Why 7 competing automakers teamed up to establish a new EV charging network

How many automakers does it take to compete with Tesla’s Supercharger network?

For one newly formed joint venture, the answer is seven: BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.

This supergroup of auto industry heavyweights announced Feb. 9 that the JV they unveiled last July is now official, complete with regulatory approval, a CEO, and a name: IONNA.

IONNA will now get to work establishing a network of at least 30,000 new EV fast chargers across North America, with plans for the first batch to come online in the US this year. The venture’s stated goal is to be “the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations” on the continent. The effort, if successful, would represent a major expansion of the number of high-speed chargers available to EV drivers in the US—and will compete against other automaker-backed charging networks like VW-owned Electrify America and Tesla’s Supercharger.

“It makes a ton of sense, because EV car sales are slowing and there are two fundamental things that will speed it back up: Decrease the cost of the cars…and then deal with the No. 2 issue, which is range anxiety and the ability to get charging out there,” Andy Bennett, CEO of EV charging software company EVolve, told Tech Brew.

Currently, the US has just over 39,500 DC fast chargers, according to the Department of Energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated that about 182,000 DC fast chargers will be required to support 30 million to 42 million EVs by 2030.

Auto execs have said that such an effort is needed to help support faster EV adoption.

“The fight against climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. What we need now is speed—across political, social, and corporate boundaries,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said in a July statement. “Charging is an inseparable part of the EV experience, and this network will be another step to make it as convenient as possible.”

Initially, IONNA will establish charging stations in urban areas and “along major highways.” The companies have said they’ll use renewable energy to power the chargers. The network also will include amenities such as food service and restrooms.

IONNA’s chargers will support both Combined Charging System and North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports. Much of the auto industry has jumped to adopt NACS, Tesla’s charging standard, and Tesla has commenced opening its Supercharger network to other EVs.