Tesla owners can now plug in and charge at Ionna with Autocharge through the Presto app. Here's how to set it up, which Teslas work, pricing and the security trade-off vs Plug & Charge.
Photo: IONNA
Tesla owners can now plug in at an Ionna fast charger and walk away, just like at a Supercharger. After a one-time setup in the third-party Presto Charging app, Autocharge starts the session as soon as the cable is connected. You don't need to tap the app, use a card or scan a QR code.
The feature was shown off this week in interviews with Ionna CEO Seth Cutler and Presto CEO Ashwin Dias, and EVChargingStations.com explained how it works on November 14. It matters because Ionna now runs more 400-kW chargers than any other network in the U.S., and Tesla drivers make up roughly half of all EV owners here. Below is how to set it up, which Teslas work, what it costs and what you give up compared with true Plug & Charge.
Setup takes one normal charging session. After that, the app stays in your pocket.
Every Ionna site has both NACS (Tesla-style) and CCS cables, so most Teslas built in recent years can plug straight in without an adapter.
Not every Tesla qualifies. According to EVChargingStations.com, cars built before 2022 may not be compatible with Autocharge. The VIN check in the Presto app makes the final call. Neither company has published a full list of eligible models and years.
There's a separate, more basic hurdle for the oldest cars. Ionna's own FAQ says Teslas built before 2021 "may require an upgrade to be able to charge" at its stations at all. That refers to the hardware some older Teslas need to talk to non-Tesla DC fast chargers. If your car can't use third-party fast chargers today, Autocharge won't change that.
Your first Autocharge session is promised to be free. After that, pricing is said to be about the same as paying Ionna directly with a credit card. Presto earns a small cut based on the energy delivered, rather than a big markup.
Ionna's website says drivers will "never see pricing above $0.39 / kWh plus tax," and some locations charge less during off-peak hours. That compares well with the market. DCFC Tracker data cited by EVChargingStations.com puts the average price at 400+ kW chargers at $0.47 per kWh, versus $0.56 for DC fast chargers overall.
Autocharge and Plug & Charge feel the same from the driver's seat, but they work very differently.
EVChargingStations.com called the MAC-address method "not as advanced or secure" as Plug & Charge, "but it's good enough." In theory, someone could copy your car's ID. In practice, the damage is about $20 to $30 of charging billed to the wrong account. Presto monitors sessions, and if the same ID shows up at two locations, the session should be flagged and sorted out quickly.
Before you rely on it
Keep a payment card or the Presto app handy for your first few Autocharge sessions in case one doesn't start. Check your Presto statement now and then for charges you don't recognize. If you sell your Tesla, remove it from your Presto account, or the next owner's sessions could be billed to you.
Ionna Rechargeries still don't appear in the Tesla app or the car's built-in navigation and trip planner. That's why the workaround runs through Presto: until Tesla integrates Ionna into its own systems, a Tesla can't start or pay for an Ionna session on its own.
EVChargingStations.com calls showing up in Tesla's navigation Ionna's "next important step." For now, use the Presto app or another third-party map to find Rechargeries, and plan your route around them yourself. Ionna doesn't run its own app. It relies on about 19 partner apps, including Presto, ChargePoint and several automaker apps.
Ionna is backed by eight automakers: BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota. Its fast growth is the reason this matters to Tesla owners. On September 30, Ionna said it had more than 180 live sites, more than double its count at the start of 2026, and it ranked first in J.D. Power's 2026 public charging satisfaction study.
Its lead keeps growing. DCFC Tracker data as of November 6 shows Ionna with 218 sites and 1,788 stalls capable of 400 kW or more, well ahead of Walmart and Mercedes-Benz. Tesla is fourth, helped by its new 500-kW V4 Superchargers.
| Rank | Network | 400+ kW sites | 400+ kW stalls | Stalls per site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ionna | 218 | 1,788 | 8.2 |
| 2 | Walmart | 135 | 1,130 | 8.4 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz | 92 | 872 | 9.5 |
| 4 | Tesla | 62 | 736 | 11.9 |
| 5 | BP Pulse | 39 | 546 | 14.0 |
| 6 | Applegreen Electric | 43 | 192 | 4.5 |
| 7 | Francis Energy | 47 | 190 | 4.0 |
Source: DCFC Tracker via EVChargingStations.com, data as of November 6, 2026. U.S. total: 757 sites and 6,095 stalls at 400+ kW.
Superchargers are still the easiest option for most Tesla drivers, since they're built into the car's navigation and billing. But Ionna gives Tesla owners another large network of fast, well-reviewed stations, often at gas stations and convenience stores like Casey's, Circle K, Sheetz and Wawa. Autocharge takes away the biggest hassle of using it.
It helps most where Superchargers are busy or far apart. Keep expectations realistic: a Tesla's charging speed is set by the car, not the charger's 400-kW rating, and Ionna dispensers can split up to 400 kW between two cars. Ionna says a typical 20% to 80% charge takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
The bottom line: If your Tesla is a 2022 or newer model, download Presto, scan your VIN and do one manual session at an Ionna Rechargery. After that, you can plug in and walk away. Your first Autocharge session is promised free, and prices should match what you'd pay by card, capped at $0.39 per kWh plus tax. Just don't expect to find Ionna in your Tesla's navigation yet.
Related: EVgo opens Tesla Superchargers in Chicago · Walmart's charging network hits 100 stores · How much does it cost to charge an EV?
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