Ionna: Overcoming Charging Anxiety
One of the biggest challenges to widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption in America is the buying public’s concern about charging infrastructure.
While the number of Level 3 DC fast chargers available for the growing number of EVs is an ongoing challenge, new chargers are being installed every day by many existing charging networks. However, simply installing new chargers is not enough; improving the overall charging experience for EV drivers is key to improving EV charging and addressing the anxiety of buyers.
A new charging network, Ionna, is looking to not only increase the number of charging stations but also significantly improve the charging experience.
The DC Charging Experience Today
There’s nothing more upsetting for an EV driver than pulling up to the DC fast charger that they had planned to charge at, only to find that the charger isn’t working. Whether it’s down for maintenance, doesn’t initiate a charging session, or doesn’t accept the payment, it’s a frustrating experience for both new and experienced EV drivers. Unfortunately, this is also a common reality for many non-Tesla charging stations today in America.
EV drivers often report reliability issues with non-Tesla charging stations and networks. Charger “uptime” - the percentage of time that a charging station is in operation and ready to successfully charge an EV – is being addressed by many networks and is a key measurement of charger reliability. But many EV drivers also report issues with chargers not functioning properly, not charging at optimal speeds, problems initiating a charging session, or stopping part-way through a charging session.
How To Access EV Public Charging Stations
Paying for your charging session today is more complicated than paying to fill up a gas car. While most charging stations will take credit cards, they don’t always work properly, or take too long to process the payment. Using a network’s app for payment is always an option, but each network has its own app. So, drivers need to download a multitude of charging network apps and carry a balance on each of those apps. Plug and Charge, which allows direct charging for non-Teslas, is a great feature, but it’s unfortunately not available on all chargers today.
The location of chargers is also an issue. While the charging station may be conveniently located off a major highway, the specific placement of the actual chargers may be less than ideal. It’s not uncommon for DC public chargers to be located in isolated areas, like the back of a building, or at the farthest point of a large parking lot. They can also be poorly-lit and far away from amenities and conveniences like bathrooms, restaurants, or even security. EV drivers often feel like they have to stay in their vehicles while charging.
New Ionna Charging Network
Ionna is a new DC fast charging network for North America. It was founded by eight automakers; GM, Hyundai, Kia, Stellantis, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota. Outside of Tesla’s Supercharger network or Volkswagen Group’s ElectrifyAmerica/Canada network, this is the only other network with direct automaker investment and involvement.
Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Ionna started its operations in 2024, and aims to significantly improve EV charging reliability and provide a best-in-class charging experience. The company is targeting 30,000 charging bays in the U.S.A. by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing and largest DC charging networks in America. It’s an ambitious plan and expansion. By comparison, Tesla’s Supercharging network currently has about 28,000 charging stalls that took about thirteen years to build.
Rechargeries
Ionna refers to its charging station deaign as a “Rechargery”, to differentiate it from today’s conventional charging stations. Like other charging stations, the Ionna Rechargeries are planned to be located along major highways and urban areas. However, the Rechargeries are designed to be more than simple charging stations with stalls.
Each Rechargery is designed to address today’s customer pain points with EV chargers. All sites will have amenities on-site, and other conveniences for use while your EV is charging. For some Rechargeries, Ionna will be partnering with local entrepreneurs to offer food and beverage, making each Rechargery different while supporting the local economy. Other amenities, such as coffee stations, vending machines, secured on-site bathrooms, lounges, and bookable meeting rooms, will allow all EV drivers to relax and feel secure while their EV is charging. No more sitting in your EV while charging.
Rechargeries will be equipped with high-powered and reliable DC fast chargers that deliver up to 400kW and support both NACS and CCS ports. That’s significantly more powerful than today’s 350kW chargers, which themselves aren’t always easy to find. These powerful chargers not only help future-proof the Rechargeries for future EVs, but also allow two EVs to charge at once up to 200kW which is more than enough power for most EVs today. Reliable and fast credit card payment systems will be installed along with a user-friendly mobile app. The sites plan to accommodate Plug and Charge in the future.
While not every Rechargery will have canopies, they will have amenities. Many of the new sites will be designed with pull-through stalls that will allow for charging even with vehicles that are towing trailers.
Ionna Network: Future Expansion
Ionna launched its first Rechargery in Apex, North Carolina at the end of 2024. For 2025, Ionna will launch nine new Rechargeries:
§ Abliene Rechargery – Abilene, KS
§ WaKeeney Rechargery - WaKeeney, KS
§ Garner Rechargery - Garner, NC
§ Willoughby Rechargery - Willoughby, OH
§ Springfield Rechargery - Springfield OH
§ Reynoldsburg Rechargery, - Reynoldsburg, OH
§ Scranton Rechargery - Scranton, PA
§ Houston Rechargery - Houston , TX
§ Corsicana Rechargery - Corsicana,TX
In addition, Ionna is also partnering with Sheetz convenience stores to build 50 Rechargeries in the Midwest and Eastern US.
Vehicle-Charger Integration
One of the unique advantages of Tesla’s Supercharger network is that Tesla vehicles communicate directly with the company’s Superchargers. With this ability, a Tesla vehicle can determine if a charger is down for maintenance or is occupied, and can reroute the vehicle to another charger if needed. It can also precondition the battery so that when it arrives at the charger, it charges at the fastest speed. The communication between the vehicle and charger also helps facilitate a reliable charging session.
Non-Tesla EVs today can route plan for charging stops but only based on geographical locations of the chargers using the vehicle’s onboard navigation system. Unlike Tesla vehicles, they don’t talk directly to the chargers.
Since Ionna is backed by eight automakers, its aim is to integrate communication between each of the brands’ EVs and the Rechargeries, allowing for more accurate charger route planning, battery pre-conditioning, and an overall better charging experience for owners.
Public EV Charging Stations: Getting the Fundamentals Right
While the future of EV charging will no doubt benefit from technological innovations and a larger charging infrastructure, improving charging basics is the foundation for the future of EV charging.
Improving the EV charging experience by addressing reliability, uptime, payment systems, and charging speeds lay the foundation for better charging. Adding amenities like food and beverage, security and shelter provide EV owners with a better experience while charging their EVs.
Until we can get the fundamentals right, the future of charging cannot happen. Companies like Ionna are leading the way by improving the overall charging experience.
