Blink Clears the Air on Electric Vehicles

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced over 50,000 potential new jobs and more than 150 new or expanded EV assembly and charger manufacturing sites. The International Council on Clean Transportation projects that approximately 160,000 jobs will be created by 2032 to support EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. According to the World Resources Institute, converting existing manufacturing facilities and retraining automotive workers will help ease the transition from ICE to EV.

• Regardless of powertrain, all passenger vehicles in the United States must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. A 2020 IIHS-HLDI report comparing insurance claims and losses between EVs and ICE vehicles found that electric vehicles had a 20% lower collision claim frequency and 19% lower overall losses. 

• Although there are some alarming reports about vehicle fires, studies show that electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. EV FireSafe found that globally, passenger EVs had a 0.0012% chance of a battery-related fire, compared to 0.1% for ICE vehicles. In the United States, EVs are the least likely to catch fire, with 25.1 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold, compared to 1,529.9 fires for gas vehicles. (Source)

Yes, electric vehicles can still operate in heat. However, Recurrent notes that vehicle range can decrease by 31% on hot (100F/38C) days. Based on driver reports on social media, Blink recommends that EV drivers using key fobs or OEM mobile apps monitor their batteries to ensure their keys do not lose power. To stay cool and maintain your range, we recommend parking in the shade, preconditioning your vehicle before unplugging from the charger, and reducing the use of unnecessary accessories.

• EV batteries are not disposed of in landfills. Instead, they are recycled or repurposed for other uses. This misconception often arises from comparing EV batteries to nickel-cadmium batteries used in household items. Unlike those, EV batteries are lithium-ion and are significantly different from typical household or car batteries. 

• Even when an EV battery pack is no longer suitable for driving, it still retains a substantial amount of power. According to Dr. Hanjiro Ambrose from the University of California, Davis, after 8 to 12 years of use, an EV battery pack can still hold more than two-thirds of its original power. These battery packs can then be repurposed for battery energy storage systems in their second life. 

• In August 2024, the US Department of Energy announced a $41 million funding opportunity for state and local governments to create or enhance battery recycling programs, along with $43 million for research and development in advanced battery technologies. 

• A 2021 analysis by GridLab, E3, and the University of California, Berkeley, projected that in a scenario with no new EV adoption policies, coincident peak load from charging would reach 30 GW by 2035 and 95 GW by 2050. In an accelerated scenario where all light-duty vehicle sales are electric by 2030, coincident peak load would increase to 113 GW in 2035 and 167 GW in 2050. 

• PwC estimates that EV load must increase from 24,000 to 468,000 GWh between 2023 and 2040. However, analysts note that this represents only “9% to 12% of the projected US grid capacity, which remains within 2023’s reserve margins.” 

• It’s important to remember that not all vehicles charge simultaneously. Load management technology can shift charging to off-peak times, and other technologies such as battery storage and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) can also help optimize the grid.

• The transition to EVs is gradual, allowing ample time to upgrade electrical infrastructure to keep pace with EV adoption.

• Several studies have analyzed the gap between current and future power needs for electric vehicles.

  • A 2019 “Summary Report by U.S. DRIVE on EVs at scale and the U.S. Electric Power System” estimated that with medium to high EV adoption, the U.S. would need to add 15 to 27 Terawatt hours annually by 2050.

  • E3, GridLab, and UC Berkeley’s 2021 report, “2035 2.0: Distribution Grid Cost Impacts Driven by Transportation Electrification,” finds that in a scenario where all light-duty vehicle sales are EVs by 2030, the coincident peak load will be 113 Gigawatts (0.113 TW) in 2035 and 167 GW (0.167 TW) in 2050.

  • PWC projects  that average total annual power consumption in the U.S. could increase from 24 TWh in 2023 to 468 TWh by 2040, an 1850% increase. However, this still only represents 9% to 12% of the projected U.S. grid capacity, which remains within current reserve margins.

  • Rystad Energy recently forecasted that power consumption from transportation will rise from 18.3 TWh in 2023 to 131 TWh by 2030.

• Remember, electrical grids are constantly maintained, repaired, and upgraded every year, regardless of EV adoption.

According to Yale Climate Connections, “in the U.S. as a whole, driving an EV lowers CO2 pollution by two-thirds,” with reductions ranging from 31% to 94% depending on the sources of electricity generation in each state. The American Lung Association estimates that, coupled with renewable energy, a nationwide shift to 100% sales of zero-emission passenger vehicles by 2035 and medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2040 could result in over $1.2 trillion in public health benefits by 2050.

As EV drivers continue to purchase vehicles from various brands, the need for charging stations at home, work, and on the go grows. While some companies focus solely on fast charging or simply installing chargers, the right approach is strategic: the right charger in the right place at the right time. View our Investor Portal here.

DC fast charging (DCFC) is primarily used for road trips and fleets. Most EV drivers charge overnight at home, or at work, or at public chargers if home access isn't available. Level 2 (L2) charging typically fits seamlessly into your routine—you no longer need to plan trips to the gas station. Just plug in when you get home from work and unplug with a full battery in the morning. EV charging is more convenient than using gas stations because you can charge at home or work.

Blink is committed to enhancing charger reliability and ensuring that chargers are placed in the right locations at the right times. EV drivers need dependable charging stations wherever they spend their time, and Blink will continue to focus on providing that. Our new Blink Care preventative maintenance program is designed to improve charger reliability by scheduling semiannual inspections and testing at participating station locations.