Ionna’s Fast Chargers Don’t Have An App. Here

• Ionna is one of the few EV charging operators that doesn’t have a smartphone app.
• That reduces app fatigue, but some EV owners might have trouble finding Ionna chargers because there’s no dedicated app.
• In an interview with Tom Moloughney, Ionna’s chief engineer for charging technology explains why not having an app was a conscious decision.

Ionna’s EV fast charging stations are among the best in the business, but they lack something that many EV owners have become accustomed to: a smartphone app. That’s a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, it reduces app fatigue because people don’t need yet another smartphone application installed to manage charging sessions and pay for them. On the other hand, it can make it harder for people to find the stations themselves.

In an interview with InsideEVs Contributing Editor and State Of Charge founder Tom Moloughney, the company’s chief engineer explains why not offering an app was a conscious choice from the get-go, and that there’s no actual need for yet another application.

As opposed to many other charging operators, Ionna was founded by several automakers, so there was already a solid base upon which the company could build its infrastructure: the cars’ infotainment systems and the carmakers’ own smartphone apps.

Ionna’s chargers have been integrated into apps like PlugShare, Google Maps, Apple Maps, ChargePoint and Shell. Additionally, the stations can be found in the navigation systems of EVs from several brands, including BMW, Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Kia and Mercedes-Benz. To top it all off, all Ionna stations have CCS and NACS connectors, as well as credit card readers, catering to most of the EVs on the road in the United States today. (Sorry, owners of older Nissan Leafs.)

Phil Retsch, Ionna’s Chief Engineer of Charging Technology, said that the up-and-coming charging operator has tested over 60 different vehicle platforms to ensure that new EVs work seamlessly with its chargers, even before customer cars are shipped from the factory.

“Customers don’t have to leave the automakers’ ecosystem to enjoy our network, said Retsch. “Plus, we offer what we feel is a pretty robust credit card journey and Plug & Charge, and we already have a large number of automakers integrated.” Currently, BMW, General Motors, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz drivers can use Plug & Charge at Ionity stations, with Rivian adding the functionality soon.

“If there is a time when demand for a smartphone app moves to the top of our roadmap, then, absolutely, we are going to work on that,” he said. 

One big name is missing from the list of EVs that are compatible with Plug & Charge: Tesla. In fairness, Tesla drivers don’t really need to use anything other than their own Supercharger network, seeing how ubiquitous it is, but it’s nice to have the flexibility to use other DC fast chargers without having to mess around with credit cards.

As with everything else, it comes down to what Ionna’s customers want. “In general, we listen to the market,” said Phil Retsch. “If it is the right decision for us to engage with [Tesla] and see how we can bring their vehicles into our ecosystem, then why not? As soon as we have something to talk about, we will share that. But it’s of interest to drivers, so it makes it interesting for us to explore that potential.”

Ionna is still quite small, at least compared to its big-brand competitors. With just 60 stations scattered across the country, it’s not a big player in the industry yet. But it’s rapidly growing, and it’s growing healthy. Its so-called Rechargeries have canopies covering the charger and amenities like bathrooms and places to buy snacks. What’s more, all of the sites have dual-cord 400-kilowatt dispensers.

With backing from several automakers, Ionna is planning on blanketing the United States and Canada with 30,000 DC fast chargers by 2030.