Plano-based Toyota Motor North America announced that it has joined seven other automakers as an investor in IONNA to support the buildout of its high-powered charging network for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across North America.
IONNA is a joint venture founded by eight of the world’s largest automakers, including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and now Toyota as well.
“We’re excited to announce our support of IONNA to deploy DC fast chargers throughout the U.S. and Canada,” Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, said in a statement. “We believe this will not only promote the adoption of BEVs and increase customer confidence in the technology, but it will provide our Toyota and Lexus customers with access to IONNA’s rapidly growing charging network in North America.”
The move will give Toyota and Lexus customers access to the public network of DC fast chargers IONNA will begin deploying later this year, the company said. IONNA plans to install “at least 30,000” charging ports in North America by 2030. The stations will include both NACS and CCS connectors to support all BEV vehicles.
According to Toyota, IONNA’s focus on the holistic customer experience aligns closely with Toyota to ensure that charging stations provide visitors with amenities and convenience in addition to vehicle charging.
IONNA aims to bring its first batch of DC fast-charging stations online this year and will continue the buildout of additional stations throughout the decade.
IONNA CEO Seth Cutler said in a statement that Toyota’s “vision for the future of electric mobility in North America aligns perfectly with our mission to push the boundaries for the highest standards of quality, reliability, and customer experience. This partnership marks another significant achievement of many to come in our joint journey to transform EV charging and spearhead the adoption of sustainable transportation in North America.”
Toyota and Lexus aim to offer 30 BEV models by 2030
Toyota Motor North America said that supporting IONNA is an important step for the company, as the planned nationwide network is highlighted by a partnership and collaboration effort among now eight OEMs to invest in the buildout of public charging.
In addition to its long focus on hybrid electric vehicles, Toyota offers two mass-market BEVs in the U.S. and Canada—the Toyota bZ4X and the Lexus RZ. It recently announced plans for two all-new three-row BEV SUVs that will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana.
By 2030, Toyota said it will seek to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually.
Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America, including more than 49,000 in the U.S.
The company said that over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 47 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
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