Promotional image of Ionna, the North American EV charging joint venture by Hyundai, Kia, and other automakers. (Image provided by Hyundai Motor)
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai and Kia, along with other global automakers, have launched operations for their joint electric vehicle (EV) charging venture, Ionna, marking a significant expansion of EV infrastructure across the United States.
Hyundai announced on February 4 that Ionna, established last year to develop a robust North American charging network, held an inauguration ceremony at its headquarters in Durham, North Carolina, officially commencing its commercial operations.
In addition to the North Carolina location, Ionna has opened new charging stations in Willoughby and Springfield, Ohio, as well as Scranton, Pennsylvania, with six additional sites currently under construction. Since its founding in early 2024, the venture has secured agreements for charging station locations at over 100 sites nationwide.
Following rigorous testing, Ionna has already conducted more than 4,400 charging sessions across 80 different vehicle models. The company plans to install over 1,000 chargers nationwide by the end of 2025 and aims to establish more than 30,000 charging stations by 2030.
Starting this quarter, select Ionna charging stations will introduce AI-powered automated ordering and pickup services, developed in collaboration with Amazon. The unmanned retail service will enable customers to purchase beverages, snacks, and essentials 24/7 directly at the stations.
Ionna also plans to introduce AI-based smart route optimization, in-car payment systems, and other convenience features to enhance the user experience. “Our goal is to develop the most advanced and feature-rich charging network in the U.S.,” the company stated.
Ionna was formed as a joint venture between Hyundai, Kia, and major global automakers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota.
The initiative comes as Tesla continues to dominate the U.S. fast-charging network, operating nearly two-thirds of all high-speed charging stations nationwide. By expanding its own network, Ionna aims to reduce dependence on Tesla’s charging infrastructure and provide a competitive alternative for EV owners.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
