IONNA tops 180 charging sites, with discounts for these EV drivers

This is about public EV charging, not home energy upgrades, but it's worth a quick note if you drive an electric car. IONNA, a fast-charging network backed by eight automakers including GM, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Kia, Stellantis, and Toyota, now has more than 180 charging sites open across the US, more than double what it had at the start of the year. Over 40 of the new sites are at Circle K convenience stores, part of a plan to eventually bring chargers to more than 350 Circle K locations.

If you drive a Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, or BMW, you can now get a 10% discount on IONNA charging through your automaker's app, using a feature called Plug & Charge that lets your car handle payment automatically when you plug in, no separate app needed. IONNA says its other founding automakers will add the discount later. Volvo drivers already have Plug & Charge access, and Toyota and Lexus support is expected in October.

None of this affects home charging equipment, electricity bills, or rebates for home upgrades. It's about the public fast-charging network some EV owners rely on for road trips or when they can't charge at home. If you own or are considering an EV, it may be worth checking whether your automaker's app now includes IONNA discounts.