Rivian Taps Into IONNA Network, Rolls Out Smart Charging This Summer

At Tech Brew’s Power Shift event in NYC, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid shared two big updates that aim to make EV ownership even smoother for Rivian drivers: deeper integration with the IONNA charging network and the launch of a smart home charging program later this summer.

Let’s start with IONNA. While it was initially reported that Rivian would be joining the IONNA consortium—made up of BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota—IONNA has since clarified that Rivian is not part of the group building out the network.

However, Rivian drivers will still benefit from the expanding IONNA infrastructure. Expect to see IONNA stations show up directly in Rivian’s in-vehicle navigation and mobile app, complete with plug-and-charge support and real-time charger data, just like what Rivian has already rolled out for the Tesla Supercharger network. The goal remains the same: a seamless charging experience that “just works,” without extra steps.

Wassym emphasized that Rivian continues to support an open ecosystem. “We want to provide choice and options for our customers,” he said.

But while public charging gets the headlines, most EV charging happens at home, according to Rivian’s fleet data. And Wassym says nearly three-quarters of those home sessions aren’t happening at optimal times. That’s where Rivian’s second announcement comes in.

Starting this summer, Rivian will roll out a smart charging program, developed with help from WeaveGrid. It’ll automatically detect your local utility, pick the best rates, and schedule charging to happen when energy is cheapest and cleanest. Simulations suggest this could save Rivian owners 30% on home charging and cut home charging emissions by 28%.

The idea is simple: just one step to configure it in the app, and the rest happens behind the scenes, no extra effort from the driver. The app syncs with Rivian’s vehicle software to handle scheduling based on grid demand and pricing.

Source: Tech Brew