#41: NEVI program suspended; IONNA steps up

IONNA exits beta with ambitious national rollout plans, Trump halts NEVI program implementation, and new Transportation Secretary signals major policy shifts

Author

Steve Taylor
February 15, 2025

Together with

The 3 big stories:

  • IONNA announces plans to deploy 1,000 charging bays in 2025.

  • Trump Administration orders immediate halt to $5B NEVI program implementation.

  • People in Power - A dive into Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and House Energy Chairman Brett Guthrie's influence on EV policy.

Plus, featured jobs and news.

Enjoy,

–Steve

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

IONNA, the joint venture between BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, has announced its transition from public beta to full-scale national deployment.

The company has secured contracts for over 100 sites nationwide, with new locations opening in Houston, Texas and Abilene, Kansas. 

Six additional sites, including one in Willcox, Arizona, are currently under construction.

The announcement follows extensive testing in late 2024, where the network processed more than 4,400 charging sessions across 80 different vehicle models. 

IONNA plans to deploy over 1,000 charging bays throughout 2025.

Starting Q1 2025, IONNA will integrate Amazon's "Just Walk Out" technology at its Garner, NC location, enabling 24/7 automated retail services for drivers during charging sessions.

Steve's Take

The scale of IONNA’s planned deployment—1,000 bays in 2025 alone—is critically important as EV infrastructure development increasingly depends on private sector investment.  

The company's integration of automated retail through its Amazon partnership points to a reimagining of what drivers can expect during their charging sessions. 

The concept of “Americana” seems foundational to the brand, and I imagine they intend for that to come through in the customer experience at their locations. 

The addition of AI-driven features like smart reservations and routing optimization suggests charging networks are evolving into comprehensive mobility service platforms.

IONNA has the substantial financial backing of eight automakers. This partnership was always earmarked to play a significant role in US EV infrastructure, but given the current state of federal investment, the industry could benefit even more from a steadying force like IONNA. 

–Steve

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Power and Policy

The Federal Highway Administration, in line with directives from the Trump Administration, has ordered states to halt spending on the $5B NEVI program.

The agency notified state transportation directors that it's rescinding 2023 program guidance and suspending approval of state implementation plans for fiscal years 2022-2025. New draft guidance is expected this spring, followed by a public comment period.

States can receive reimbursements for existing financial commitments to prevent disruption of current projects. 

However, no new spending can be initiated until states submit and receive approval for revised plans under the forthcoming guidance.

Currently, 56 NEVI-funded charging stations are operational nationwide. 

Prior to this directive, the Biden Administration had indicated hundreds more stations were in various stages of development.

The uncertainty has already prompted six states—Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, Rhode Island, Ohio, and Nebraska—to pause their NEVI programs, while others await further clarification.

Rob's Take

This FHWA directive represents exactly what we anticipated in our last issue—a concerted effort to dismantle federal EV charging programs. 

This move comes just as federal courts pushed back on earlier attempts to freeze funding, suggesting the administration is pivoting to alternative strategies to achieve similar goals. The focus on administrative process rather than direct fund withdrawal may prove harder to challenge legally.

What's most concerning for the industry is the compounding uncertainty. States that were already hesitant to move forward after January's executive orders now face additional procedural hurdles. This could create a chilling effect even in states that weren't initially planning to pause their programs.

This situation reinforces what we've been emphasizing: the importance of developing funding strategies independent of federal support. The private sector investments and state-level initiatives we've seen emerge over the past year have become even more crucial now. 

Companies that have already diversified their funding sources will be better positioned to weather this period of federal uncertainty.

The key now will be watching how states respond. While some have already paused their programs, others may choose to continue with existing plans using state funds or private partnerships.

–Rob 

People and Positions

Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy

Newly confirmed as the 20th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Duffy brings a background spanning law, politics, and media (including a stint on reality TV):

In his first act as Secretary, Duffy signed a memorandum to begin resetting CAFE standards, signaling the administration's intent to roll back EV mandates and fuel economy requirements.

Regarding the recent suspension of the NEVI program, he said, “The question would become, does the Congress need to invest in an infrastructure for one set of vehicles and maybe not another set of vehicles.”

Rob's Take

Duffy's immediate move to tackle CAFE standards and his vocal skepticism of EV mandates should come as no surprise, given the positions of the Administration. 

His background shows limited direct experience with EV infrastructure or clean transportation initiatives. His early actions suggest that he will not be particularly friendly to either. 

His focus on reducing vehicle costs through regulatory rollbacks, while potentially beneficial for traditional auto sales, will contribute to headwinds for EV adoption and, by extension, charging infrastructure expansion.

–Rob 

Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: Brett Guthrie (R-KY)

Rep. Brett Guthrie brings significant experience to his new role as chair:

  • A decade of service on the Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Former chair of the Health Subcommittee

  • Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

  • Previously worked in his family's automotive supply business, Trace Die Cast

Guthrie has consistently advocated for an "all-of-the-above" energy approach while opposing Biden-era EV mandates. 

His district includes the $5.8B Ford-SK battery manufacturing plant, giving him direct exposure to major EV infrastructure investments. This also informs his desire for a "scalpel rather than sledgehammer" approach to IRA modifications, in which promised funds could be protected. 

Key policy positions:

Rob's Take

Guthrie's leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee continues the shift in federal EV policy direction. He will surely continue to support the rolling back of IRA initiatives related to EVs and EV infrastructure—so long as they don’t threaten the $5.8B Ford battery plant investment in his state of Kentucky. 

His family’s auto supply business, Trace Die Cast, produces parts for EVs, as well as ICE and hybrid vehicles. Although Guthrie may not be opposed to EVs, I anticipate that he will follow suit with the Trump Administration in pushing for a more market-driven approach. 

–Rob 

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⚡️Steve and Rob

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