IONITY rewards users who end the charging session at 80 percent

IONITY, one of Europe’s most popular ultra-fast charging networks, has launched a new initiative to encourage more efficient charging habits and improve the availability of its charging points during periods of highest demand. It is called the Fast Lane Reward, a reward that offers a 5 kWh credit to those who end their charging session when the battery reaches 80 percent.

This measure applies to sessions started between 9:00 and 17:00 at IONITY stations across Europe. The promotion comes just before the summer holiday travel peak, a time when other operators are also launching special campaigns to make electric vehicle journeys easier.

IONITY explains, and not without reason, that charging to 80 percent is enough for most daily or even long journeys. Beyond that level, charging speed drops considerably, so reaching one hundred percent can take almost as long as charging from 10 to 80 percent. Unplugging earlier frees the charger sooner, reduces waiting times at busy stations and also contributes to a longer battery life.

The truth is that this is something any reasonably experienced electric vehicle driver should always do. There is no sense in charging up to one hundred percent, unless there is no other intermediate charging point before the destination and fully charging the battery is the only option. Otherwise, a later stop to charge that extra twenty percent, or even a bit more, will allow the journey to be completed in less time.

How does the reward work?

Users will receive a notification in the IONITY app when the battery reaches 80 percent, informing them of this promotion. If they unplug the vehicle before it reaches 85 percent, they will automatically receive a 5 kWh credit. This balance appears in the “Credits and Rewards” section of the mobile app and will be automatically deducted in the next charging session.

In addition to the Fast Lane Reward, IONITY offers the same 5 kWh credit to those who charge during off-peak hours, between 22:00 and 6:00, regardless of battery level. Both bonuses require a minimum of 40 kWh per session.

With these measures, the company seeks to distribute demand better throughout the day and avoid congestion at the busiest stations. For now, no specific end date has been set for the promotion and, it seems, IONITY plans to keep introducing new incentives beyond the summer to continually improve the user experience.

“During the summer travel season, we want to offer our customers the best possible experience. With the right incentives, we aim to encourage more efficient charging behaviour that saves time, improves charger availability and makes journeys more relaxed for everyone.”