Automaker-Backed EV Charger Venture Buys San Jose Car Lot for $2.45M

IONNA plans to transform the West San Carlos Street property into a high-speed charging hub with retail and amenities.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, colorful image with sweeping, blurred lines representing the motion of an electric vehicle, conveying a sense of speed and modern technology.IONNA's planned 'Rechargery' charging hub aims to transform the EV charging experience into a convenient, amenity-rich pit stop for drivers.San Jose Today

IONNA, a joint venture of major automakers, has purchased a former car sales lot on West San Carlos Street in San Jose for $2.45 million. The company plans to develop the property into a 'Rechargery' - an EV charging hub with fast chargers, canopy coverage, restrooms, a driver's lounge, and retail or food options.

Why it matters

As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, the development of convenient and amenity-rich charging infrastructure will be crucial. IONNA's purchase and planned transformation of this San Jose site is part of the company's broader $250 million investment across California to build out its network of Rechargery charging hubs.

The details

IONNA, a joint venture of BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, purchased the 1555, 1557 West San Carlos Street and 45 Buena Vista Avenue property in early April 2026. The company plans to replace the former car sales lot with a Rechargery site featuring high-speed chargers capable of up to 400 kW, supporting two vehicles per unit and offering both CCS and NACS plugs.

  • IONNA purchased the San Jose property on April 8, 2026.
  • The company plans to begin permitting and design work in the coming weeks and months.

The players

IONNA

A joint venture of major automakers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, that began national operations in 2024 to build out a network of EV charging and retail hubs.

Seth Cutler

CEO of IONNA.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'IONNA Speed' isn't just about how quickly we grow, but also how we deliver.”

— Seth Cutler, CEO, IONNA

What’s next

IONNA will need to file a formal site plan with San Jose planners, who will then post public notices and engineering drawings for review before the project can advance.

The takeaway

IONNA's purchase and planned transformation of this San Jose car lot is a concrete example of the growing investment in EV charging infrastructure across California, as automakers and charging companies work to make electric vehicle ownership more convenient and accessible.