Joining the EV Charging Network
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is still in the early stages, but retailers and other public and private sectors are already beginning to plan for the EV future. Among the many decisions, the public and private sectors must make is choosing the business model they plan to use when providing EV charging stations. At Blink, we know there is not a one size fits all solution, which is why Blink prides itself on offering a variety of business models - allowing us to be the most flexible company for EV charging. At Blink, we believe that a strategic owner-operator model provides greater flexibility and better outcomes.
Why Owner Operator
In our owner-operator model, the third-party real estate owner works with Blink, who then installs and operates the charging infrastructure at the owner’s site. The site host is not responsible for the EV charging station maintenance, utility coordination, or other operational costs. The Blink owner-operator model allows businesses to do what they do best and not worry about unforeseen factors that come with operating an EV charger while still being able to offer EV charging at their location. Further, site hosts who partner with Blink, using our owner-operator models, limit their financial risks. Our competitor’s business models rely on site hosts purchasing new charging stations to generate revenue. When other charging providers sell a site host a charger, that is the end of the relationship, and the company moves on to the next deal. The competitor’s model has led to countless old charging stations going out of service because a site host was left to maintain their own equipment and decided it was not worth the hassle. With our owner-operator model, since Blink owns the chargers, it is in the best interest of Blink to encourage the use of our charging stations and bring EV drivers to a site host’s location. Another advantage of partnering with Blink’s owner-operator model is that when paired with a grant, the site host can generate guaranteed revenue from that parking space. The income from the charging stations provides a consistent revenue stream to the site host. Additionally, a retail site host can still benefit from offering a charging station as an amenity, such as attracting new customers or enticing existing customers to spend more time at a location because of access to an EV charger.
Multiple Owner-Operator Options with Blink
The value in choosing from various plans provides customers with flexibility and lower fees, depending on the model. In addition, hosts could qualify for a percentage of revenue share dependent on the model they select. Blink offers a number of different options for customers, including:
Blink-Owned Turnkey Business Model: Blink incurs the charging equipment and installation costs. Blink owns and operates the EV charging station and provides connectivity of the charging station to the Blink Network. In this model, Blink incurs most costs associated with the EV charging stations; thus, Blink retains most of the EV charging revenues after deducting network connectivity and processing fees.
Hybrid Business Model: Blink incurs the costs of the charging equipment while the property host incurs the installation costs. Blink owns and operates the EV charging station and provides connectivity of the charging station to the Blink Network. In this model, the host incurs the installation costs associated with the EV station; thus, Blink shares a portion of the EV charging revenues with the property partner.
Blink-As-A-Service Model: Blink owns and operates the EV charging station, while the property host incurs the installation costs. The property host pays Blink a fixed monthly fee and keeps all the EV charging revenues after deducting network connectivity and processing fees.
Current Hosts
Blink has collaborated with property hosts, including well-recognized companies, large municipalities, and local businesses. Blink clients include McDonald’s, Sony Pictures, Caltrans, City of Chula Vista, City of Tucson, Federal Realty, and Kroger Company. For more information about Blink’s owner-operator models, please visit our website.