OEM alliance and EV charging juggernaut IONNA has announced a key milestone today, transitioning from public beta testing in the US to a full-scale national release. The EV charging joint venture intends to deploy over 1,000 bays in the US this year en route to tens of thousands more this decade and has teased some exciting tech to make the overall experience more familiar for American drivers.
IONNA is an exciting new US EV charging joint venture initially announced in July 2023. It features an ensemble cast of noted OEMs, including BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota. At the time, the partners shared plans to leverage federal and state investments in public charging with their own public and private funding to quickly develop and implement a new network of “high-powered” EV chargers across North America.
Each pending site will have multiple DC fast chargers accessible to all EV drivers, whether their vehicles use CCS or NACS (should we even mention CHAdeMO anymore?). That joint venture would later be named IONNA, a nod to its European counterpart, IONITY.
By February 2024, IONNA had named its first CEO and received approval from all necessary regulatory agencies to begin operations later that year in a public beta phase. One year later, IONNA is transitioning out of beta and is beginning its national release en route to deploying over 30,000 EV charging bays in the US (and maybe Canada?) over the next five years.
IONNA to begin wide scale US EV charging expansion
As posted by BMW on behalf of IONNA today, the unprecedented EV charging joint venture will begin its planned expansion in the US following a successful public beta phase. Per the release:
After a rigorous testing phase in late 2024, automaker vehicle fleets and everyday drivers helped stress-test the IONNA network, completing more than 4,400 charging sessions, on over 80 unique vehicle models, and dispensing nearly 63 thousand kilowatt-hours of energy. IONNA has refined its hardware, software, and customer experience to confidently step into a new phase of nationwide expansion.
To mark the milestone, all eight automakers met at IONNA’s first EV charging site in the US (what it calls a “Rechargery”), located in Apex, North Carolina, near its headquarters and Customer Experience Lab in Durham.
This week, the Apex Rechargery will be joined by the opening of additional EV charging stations around the US, including Houston, Texas, and Abilene, Kansas. A Rechargery in Willcox, Arizona, is now one of seven additional charging sites under construction and one of over 100 contracted nationwide.
IONNA intends to bring over 1,000 additional EV charging bays online in the US this year, “delivering on its mission to provide the coverage drivers need, the reliability they deserve, and the amenities they crave.” Speaking of amenities, we’ve learned more about what EV drivers can expect when visiting an IONNA Rechargery.
Its US EV charging locations will continue to offer Plug & Charge capabilities – a feature that will continue to be adopted by more EV automakers going forward. IONNA is also working to enable convenience features such as AI-driven smart reservations and routing optimization, plus in-car payments.
This quarter, at its Garner, North Carolina Rechargery, the joint venture is introducing automated grab-and-go offerings by collaborating with Amazon utilizing computer vision powered by AI and sensor fusion technology. During their EV charges, IONNA customers can visit 24/7 retail spaces and walk out with their items without waiting in line to checkout.
IONNA is looking to reimagine the US road trip for a new age of EV drivers and is utilizing exciting technology to provide people with a new yet familiar experience. Watch for IONNA Rechargeries as the joint venture expands through 2025 and beyond.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Several automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia, reported higher EV sales in the US in January. Here’s a look at some of the top-selling EV models (outside of Tesla) last month.
EV sales in the US by model in January 2025
With nearly 133,000 electric vehicles sold in December, EVs accounted for 8.8% of new car sales in the US, a new record.
According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, the strong end-of-year sales helped push total EV sales to 1.3 million in 2024, up 7.3% from 2024.
With Trump reportedly planning to end electric vehicle incentives, like the $7,500 federal tax credit, demand is expected to pick up as buyers look to lock in the savings before they disappear.
Several automakers reported US sales numbers for January, giving us a better idea of how the EV market is playing out.
Ford sold 5,666 EVs last month, up 21% and a new January record. The Mustang Mach-E had its best January with 3,529 models sold, up 173% from January 2024. Last year, the Mach-E was the second best-selling electric SUV behind Tesla’s Model Y. This year, it’s already losing ground.
Despite higher demand for the Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning sales slipped 15% to 1,907 units. Ford’s E-Transit electric van sales also fell 80%, with only 230 models sold last month.
Kia sold 1,542 EV6 models sold last month. However, sales of its three-row EV9 were down slightly (1,232 vs 1,408 in January 2023).
Sister company Hyundai notched double-digit sales growth with its popular EV models. As the upgraded 2025 model (with more range and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers) rolled out, Hyundai IONIQ 5 sales climbed 54%, with 2,250 units sold in January. Although IONIQ 6 sales were up 15% year over year (YOY), only 871 models were sold.
EV model
January 2025 sales
Honda Prologue
3,744
Ford Mustang Mach-E
3,529
Hyundai IONIQ 5
2,250
Ford F-150 Lightning
1,907
Kia EV6
1,542
Kia EV9
1,232
Subaru Solterra
1,052
Hyundai IONIQ 6
871
US electric vehicle sales by model in January 2025
The biggest surprise, again, was Honda. Honda’s electric Prologue continued to take the US by storm with another 3,744 models sold last month.
After delivering the first models last March, the Prologue was the seventh best-selling EV in the US in 2024. Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue’s in the US in 2024, beating out the Chevy Equinox EV (28,874) and Rivian R1S (26,934).
GM doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, so we’ll have to wait until April for quarterly sales to compare. Several others have yet to report January US sales. Check back for the latest numbers.
Tesla doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, but earlier today, Electrek reported that the EV maker saw its first annual drop in sales in California last year.
Are you in the market for a new electric vehicle? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on some of the most popular EVs in your area.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Genesis is preparing to launch its largest, most luxurious electric SUV yet. The Genesis GV90 EV was spotted for the first time in South Korea, revealing its ultra-luxury design.
Genesis GV90 spotted as a new ultra-luxury EV
Although we actually got our first look at the Genesis GV90 last week after it was spotted on a carrier, the latest sighting gives us a much closer look, with a view from nearly every angle.
Genesis previewed the full-size electric SUV with the Neolun concept last March. The concept featured an impressive “reductive” design, with the signature Genesis two-tone headlamps and Crest grille displayed upfront.
With premium features, including coach doors, the GV90 is expected to compete with ultra-luxury brands like Rolls Royce and Bentley.
The GV90 will serve as a “tech beacon” for Hyundai and its luxury Genesis brand as it scales up. Inside, you can expect to see Hyundai Motor’s latest OS and connectivity tech. Like the Hyundai IONIQ 9, the GV90 is expected to include dual 12.3″ clusters and infotainment screens in a panoramic curved display, but the Genesis model will be over the top.
A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect. Despite the camouflage, you can see that the GV90 maintains much of its design based on the concept.
From the back, it almost looks like the GV70 Electrified, but you can tell it’s even bigger. Genesis kept other design elements, like the connected rear lights and bumper design, shown in the concept.
The side view shows slight changes from the concept, including the turn signals on the fender. Despite a slightly more “rounded” profile, much of the design remains the same. The two-line daytime running lights and other design elements are pulled from the concept.
Genesis is expected to unveil the GV90 later this year, with mass production set to begin in early 2026. It’s expected to be available in two trims: Standard or Exclusive.
The Standard model is rumored to start at around 100 million won ($80,000), while the Exclusive trim, which will include ultra-luxury features like the coach doors from the concept, could cost upwards of 200 million won ($160,000). It’s like to be limited to just a few models.
The Genesis GV90 will be the first Hyundai Motor EV to ride on its new “eM” platform, set to replace its current E-GMP. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan EV plant in South Korea.
Would you buy the Premium Genesis GV90 model for around $160,000? In comparison, a 2024 Bentley Bentayga costs just over $200,000. Let us know what you think in the comments.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
KORE Power has scrapped plans for its $1 billion lithium-ion battery factory in Buckeye, Arizona, and its CEO and founder has resigned.
Idaho-based KORE Power announced plans to sell the site in Arizona originally designated for its 2-million-square-foot KOREPlex factory.
In an emailed statement, KORE said:
The company has recently undertaken a restructuring to provide more benefit to our customers and position the company for long-term success.
Plans for the KOREPlex in Buckeye, Arizona, will not move forward at this time.
The project, which was awarded an $850 million US Department of Energy loan in June 2023, was projected to bring around 3,000 jobs to the state. It was also positioned to be the first US-owned lithium-ion battery plant in the US.
KOREPlex would have featured multiple production lines to make batteries for EVs and battery storage systems. The factory would have produced nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium-ion iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells.
CEO Lindsay Gorrill also announced on LinkedIn that he is stepping down, and that president Jay Bellows is taking over as the new CEO. Gorrill will remain a member of the company’s board.
It is with great excitement that I announce Jay Bellows as the new CEO of KORE. Jay is a remarkable leader whose expertise, integrity, and dedication will undoubtedly take KORE to new heights. Having worked closely with him, I am confident in his ability to build on what we’ve achieved and lead KORE into a dynamic and successful future.
To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check outEnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get startedhere. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.