Toyota Motor North America is investing in Ionna, giving Toyota and Lexus owners access to the anticipated electric vehicle charging network, according to a July 10 press release.
The automaker joins BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis as a founding partner in the joint venture. Toyota did not disclose how much it plans to invest in Ionna.
“We are excited to announce our support of IONNA to deploy DC fast chargers throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, in the release.
“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,” Ogawa said.
Ionna plans to install at least 30,000 charging ports in North America by 2030, with plans to begin opening the public network later this year. Stations will include both NACS and CCS connectors to support all battery electric vehicle drivers.
Last month, Ionna selected Durham, North Carolina, as its global headquarters, noting the HQ will enable it to quickly scale operations.
Toyota is also putting down roots in North Carolina with plans to open its 13th plant there in 2025. The $14 million project will manufacture batteries for EVs, creating more than 5,000 jobs.
The battery production lines will launch in phases through 2030 and reach a total of 30-gigawatt hours a year, the company said in October. Production is expected to begin in 2025.
More than one quarter of the 2.6 million Toyota vehicles sold last year were electrified, including full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, the Ionna release stated.
