Ford Integrates Plug Charge with IONNA Network Across North America

Ford is enhancing the electric vehicle ownership experience by expanding its Plug & Charge functionality to the nationwide IONNA charging network, a rollout scheduled to commence in November 2025. This integration enables Ford EV owners to automatically initiate charging sessions and process payments simply by connecting their vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for separate mobile applications or physical payment methods at IONNA stations. This strategic move aims to reduce charging friction, a widely recognized impediment to broader electric vehicle adoption amid recent industry sales slowdowns.

The IONNA network itself is a significant collaborative venture, backed by eight major global automakers, including BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis, and Toyota. The joint venture maintains an ambitious deployment target of over 30,000 charging bays by the close of the decade. As of late 2025, the network reports that at least 1,110 fast chargers are either operational or currently under construction across its service areas.

This latest integration builds upon Ford’s existing BlueOval Charge Network, which already aggregates access to 21 distinct charging providers, including the Tesla Supercharger network, which Ford drivers began utilizing in 2024. Concurrently, Ford is deploying Plug & Charge across its proprietary 'Ford Charge' network, situated at over 330 Ford dealerships throughout the United States and Canada. Launched in August 2025, the Ford Charge network currently hosts more than 1,200 fast chargers accessible to compatible electric vehicles.

Ford is targeting the completion of Plug & Charge integration across all its dealership locations by the start of 2026, standardizing automated access at service centers. Data collected between March 1, 2025, and October 31, 2025, across Electrify America and compatible Tesla Supercharger locations, indicated a Plug & Charge success rate exceeding 99% for DC fast charging activation. Ford CEO Jim Farley has emphasized that such infrastructural advancements are crucial for elevating the overall electric vehicle experience in 2025.

Despite these technological strides, challenges persist within the wider charging ecosystem, including reported issues with charger availability in less populated areas. Furthermore, some consumers express a preference for established network subscription plans that may offer more favorable charging rates over the standard pay-per-use model associated with initial Plug & Charge activation. The industry continues to focus on ultra-fast charging capabilities, with many hubs targeting 350 kW speeds to achieve charging times as low as 20 minutes for an 80 percent charge, a necessity as an estimated 85 million EVs are projected to be on the road by the end of 2025.