This CEO wants to challenge Tesla's charging dominance. He's teaching dealerships how to make the EV pitch.
Ionna, an electric-vehicle charging company, plans to teach dealership employees how to discuss charging with prospective EV buyers. The effort aims to address a knowledge gap at the point of sale.
The training is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027 in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Dallas, San Francisco, San Jose and Raleigh. Participating dealerships will sell vehicles from Ionna investors, including Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis.
Ionna CEO Cutler said carmakers have advanced vehicle range, performance and charging speed, but dependable public charging remains a hurdle, especially in cities and on highways. Helping buyers understand charging could support broader EV adoption.
Ionna pairs some chargers with amenities such as bathrooms, lounges and convenience stores. JD Power rated its network the country’s top fast-charging provider in its 2026 test. The company’s next steps include expanding its locations and launching the dealer program.
Key points
- Ionna’s dealer training program is scheduled to begin in early 2027 across seven cities.
- The company’s US network grew to 191 active stations by early October.
- Ionna is adding amenities at some sites as it competes with Tesla.