Yet another automaker has joined as an investor and founding partner in a new charging venture, as Toyota joins the Ionna EV charging network. Toyota Motor North America announced that it has joined seven other automakers as an investor and founding partner in the Ionna DC fast-charging network, which plans to deploy at least 30,000 charge ports in North America by 2030. The other companies are BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.

The Japanese manufacturer intends to support the buildout of the network in the US and Canada, which will start this year. The stations will include both NACS and CCS connectors.

Toyota currently offers two all-electric car models, the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ (both CCS-compatible), which will gain access to the new charging infrastructure immediately. The first NACS-compatible Toyota and Lexus models are set to enter the market in 2025.

In the coming years, the company will launch two all-new three-row SUVs that will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI). Considering Toyota’s plan to launch 30 all-electric models globally by 2030 and increase its EV production volume to 3.5 million units annually, we can expect that this is just the beginning.

The all-new Ionna network is promised to “provide the coverage drivers need, the reliability they deserve, and the amenities they crave.” According to Toyota, Ionna’s focus on the holistic customer experience aligns closely with the brand.

Ionna

Adding an additional eight manufacturers to its roster is positive news for Ionna, as it allows the company to share costs between more players and promote the new network over a larger number of EV drivers (although all EVs are welcome). Details related to the infrastructure or pricing have not yet been announced.

Ted Ogawa, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, said:

“We are excited to announce our support of IONNA to deploy DC fast chargers throughout the U.S. and Canada. We believe this will not only promote the adoption of BEVs and increase customer confidence in the technology, but it will provide our Toyota and Lexus customers with access to IONNA’s rapidly growing charging network in North America.”

Seth Cutler, the CEO of IONNA, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Toyota to our growing IONNA family. Their vision for the future of electric mobility in North America aligns perfectly with our mission to push the boundaries for the highest standards of quality, reliability, and customer experience. This partnership marks another significant achievement of many to come in our joint journey to transform EV charging and spearhead the adoption of sustainable transportation in North America.”