Can you save charging cost with Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger? It is compatible with all Teslas J1772 adapter (sold separately) and any plug-in vehicle (including Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion, VW, e-Golf, etc.). It offers 30 amp charging, which is faster than standard charging cables that come in a new EV. If you want to delay the charge to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, simply set the delay times to 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. Discover more in Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger review?
Pros & Cons – Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger
Pros
- Long 18 ft cable for accessibility
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Fast 30 amp (240-volt) charging
- Compatible with most EVs
- Intuitive controls
- Charge delay settings for convenience and cost-efficiency
- Includes mounting hardware
- Affordably priced
Cons
- No wifi functionality
- Professional installation recommended
Good for
Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger review is a high-powered, networked EVSE that’s ideal for apartment complexes, condominiums, and all multi-unit dwellings.
Compatibility
You can use the Blink Home charger with any plug-in EV, including Tesla (with the separate purchase of a J1772 adapter), Nissan, Chevrolet, and Toyota models, plus many more. It’s even compatible with some of the newest models on the market, like the Chevrolet Bolt.
Its versatility allows you to use it on any EV, including the tesla models S, X, and 3, Chevy Bolt and Volt, Toyota Prius, Nissan LEAF, VW, Ford Fusion, e-Golf, and a lot more. You’ll also get a 300$ Blink Network charging credit for a limited time.
Price
For home charging equipment, Blink offers the HQ 100, a 30-amp Level 2 EVSE for $399. Additionally, purchasers of the HQ 100 then get a $300 credit to use while charging on the Blink Network, netting out the cost of the unit to only $99.
Blink EV charging cost with Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger
In the states that don’t allow kWh-based pricing, Blink members pay $.04 per minute and Blink guests pay $.06 per minute.
Blink EV charging cost varies depending on your level of membership and where the station is located. In States where pricing by kWh is permitted, cost varies from $0.39 to $0.79 (USD) per kWh to charge at a level 2 charging station and from $0.49 to $0.69 (USD) per kWh to charge at a DCFC station. In States where this type of pricing is not permitted, Blink EV charging cost varies between $0.04 to $0.06 (USD) per minute and charging at a DCFC station costs from $6.99 to $9.99 (USD) per session.
Here is a list of the states where pricing by kWh is permitted: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger review
Design
The all-black, glossy design looks professional and high-quality whilst remaining unobtrusive and able to complement almost any home exterior. The Blink home EV charger’s construction is sleek, stylish, and simple.
Build
The connector is rubberized, not hard plastic and provides a good grip and nice feel in your hand. We’ve noticed some of the all-plastic connectors have a cheap feel to them, but the connector used by Blink feels solid, comparable to the connectors used by ChargePoint and ClipperCreek.
Mounting
They are much sleeker and more attractive than the first generation Blink level 2 chargers, in our opinion. It can also be mounted on a pole that was specially-designed by Blink to hold up to three IQ 200s. The IQ 200 can be wall-mounted as seen in the installation.
Cable
The cable, on the other hand, is very thick and quite heavy. I’m sure that’s because the IQ 200 can deliver up to 80-amps. The cable’s casing feels thinker than it does on most EVSE cables
LCD display
The 7″ color touchscreen display is bright and seems much better than the touchscreens on the previous-generation Blink level 2 stations. It’s very clear and responsive, and while I have it installed inside the garage, it looks like it will be clear and readable outdoors in sunlight, something that’s a problem on many public charging stations, like the Electrify America touchscreens, for instance.
Load-sharing
The IQ 200s will intelligently share power and even queue up cars that are plugged in but not charging, to begin charging once the other cars plugged in first finish. The Blink IQ 200 has the ability to load-share across anywhere from 2 to 20 units from a single 100-amp feed. Therefore an apartment complex, workplace charging facility, or any multi-unit dwelling will have the ability to service many EVs with only one power feed.
Charge delay function in Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger
The charger does have a charge delay function, which allows users to plug their vehicle into the charging port and set a charging time several hours in advance. You can set a short 2-hour delay or opt for a longer delay of 4, 6, or even 8 hours! you have the option of monitoring your charging status through your vehicle’s own application if you have one, but there’s no app download requirement for charge functionality.
The Blink Electric Vehicle Charger works by plugging in your vehicle, and press a button to choose the appropriate start delay. This will avoid charging during peak utility hours, making it extra cost-effective. Then you’ll be able to monitor the EV’s charging status from anywhere, using your vehicle’s app, if available.
Charge speed
It charges our 24kwh leaf in about 3-1/2 hours from zero, a big improvement over the old 120v.
Blink Home Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger Installation
The Blink has everything we were looking for; long 18′ cord, delay timer,simple wiring. Installation took about an hour. Unit comes with a cord tender. This is a direct wire unit. From your breaker, you simply connect one supply line to the terminal marked L1, the other line goes to a terminal marked L2. Then a ground wire to the terminal marked by the grounding symbol.
Do you need Blink membership to use the charger?
Anyone can charge at a public Blink charger. No membership required. If you are not a Blink member, payment can be made using a Blink Guest Code, available from any computer, mobile device, on the Blink Mobile app or by contacting Blink Customer Support at (888) 998.2546. However, becoming a Blink Member has its advantages. As a member, drivers receive discounted charging fees at public charging stations on the Blink Network across the country. Blink Memberships are free.
