Ionna, the charging network backed by eight major automakers, took the top spot in the 2026 JD Power U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study for DC fast-charging networks, earning the highest result of 807 points out of 1,000 in its debut year on the chart. The result ends a five-year run at the top for a rival and coincides with a surge in the network’s physical footprint across the country.
Tesla displaced after five consecutive years at the top
The three DC fast-charging networks to rank highest were all OEM-backed and award-eligible for the first time: Ionna took first place, followed by the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in second place and the Rivian Adventure Network in third. Tesla Supercharger, which had held the top position for five consecutive years, was displaced by all three and fell to fourth place.
Ionna led all networks with a score of 807, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network at 797 and the Rivian Adventure Network at 755.
All three new OEM-backed DC fast-charging networks performed well in the survey, with customers praising ease of charging, charging speed, and charger availability.
The 2026 report is based on data from 6,594 owners of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, collected between January and June 2026, in partnership with PlugShare.
Reliability hits a study-era record
DC fast charging satisfaction rose 12 points to 666 on a 1,000-point scale, with gains across all 10 index factors. The public charging non-charge visit rate fell to 12%, down from 14% a year ago and the lowest level ever recorded in the study. In plain terms, only about one in eight charging attempts ended without a successful session, the best result since JD Power began tracking the metric.
The biggest improvements were in charger availability (+27 points), location safety (+18), and cost of charging (+18).
In contrast, satisfaction with public Level 2 chargers declined 12 points to 595, with ease of payment and ease of charging among the biggest pain points.
JD Power found that satisfaction is highest for DC fast chargers located at hotels (692), gas stations/convenience stores (689), and restaurants (688), while chargers located at dealerships (570) and stand-alone parking lots/garages (606) are among the least satisfying experiences for owners.
Ionna passes 1,500 stalls as it accelerates buildout
According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, as of September 12, 2026, Ionna operates 1,526 stalls at 178 locations in the United States.
The company crossed 1,000 stalls in late March 2026, meaning it added 500 stalls, a 50% expansion, in less than six months.
Ionna was founded by eight carmakers, BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, which are investing substantial funds in the company to install 30,000 DC fast-charging stalls by 2030. The gap between that target and today’s count is wide, but the pace of deployment has picked up considerably.
For consumers already managing high vehicle purchase costs despite aggressive EV rebates this September, a more reliable and higher-quality public charging network matters directly to the ownership calculation.
What the rankings mean for the market
The results help explain why Ionna, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian are investing heavily in site design and amenities: drivers do not just want a powerful charger that works, they want a location that feels safe and offers a comfortable place to spend 20 to 30 minutes.
The primary question for Ionna now is how to maintain or improve its satisfaction score while simultaneously scaling the network toward its planned 30,000-stall target by 2030. With used EV ownership at record levels in the US, the pressure to deliver a dependable fast-charging experience reaches well beyond new-car buyers.
The improving public charging experience is being fueled by gains in DC fast charging, where satisfaction has increased across all 10 index factors year over year, though the buildout challenge remains enormous.
