Rapidly expanding DC fast charging company IONNA now has more than 180 sites open across the US, and EV drivers of four of its founding automakers’ brands can now get discounts when they plug in.
The automaker-backed network, which uses Alpitronic hardware and in-house-developed software, says it has more than doubled its footprint since the start of 2026 and is now the largest 400 kW charging network in the US.
IONNA’s eight founding automakers are BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota. They’re building a charging network open to all EV drivers with sites it calls “Rechargeries.”
More Circle K charging stops
More than 40 Rechargeries have opened at Circle Ks since IONNA announced its partnership with the convenience store chain in April.
As Electrek previously reported, the company aims to bring IONNA charging to more than 350 Circle K locations. That includes around 85 existing fast-charging sites that IONNA will upgrade and operate. The Circle K rollout features 400 kW chargers with both NACS and CCS connectors.
Discounts, without another charging app
Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz have joined BMW in offering IONNA 10% charging discounts through their automaker apps and Plug & Charge as of October 1. IONNA says its remaining founding automakers will follow.
Plug & Charge lets a compatible EV handle authentication and payment when it’s plugged in, so drivers don’t have to start each session through an app.
Volvo drivers now have Plug & Charge support on IONNA, with Toyota and Lexus support expected in October.
IONNA has also added integrations with Presto, ChargeHub, and EV Connect, bringing its supported partner apps to 19. Rather than asking drivers to download an IONNA app, the network is making its chargers accessible through other platforms.
“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 Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA. (IONNA ranked first for DC fast-charging satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2026 US Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study.)
When I asked Cutler what he felt was the biggest challenge facing the company going forward, he replied that it was ensuring quality remained high amid the company’s rapid growth.
EV drivers get a say
IONNA has established a Driver Advisory Council made up of members of the EV community to provide feedback on network performance, customer priorities, and future products.
The Council’s first assignment is gathering feedback on IONNA’s new Driver’s Dashboard, which lets drivers check real-time details of their charging session by scanning a QR code on the charging screen.
The next step reaches beyond the charging sites. Starting in Q1 of 2027, IONNA plans to send ambassadors to its eight backing automakers’ dealerships to teach staff about EV charging – putting that information where shoppers are deciding whether to buy an EV.
I was delighted to hear this news when Cutler told me yesterday, because, based on my own experience with dealerships, there is a lot of room for growth in EV knowledge, which really impacts buyers’ experiences and decision-making.
I had to teach my local VW dealership about the difference between Level 2 and DC fast charging after they put my ID.4 on the wrong charger. They’re also using the charging bays as parking spots for ICE cars. Maybe Electrify America should start a similar program for VW.
Read more: IONNA just beat every major EV fast-charging network
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