IONNA, the joint venture founded by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, has begun the full-scale national launch of its electric vehicle rechargeries.

The first IONNA Rechargery in Apex, North Carolina, and a new HQ and Customer Experience Lab in Durham, are open. A joint ribbon-cutting event was held Feb. 4. A hub dedicated to ongoing testing, innovation, and unwavering commitment to a driver-first experience has also opened.

After a testing phase in late 2024, automaker vehicle fleets and everyday drivers helped stress-test the IONNA network, completing more than 4,400 charging sessions on more than 80 vehicle models, and dispensing nearly 63 thousand kilowatt-hours of energy.

IONNA says it has refined its hardware, software, and customer experience “to confidently step into a new phase of nationwide expansion.”

To mark this next national release stage, IONNA announced more than 100 contracted sites are open nationwide, including new Rechargeries in Houston, Texas, and Abilene, Kansas. Another is under construction in Willcox, Arizona, and at six more locations.

With plans to bring over 1,000 additional charging bays online this year, IONNA says it’s delivering on its mission to provide the charging availability coverage “drivers need, the reliability they deserve, and the amenities they crave.”

“This effort is more than just deploying infrastructure; it is a substantial investment in American jobs and manufacturing,” a press release from IONNA said. “Each of the 30,000 charging bays built over the next five years represents new jobs across the nation, cutting-edge technological innovation, and a vision to open America’s roads to driver choice.”

Beginning this quarter, at the Garner, North Carolina location, IONNA will introduce computer vision powered by AI and sensor fusion technology to enable automated grab-and-go offerings. Made possible by collaborating with Amazon, IONNA says the retail spaces will offer refreshments and essentials 24/7 without checkout lines.

Also this year, “Plug & Charge” technology will grow to include a leading number of automakers, the release says. Through vehicle integration, IONNA plans to also enable features like AI-driven smart reservations/routing optimization, in-car payments, and other features.