IONNA, the charging network venture of BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, has finally secured the necessary government permits to start operations in North America just seven months after announcing the initiative.
Regulatory approval
According to the press release, the seven major electric vehicle players officially obtained approval from all the relevant regulatory agencies to kick off the IONNA charging network’s operations in North America.
This significant development authorized IONNA to launch in the US market in late 2024, followed by Canada at the later phase of the project.
In addition, the joint venture has also named its first Chief Executive Officer, who is an electric vehicle charging expert. CEO Seth Cutler was initially a former Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at EV Connect, then advanced as the President and COO. He also worked at General Electric and the early emergence of Electrify America.
“I am honored to lead IONNA and work alongside these esteemed automakers in shaping the future of electric mobility. Our shared commitment to creating an extensive, high-powered charging network reflects our dedication to revolutionizing the entire EV charging experience and helping to drive widespread EV adoption.”
IONNA CEO Seth Cutler
About IONNA
IONNA is the official name of the joint venture of seven major OEMs in North America, including BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis announced in July 2023.
As EV-a2z reported, the joint venture seeks to install 30,000 high-powered charge points throughout urban and highway sites in the region by the end of the decade.
IONNA aims to support all electric vehicle owners regardless of the brand. In addition, it will also feature both the CSS and NACS plugs to access government subsidies.
Benefits
The imminent launch of IONNA’s operation in North America will undoubtedly encourage more drivers to join the shift to electric vehicles without worrying about the lack of charging infrastructure. It will aid in bridging the gap between the surging number of EVs and the number of public charging stations in the region.
In return, IONNA will enable the seven OEMs to compete with Tesla Superchargers in North America, which is currently regarded as the most reliable and enormous charging network. In fact, it is among the key factors that prompt customers to choose Tesla cars over other brands.
It is also interesting to note that six of these players, excluding Stellantis, also committed to adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) starting this year.
With IONNA, the seven OEMs seek to become North America’s leading high-powered charging provider for electric vehicles, promising to offer seamless, integrated, and “best-in-class experience.”
