Automaker-backed EV fast-charging network expands by over 100% in 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Ionna, a joint venture of eight major automakers, announced that its electric‑vehicle fast‑charging network has more than doubled in size and is now the largest 400‑kilowatt operator in the United States.

The joint venture, launched in 2024, was created by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes‑Benz, Stellantis and Toyota to improve charging access for each automaker’s customers and to support broader EV adoption in the U.S. By choosing 400‑kW chargers, Ionna moved beyond the 350‑kW hardware that other networks such as Electrify America were deploying.

The company noted that very few EVs on the market can charge above 350 kW even for a short time, but the new standard is expected to become more common as vehicle technology advances.

In August, Ionna was named the top EV charging network in J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study in its first year of eligibility. The study ranked Ionna ahead of Tesla’s Supercharger network, which was placed fourth. The joint venture cited its customer‑centric focus and industry‑leading customer satisfaction as a factor for its growth this year.

Unlike its competitors, Ionna chose not to develop a proprietary charging app. Instead, the company’s chargers integrate with charging software platforms from Presto, ChargeHub, EV Connect and others. The release said that Ionna‑supported partner apps have reached 19 in total. The network is also rolling out Plug & Charge capabilities for Volvo, Toyota and Lexus vehicles in October to make the charging experience more seamless.

Hyundai, Mercedes‑Benz, BMW and General Motors already offer Ionna charging discounts through their respective apps and Plug & Charge. The Plug & Charge‑compatible chargers bill a customer’s account when the vehicle is plugged in, requiring no credit card or third‑party charging app to pay for a session.

Ionna’s newly established Driver Advisory Council will collect feedback on network performance and customer priorities via a newly launched “Driver’s Dashboard” feature. The company said it will use the data for future product development and to improve the charging experience across its network. The Driver’s Dashboard will provide customers with real‑time, charging session details without the need for another EV charging app.

It is designed to be easy and convenient to use, with no downloads, subscription requirements or password logins, the release added.

“The industry has treated charging scale and charging quality as a tradeoff. Our growth and first‑place customer satisfaction ranking show that drivers can and should expect both,” said Ionna CEO Seth Cutler in a statement. “The Ionna team is focused on delivering quality at scale to enable the sale and adoption of EVs in North America.”

As its network continues to expand, Ionna said it will remain focused on industry collaboration, which it says is the “fastest path to improving EV charging across North America.” The company also takes feedback from customers on suggested future charger locations, which are reviewed by its site acquisition team for consideration.

Experts expect private sector work on ESG issues and the clean energy transition to continue, albeit at a slower pace, under a reelected Donald Trump. Financial institutions have increasingly departed groups like the Net‑Zero Banking Alliance and Climate Action 100+, but experts say banks are still committed to sustainability.

Related: Ionna · Seth Cutler