grab refreshments and essentials 24/7 without checkout lines.
IONNA says it plans to “set a new standard for interoperability and ease of use in 2025.” Plug and Charge technology, already available, is expected to grow to include a number of new automakers as the year progresses. Through vehicle integration, IONNA also will enable features like AI-driven smart reservations/routing optimization, in-car payments and other features.
