This Ionna rechargery in Garner, North Carolina, has a lounge, bathrooms and market. Photo: Courtesy of Ionna
Tesla's Supercharger network has long been the gold standard for EV charging, but several carmakers have banded together to raise the stakes.
Driving the news: Automaker-backed Ionna plans to open four "Rechargeries" in North Texas as part of a push to make EV charging less of a hassle.
Why it matters: Electric vehicle charging has been a mess for years — with inconvenient, inoperable and isolated stations holding back EV adoption.
Now, the industry is experiencing a rare do-over, with a greater focus on amenities, safety, reliability and brand loyalty.
What they're doing: Ionna is a joint venture between BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota.
The venture aims to open 30,000 charging bays across the U.S. by 2030 — roughly the same number of plugs Tesla has today, but with faster speeds.
Ionna's "rechargeries" will offer 400 kW charging and amenities such as lighted canopies, coffee, bathrooms, food, and spaces to hang out or take meetings. Think gas station, but better — and electric.
The first 12 rechargeries are open, including in Houston and Corsicana.
Zoom in: Grand Prairie will have two locations, one with 10 charging bays alongside an Exxon and another with 10 charging bays near a Starbucks and Panera Bread.
Lewisville will have six charging bays next to a Chevron and taqueria.
Plano's rechargery will have a restaurant and vending machine.
Zoom out: Amenities vary by location. The first rechargery in Apex, North Carolina, is in a former gas station, where the service shop is now a cafe.
Another rechargery in Garner, North Carolina, features Amazon's "Just Walk Out" technology in the snack shop.
Fun fact: The fastest Tesla chargers deliver up to 250 kW of power; Ionna chargers provide 400 kW.
What they're saying: "We're experimenting with different business models," CEO Seth Cutler tells Axios. "We want to make sure the driver experience they have is better, bar none, than what they'd have at a gas station today."
