IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to install three Blink® electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its future Columbus store opening Summer 2017 as Ohio’s second such store. This initiative reflects the continued partnership between IKEA and Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTC: CCGI), the owner of the Blink Network and Blink EV charging stations, and the largest provider of EV charging services with thousands of public EV charging stations in 36 states and two countries. There currently are EV charging units at 16 IKEA stores in the United States.
“Installing EV charging stations at the future IKEA Columbus reinforces our commitment to sustainability,” said David Garcia, store manager. “As a retailer, IKEA realizes that a focus on the sustainable transport of people can help empower customers to live sustainably. So, meeting the needs of EV drivers helps achieve both goals.”
To charge an EV at the future IKEA Columbus, drivers can tap their Blink InCard (RFID card) to the reader below the screen, initiate the session directly from the Blink Mobile application, or use a guest code provided via the Blink Mobile App, www.BlinkCode.com, or Blink Customer Support (888-998-2546). Once the session is initiated, drivers can plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. EV drivers can become a Blink member for free and typically receive discounted charging fees at Blink EV charging stations. More information about how to use the Blink EV charging stations and becoming a Blink Member is available at blinknetwork.com.
Drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, IKEA believes it can do good business while minimizing impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating environmental measures into buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, and selling only LED bulbs. Consistent with its goal to be energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings worldwide and owns nearly 350 wind turbines, including 104 in the U.S.
Under construction on 33 acres at the northeastern corner of I-71 and Gemini Place in the Polaris Centers of Commerce, the 354,000-square-foot future IKEA Columbus and 1,200 parking spaces reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA is known worldwide, and will include one of Ohio’s largest rooftop solar arrays, consistent with the solar presence at 90% of IKEA U.S. locations. In addition to 500 jobs created by construction, 300 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Positions currently are posted online, with remaining opportunities available in Spring. Until IKEA Columbus opens as the 44th U.S. IKEA store and second in Ohio, customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores in: West Chester, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Canton, MI; or online at IKEA-USA.com.
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About Blink Charging Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK, BLNKW) is a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment that has deployed over 23,000 charging stations, many of which are networked EV charging stations, enabling EV drivers to easily charge at any of its charging locations worldwide. The Company’s principal line of products and services is its Blink EV charging network (“Blink Network”), EV charging equipment, and EV charging services. The Blink Network utilizes a proprietary cloud-based software that operates, maintains, and tracks the EV charging stations connected to the network and the associated charging data. With global EV purchases forecasted to rise to 10 million by 2025 from approximately 2 million in 2019, the Company has established key strategic partnerships to rollout adoption across numerous location types, including parking facilities, multi-family residences and condos, workplace locations, healthcare/medical facilities, schools and universities, airports, auto dealers, hotels, mixed-use municipal locations, parks and recreation areas, religious institutions, restaurants, retailers, stadiums, supermarkets, and transportation hubs. For more information please visit: https://blinkcharging.com/.