EV Charger Company Expands to 177 Stations Despite Setbacks

When eight of the world's largest car companies join forces despite being fierce competitors, something important is happening.

IONNA, a Durham-based electric vehicle charging company, just received the highest rating from J.D. Power for DC fast-charging experience in America. The honor comes at a challenging time for the EV industry, with some automakers pulling back on electric vehicle production and federal tax credits disappearing.

But CEO Seth Cutler isn't worried. "EV sales are not going to zero," he said. "In fact, I think they're going to stay at the same level or start to increase next year."

The company launched its first station in Apex, North Carolina, in February 2025. Today, IONNA operates 177 charging stations across 30 states, with another 80 under construction.

BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota founded IONNA in 2023. These competitors recognized that making EV charging as reliable as filling a gas tank benefits everyone.

"Customers are asking whether the EV will fit naturally into their daily lives," said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy and head of IONNA's board. "By improving access, IONNA is helping to remove one of the most visible barriers to broader EV adoption."

Quality matters as much as quantity to IONNA. Sheffer describes visiting a competitor's charging station behind a Triangle convenience store, where drivers stood in the sun next to an overflowing dumpster while their cars recharged.

IONNA calls its locations "rechargeries" and designs them with customer comfort in mind. Early locations in Apex and Garner feature lounges where people can grab coffee and snacks while waiting.

The company is now partnering with convenience store chains like Sheetz, WaWa, and Casey's to expand faster. "We can be in close proximity to their front door, so drivers will get the same experience with electric as they get with gasoline," Cutler said.

The Ripple Effect

J.D. Power's recognition reflects six years of surveying EV drivers about charging experiences, including ease, speed, cost, and station conditions. IONNA's focus on quality shows that treating customers well during a transition period creates lasting loyalty.

The collaboration between competing automakers demonstrates something bigger than business strategy. When rivals work together to solve shared challenges, everyone benefits, including the 177 communities now hosting IONNA stations.

For North Carolina, which hosts more than a dozen locations, the expansion means cleaner air and more charging options for the growing number of EV drivers on the road.

Opening 2,000 stations by 2030 remains ambitious, but Cutler says it's gone from feeling like a "hobby business" to a genuine network people rely on.