Toyota is taking a major step towards bolstering electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by investing in Ionna, a company dedicated to deploying a robust charging network across North America. This move aligns Toyota with seven other major automakers—BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis—in a collaborative effort to enhance EV accessibility and convenience for consumers.
Announced on Wednesday, this investment grants Toyota and Lexus customers access to Ionna’s public network of DC fast chargers, which will begin rolling out later this year. With Toyota’s current lineup of mass-market battery EVs, including the Toyota bZ4X and the Lexus RZ, this partnership ensures that drivers of these models will have reliable and widespread charging options. Toyota aims to significantly expand its battery EV offerings, with plans to introduce 30 models globally and produce up to 3.5 million units annually by 2030.
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Ionna, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, has ambitious plans to install at least 30,000 charging ports across North America by the end of the decade. These stations will be equipped with both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, accommodating a wide range of EVs. Currently, CCS and NACS are the predominant plug types for public fast-charging stations, with NACS being the standard for all Tesla vehicles.
The White House is actively supporting the standardization of Tesla’s NACS plugs for all EVs in the United States, a move designed to simplify the charging process and encourage EV adoption as part of broader climate change initiatives. By joining forces with other leading automakers, Toyota’s investment in Ionna not only enhances the charging infrastructure but also demonstrates a unified industry commitment to advancing the future of electric mobility.
