Mid-Atlantic convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. and IONNA, an electric-vehicle (EV) charging network founded by eight top automakers, have formed a strategic partnership, taking what they call an ‘all walk, less talk’ approach to EV charging. IONNA will be opening EV Rechargeries at three Sheetz c-stores in late December, in Springfield and Willoughby, Ohio, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and committing to opening 50 Rechargeries by the end of 2026.
Along with co-locating the EV charging facilities, the partnership will also include incentives and loyalty programs for IONNA and Sheetz patrons rolling out in 2025.
The Rechargeries will include multiple high-power charging bays, covered by signature red canopies for weather protection. Rechargery users will have full access to Sheetz amenities including restrooms, convenience store, food and beverage, Wi-Fi and more.
“Our mission at Sheetz is to put the Sheetz as we know it today out of business,” said Trevor Walter, executive vice president of petroleum supply management at Sheetz. “We do this through constantly evolving our business and introducing forward-thinking solutions. As the electric-vehicle market expands, enhancing our charging infrastructure exemplifies this commitment. Our collaboration with IONNA has rapidly enabled us to bring more advanced charging options to our customers, demonstrating the power of innovation in delivering seamless, future-focused services.”
Durham, North Carolina-based IONNA is a joint venture founded by eight of the world’s biggest automakers—BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota. Its mission is to develop and deploy a nationwide network of charging stations providing retail integration, amenities and customer service and enabling urban and long-distance EV mobility for all with more than 30,000 charging points by 2030.
“At IONNA, every decision is made with the driver’s experience in mind. That level of customer centricity is built into the DNA of our business and it’s a quality we recognize in Sheetz, making them the right choice for our first partner,” said Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA.
Sheetz is No. 13 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz operates more than 750 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.