Significant step forward for Ionna or just more treading water? Share your thoughts on the network's latest news below. Press release here: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ionna-selects-durham-north-carolina-as-headquarters-and-announces-new-executive-leadership-team-302168896.html
Thanks, Steve! I actually think IONNA might be one of the last automaker-funded CPOs. Moving forward, I expect some partnerships, but mostly around integration with car systems. From what I can see, the automakers and the government actually share a goal, which is to set the basic groundwork for public charging and then hand it over to the private sector after they've proven sustainable demand for these services. The only automaker who has shown a real interest in being a CPO themselves is Tesla. Everyone else seems to just want to provide enough support to make sure they can sell their EVs.
That makes sense, Eric, given they can't really monetize EV charging (outside the pennies of reselling electricity) without spinning up an entirely new business model. At dealerships there's some incentive with the service and sales aspect, but we know the limitations of those spots as a travel charging stop. After the layoffs, it could be argued that even Tesla doesn't much want to be a CPO. That's another where the network was required to prove their cars can replace ICE, rather than a money spinner in its own right.
Nothing much beyond the early installations and Florida/Georgia as a starting point. Walmart has a major remodeling program underway for 650 stores, 150 of which are slated to get fast charging in the near-term.
Thx Steve. I would not of know w/o your timely report, which is appreciated. Big news for the NC area yet again. We seem to be on a winning streak as of late. Mostly in the Raleigh Durham area, but the state as a whole is getting a vibriant vibe. This will only add to it and also great to see the IONNA team forming to start the work of their charter. Gonna be great to see what the team can do.
Another one to add to your plethora of reports, Walter. Hopefully they roll out the red carpet when you visit... or just give you a hot desk in IONNA HQ to report from!
Thanks for the update Steve. Columbus Ohio has a company called star charge that is one of Kyle Connor’s channel sponsors. I haven’t seen any of their units around town yet but I am glad to see all the action in North Carolina . Kyle might have to move back to Nc so he can be near the charging hubs. But I know he likes being closer to California to drive there for car testing.
Thanks, Mark. Ohio is all set to take the lead again on NEVI installations and Lincoln Electric just hosted the latest CHARIN Testival event. Lots of EV action in your region, even as the Southeast starts to take the headlines.
It would be pretty awesome if Ionna would use Alpitronic and/or Kempower. A big network based on those chargers would be very attractive to use. Having your HQ near your vendors would be very advantageous. Being able to physically go to your vendors has advantages whether it be to rattle cages if orders are late or more positively to collaborate in real time.
While I’m disappointed that IONNA did not get any stations installed for the 2024 summer travel season there’s less of a sense of urgency now than in 2023. Since Tesla opened their network to Ford and Rivian, we’re already seeing those cars & trucks divert to Superchargers which relieves pressure on the public networks. IONNA can take advantage of the breathing room and continue to organize themselves ahead of their groundbreaking.
Agreed. With a few notable exceptions, most locations across the country should now have an alternative for Ford, Rivian, and perhaps even GM EV model owners in time for summer travel. Combined with the additions of PFJ across the country and a bunch of regional providers, plus EA upgrades, I'm hopeful we have enough improvements compared to 2023 to handle this year's travel. IONNA will be fascinating to watch grow. They presumably have their pick of hardware, connector type/ratio, stall count, and a vast network of connections to leverage for property partners. Other than the rampant competition for prime locations, it's almost carte blanche to build the continental charging network they think it needs. Let's hope they're up to the challenge.
Is there any indication on what their business model will be? Will they be like EA and just throw hardware into retail parking lots or will they partner with a travel center network to install chargers? Or will it be something like Gridserve UK with bespoke stations?
Not really, only generic "customer-focused" stuff and a mention of "retail offerings, food, restrooms, and covered charging." Latter is nice but none of the details so far move beyond what any challenger network is saying publicly.
Informative episode, Steve. I would have thought we’d see more progress by this point. Despite Tesla’s dramas, I don’t see them relinquishing their market share with even CCS vehicles.
Thanks! I suppose there's a lot to co-ordinate when there are seven different entities setting up a single organization. Hopefully they've been using the quiet period to leverage the vast connections they must have across the various players and set up partnerships with site hosts that will deliver a quicker buildout.
Hearing that the first site will begin construction in August, estimated completion in October. Seems like they're moving quickly now that the admin side is in place.
More charging stations are always welcome, but I'm confused as to why GM and MB are "in" on IONNA because they're in the midst of building their own networks. I don't know where Tesla stands on continuing to build out their network, nor where GM et al stand on using the J3400 standard. So, there seems to be a flurry of activity with IONNA, Ultium/MB network, and J3400 adoption with a concomitant amount of money being spent. I hope we see good results from the $$ being spent.
Right, it all seems to be about hedging bets at the moment. Don't miss the NACS/J3400 boat but also keep options open away from Superchargers. Keep close to a potentially large new network to split costs with competitors but forge your own exclusive partnerships at the same time. All while federal and state infrastructure dollars flow around to catalyze and confuse in equal measure. Love it or loathe it, one can't ignore the DCFC space!
The invested car companies likely won’t look too far from home (dealerships) for deployments such as this, and to date they haven’t been very friendly in offering “on the property” chargers to the public. We can only hope that this colab helps to push that along. I have seen a couple of Ford dealers near me which have installed a couple or more DC chargers, and include L2 stalls as well, although they’re not online yet. So from this you can see that the dealer sees ways to get people in their neighborhood to switch to get interested in, and possibly switch to, EVs. We need ways for apartment dwellers to charge EVs near where they live, so perhaps this organization could create charging kits for L2 installs at apartment buildings or on nearby streets and shopping centers.
I can't see IONNA deploying much, if anything, at dealerships. Per GM's example, I think those are totally separate programs from any strategic public charging partnerships... no consistency across dealer hardware or installs, but laser-focused with Delta 350s for most of the EVgo/GM Energy sites. L2 is an interesting piece that most fast charging networks seem to want no part of. ChargePoint the obvious exception because of their business model. Possibly Flo as well, although they're not widespread yet. Although I'd like to see them help out on that side, I think we'll see more meaningful energy from dedicated L2 solutions providers.
It will be interesting to see how they approach pricing and what kind of amenities we get for the price of entry. At the moment, the highest prices of any network are at the Pilot-Flying J sites, so clearly GM hasn't been able to sway the conversation there yet. Discounts are supposed to be in the works, though, so the collective aspect of that partnership could work to bring down prices. All a bit Wild West until the dust settles, which I expect will be several years away.
Significant step forward for Ionna or just more treading water? Share your thoughts on the network's latest news below.
Press release here: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ionna-selects-durham-north-carolina-as-headquarters-and-announces-new-executive-leadership-team-302168896.html
Thanks, Steve! I actually think IONNA might be one of the last automaker-funded CPOs. Moving forward, I expect some partnerships, but mostly around integration with car systems. From what I can see, the automakers and the government actually share a goal, which is to set the basic groundwork for public charging and then hand it over to the private sector after they've proven sustainable demand for these services. The only automaker who has shown a real interest in being a CPO themselves is Tesla. Everyone else seems to just want to provide enough support to make sure they can sell their EVs.
That makes sense, Eric, given they can't really monetize EV charging (outside the pennies of reselling electricity) without spinning up an entirely new business model. At dealerships there's some incentive with the service and sales aspect, but we know the limitations of those spots as a travel charging stop. After the layoffs, it could be argued that even Tesla doesn't much want to be a CPO. That's another where the network was required to prove their cars can replace ICE, rather than a money spinner in its own right.
Do you any news about Walmart charging network
Nothing much beyond the early installations and Florida/Georgia as a starting point. Walmart has a major remodeling program underway for 650 stores, 150 of which are slated to get fast charging in the near-term.
This is wonderful news. Large permanent investment in EV's!
Bring it on!
Thx Steve. I would not of know w/o your timely report, which is appreciated. Big news for the NC area yet again. We seem to be on a winning streak as of late. Mostly in the Raleigh Durham area, but the state as a whole is getting a vibriant vibe. This will only add to it and also great to see the IONNA team forming to start the work of their charter. Gonna be great to see what the team can do.
Another one to add to your plethora of reports, Walter. Hopefully they roll out the red carpet when you visit... or just give you a hot desk in IONNA HQ to report from!
Thanks for the update Steve. Columbus Ohio has a company called star charge that is one of Kyle Connor’s channel sponsors. I haven’t seen any of their units around town yet but I am glad to see all the action in North Carolina . Kyle might have to move back to Nc so he can be near the charging hubs. But I know he likes being closer to California to drive there for car testing.
Thanks, Mark. Ohio is all set to take the lead again on NEVI installations and Lincoln Electric just hosted the latest CHARIN Testival event. Lots of EV action in your region, even as the Southeast starts to take the headlines.
It would be pretty awesome if Ionna would use Alpitronic and/or Kempower. A big network based on those chargers would be very attractive to use.
Having your HQ near your vendors would be very advantageous. Being able to physically go to your vendors has advantages whether it be to rattle cages if orders are late or more positively to collaborate in real time.
Right, there's a lot to be said for being in the same room as your suppliers, whatever the tone of the conversation.
While I’m disappointed that IONNA did not get any stations installed for the 2024 summer travel season there’s less of a sense of urgency now than in 2023. Since Tesla opened their network to Ford and Rivian, we’re already seeing those cars & trucks divert to Superchargers which relieves pressure on the public networks. IONNA can take advantage of the breathing room and continue to organize themselves ahead of their groundbreaking.
Agreed. With a few notable exceptions, most locations across the country should now have an alternative for Ford, Rivian, and perhaps even GM EV model owners in time for summer travel. Combined with the additions of PFJ across the country and a bunch of regional providers, plus EA upgrades, I'm hopeful we have enough improvements compared to 2023 to handle this year's travel.
IONNA will be fascinating to watch grow. They presumably have their pick of hardware, connector type/ratio, stall count, and a vast network of connections to leverage for property partners. Other than the rampant competition for prime locations, it's almost carte blanche to build the continental charging network they think it needs. Let's hope they're up to the challenge.
Is there any indication on what their business model will be? Will they be like EA and just throw hardware into retail parking lots or will they partner with a travel center network to install chargers? Or will it be something like Gridserve UK with bespoke stations?
Not really, only generic "customer-focused" stuff and a mention of "retail offerings, food, restrooms, and covered charging." Latter is nice but none of the details so far move beyond what any challenger network is saying publicly.
Informative episode, Steve. I would have thought we’d see more progress by this point. Despite Tesla’s dramas, I don’t see them relinquishing their market share with even CCS vehicles.
Thanks! I suppose there's a lot to co-ordinate when there are seven different entities setting up a single organization. Hopefully they've been using the quiet period to leverage the vast connections they must have across the various players and set up partnerships with site hosts that will deliver a quicker buildout.
C'mon, IONNA: put pedal to the metal and start installing network sites! We're waiting! Desperately!
Hearing that the first site will begin construction in August, estimated completion in October. Seems like they're moving quickly now that the admin side is in place.
The search party is back yay I wondered what happened to Ionna
Wee bit too stealthy for their own good. Can't hide now though... we know where they live!
Been looking in the daylight with a flashlight, there are those sneaky snakes
More charging stations are always welcome, but I'm confused as to why GM and MB are "in" on IONNA because they're in the midst of building their own networks. I don't know where Tesla stands on continuing to build out their network, nor where GM et al stand on using the J3400 standard. So, there seems to be a flurry of activity with IONNA, Ultium/MB network, and J3400 adoption with a concomitant amount of money being spent. I hope we see good results from the $$ being spent.
Right, it all seems to be about hedging bets at the moment. Don't miss the NACS/J3400 boat but also keep options open away from Superchargers. Keep close to a potentially large new network to split costs with competitors but forge your own exclusive partnerships at the same time. All while federal and state infrastructure dollars flow around to catalyze and confuse in equal measure. Love it or loathe it, one can't ignore the DCFC space!
The invested car companies likely won’t look too far from home (dealerships) for deployments such as this, and to date they haven’t been very friendly in offering “on the property” chargers to the public. We can only hope that this colab helps to push that along. I have seen a couple of Ford dealers near me which have installed a couple or more DC chargers, and include L2 stalls as well, although they’re not online yet. So from this you can see that the dealer sees ways to get people in their neighborhood to switch to get interested in, and possibly switch to, EVs. We need ways for apartment dwellers to charge EVs near where they live, so perhaps this organization could create charging kits for L2 installs at apartment buildings or on nearby streets and shopping centers.
I can't see IONNA deploying much, if anything, at dealerships. Per GM's example, I think those are totally separate programs from any strategic public charging partnerships... no consistency across dealer hardware or installs, but laser-focused with Delta 350s for most of the EVgo/GM Energy sites.
L2 is an interesting piece that most fast charging networks seem to want no part of. ChargePoint the obvious exception because of their business model. Possibly Flo as well, although they're not widespread yet. Although I'd like to see them help out on that side, I think we'll see more meaningful energy from dedicated L2 solutions providers.
We’ll take any charger network, more the better. Circle K, flying J, all the big truck stops should be looking at what Circle K in Norway has done.
True, choice and competition can only benefit the consumer. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Not a fan of a collective making a charging service. They will set the prices too high.
It will be interesting to see how they approach pricing and what kind of amenities we get for the price of entry. At the moment, the highest prices of any network are at the Pilot-Flying J sites, so clearly GM hasn't been able to sway the conversation there yet. Discounts are supposed to be in the works, though, so the collective aspect of that partnership could work to bring down prices. All a bit Wild West until the dust settles, which I expect will be several years away.