Search: Ionna

Hyundai has introduced a permanent 10 per cent discount at Ionna fast-charging stations across the United States for owners of eligible electric vehicles, effective from 19 August. The discount applies to 2022 and newer Ioniq 5s, 2025 and newer Ioniq 5 Ns and Kona Electrics, and 2026 and newer Ioniq 9s, as well as select Genesis models, when charging sessions are initiated through the MyHyundai app or Plug Charge. Ionna, a joint venture between eight automakers including Hyundai, operates more than 150 charging locations and plans to install over 30,000 fast-charging points by 2030.

Why it matters: The discount strengthens the commercial case for Ionna's network expansion and signals how automaker-backed charging ventures are using pricing incentives to drive utilisation and differentiate from independent CPOs. For procurement teams, it highlights the growing role of OEM partnerships in shaping charging economics and customer routing decisions.

Octopus Energy US has introduced Octopus Charge, a single app offering access to tens of thousands of charging stations across the United States and Canada. The programme builds on the success of the company's Electroverse platform in the UK and Europe, which since 2020 has grown to provide access to more than one million public charge points across more than 40 countries. Notable networks including Tesla, Electrify America, IONNA and Walmart are not yet listed among participating charge point operators.

Why it matters: A unified payment and access platform could simplify procurement decisions for fleet operators managing multi network charging needs and reduce driver friction at public infrastructure. The absence of major US networks limits immediate utility, but the model's European scale suggests potential for broader North American interoperability if adoption grows.

JD Power's 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study found customer satisfaction with DC fast chargers rose 12 points year on year to 666 on a 1,000 point scale, with charger availability improving by 27 points, location safety by 18 points and cost of charging by 18 points. The public charging non charge visit rate fell to 12%, down from 14% a year earlier and the lowest level recorded in the study. Three new OEM backed DC fast charging networks, including IONNA, which ranked highest among DC fast charger stations in its first year of award eligibility, have recently launched and performed well on ease of charging, charging speed and charger availability.

Why it matters: The 27 point jump in charger availability and record low failure rate signal that network reliability is finally catching up with deployment pace, reducing a key barrier to fleet electrification. The strong debut of OEM backed networks suggests vertically integrated charging models may set new operational benchmarks that independent CPOs will need to match to compete for site partnerships and driver loyalty.

Walmart and Ionna are rapidly expanding their EV charging networks in the United States with pricing below market averages, according to Chargenomics data. Walmart is deploying 400 kW Alpitronic chargers with both NACS and CCS plugs, offering a 10% discount to Walmart+ members, and has installed hundreds of chargers in recent months. Ionna, backed by eight automakers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota, has committed to building 30,000 fast chargers across the United States and Canada by 2030.

Why it matters: The combination of aggressive network expansion and competitive pricing from two major players signals a potential shift in the EV charging market towards price competition, which could influence procurement strategies and site selection for charge point operators. Walmart's rapid rollout demonstrates the viability of retail-anchored charging sites, while Ionna's automaker backing and 30,000-charger target represents significant new supply entering the market.

IONNA, the automaker consortium backed by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota, scored 807 out of 1,000 in the 2026 JD Power US Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study, ahead of Mercedes-Benz Charging Network at 797 and Rivian Adventure Network at 755. The network, which operates 1,375 ports across 150 stations, uses Alpitronic hardware and proprietary software, with CEO Seth Cutler citing first-attempt success rate as its reliability metric. JD Power noted the newer automaker-backed networks scored more than 100 points above segment average in ease of charging, charging speed and charger availability.

Why it matters: The strong debut validates the amenity-rich Rechargery model for procurement teams evaluating site design standards, whilst IONNA's rapid climb to the top of reliability rankings may influence OEM partnerships and hardware selection for CPOs competing on driver satisfaction metrics.

The United States now has nearly 252,000 public EV charging ports across roughly 81,000 locations, marking a 79% increase in total ports and a 50% rise in charging sites since July 2023, according to federal data cited by Cars.com. The network includes more than 178,000 Level 2 chargers and over 73,000 DC fast chargers, with Tesla operating around 40,000 Supercharger ports and contributing approximately 1,600 of the DC fast chargers added this year. California led state level growth with about 1,300 new DC fast chargers since January, while Florida, Texas, Illinois and New York also recorded significant gains, alongside expansion by Electrify America, EVgo and Ionna.

Why it matters: The near doubling of charging infrastructure in 12 months signals accelerating deployment opportunities for CPOs and contractors, particularly in DC fast charging where port counts grew substantially. State level data highlighting California's 1,300 unit addition and growth in Florida, Texas, Illinois and New York point to where procurement pipelines and site development work remain most active.

Ionna, LLC has applied to install eight EV charging stalls served by four dual-port chargers at Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, New Jersey. The proposal would remove 10 existing parking stalls, reducing the total from 960 to 958 spaces, still above the 912 required under zoning. The Princeton Planning Board is scheduled to hear the application at a virtual meeting, with variances required for branded signage that would cover roughly 523.95 square inches, exceeding the permitted 255 square inches.

Why it matters: The application offers insight into site development requirements and variance processes for charge point operators expanding into retail locations. The dual-port charger configuration and parking credit system demonstrate how municipalities are balancing EV infrastructure deployment with existing parking requirements.

BMW has launched a preferred pricing programme giving BMW and MINI EV drivers 20% off charging sessions at Ionna stations across the United States, running from now until 30 September 2026. The discount applies automatically when drivers use Plug and Charge or the My BMW App, with no subscription required. Ionna, backed by eight automakers including BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Stellantis and Toyota, currently operates more than 1,000 charging bays in the US with 4,700 bays contracted nationwide.

Why it matters: The deal highlights how automaker-backed charging networks are using brand-specific discounts to drive utilisation and loyalty, a competitive tactic that independent CPOs may need to counter. Ionna's rapid expansion to over 1,000 live bays and 4,700 contracted sites signals significant near-term procurement activity across the US fast-charging market.

EV charging network Ionna will install its charging stations at more than 350 Circle K convenience stores across the United States, including converting and upgrading 85 existing Circle K charging sites. The first Ionna stations at Circle K locations will open by the end of 2026, with additional deployments following in 2027. Circle K, owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard, operates more than 7,300 stores in the US.

Why it matters: This partnership creates a significant procurement pipeline for high-powered charging infrastructure at established retail locations, offering CPOs insight into how major convenience store chains are scaling EV charging through strategic network partnerships. The conversion of 85 existing sites also signals potential upgrade and retrofit opportunities in the market.

Italian hardware provider Alpitronic is testing its HYC1000 megawatt chargers at its Charlotte, North Carolina headquarters, delivering up to 1,000 kW for semi trucks and 600 kW for passenger EVs. The technology can charge batteries from 10% to 80% in 7 minutes or less, though current US market EVs cannot accept these charging rates. Alpitronic has secured supply deals with Ionna, Walmart, Mercedes Benz High Power Charging, Electrify America and BP Pulse.

Why it matters: Megawatt charging hardware is now available in the US market ahead of vehicle capability, giving CPOs and site hosts early access to future proof infrastructure that may accelerate procurement decisions as automakers develop compatible models. The technology addresses a key adoption barrier by promising refuelling parity with petrol stations.

Ionna, the charging joint venture backed by major automakers, is celebrating its second anniversary with an event hosted by State of Charge in Pennsylvania. The celebration marks two years since the consortium was formed to build a North American fast-charging network. No specific deployment figures or site counts were disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: The anniversary event signals Ionna's continued commitment to its network rollout, offering procurement teams and site hosts a chance to gauge the consortium's progress and future pipeline as it competes with established CPO networks across the United States.

US networks installed more than 18,000 new DC fast charging ports in 2025, up from roughly 14,000 in 2024, according to Paren's latest industry report. Q4 2025 alone saw 5,769 ports deployed, 44 per cent higher than Q4 2024 and exceeding Paren's own 16,700 port forecast for the full year. Tesla beat projections by around 13 per cent, while Mercedes Benz HPC surpassed expectations by 193 per cent and Ionna by 48 per cent.

Why it matters: The accelerating rollout, especially at larger, higher capacity stations, signals sustained infrastructure investment despite cautious EV market sentiment. Procurement teams and CPOs can expect fiercer competition for high throughput sites and faster network expansion from both established and emerging operators.

IONNA has launched five new EV charging hubs across Illinois, adding 38 charging bays at sites in Pontiac (10 bays), Gilman (10 bays), McHenry (6 bays), Vernon Hills (6 bays) and Hanover Park (6 bays). The openings, attended by Governor JB Pritzker, follow a year in which Illinois saw 411 new public charging locations installed, with less than half receiving federal or state grant support. Illinois now has 162,375 battery electric vehicles on the road, a 32.5% increase over 2025.

Why it matters: The rollout demonstrates strong private sector confidence in Illinois' EV market, with over half of new charging locations deployed without public subsidy. For CPOs and contractors, the state's US$148 million allocation to IDOT for federal charging programmes signals continued procurement opportunities despite broader federal funding uncertainty.