Using Blink Charging as a First-Time EV Owner
Last Updated on January 26, 2025 12:09 pm by Jeffrey Powers
The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) marks an exciting milestone in transportation—one that brings both environmental benefits and technological advancements. For a first-time EV owner, navigating the world of charging infrastructure can feel like entering an entirely new ecosystem.
At CES 2025, I talked with Beth Villarreal, Brand Communications Manager at Blink Charging, and reflect on my own experiences as a new EV owner.
A Smooth Start with Blink
Six months ago, I made the leap into the EV world. The first charger I ended up using happened to be a Blink charger at a local municipality. Their expansive network, featuring over 100 charging stations across North America, Europe, and Latin America, offers Level 2 and DC fast charging options—a vital resource for EV newcomers like me.
Beth highlighted how Blink’s focus extends beyond hardware. “Our mission is education,” she explained. “We aim to connect with new EV drivers and build a community.” That mission resonates deeply. When I purchased my EV, I immediately found two Blink stations near my home—one of which offers free charging. That discovery alone was a revelation, emphasizing the value of understanding charging networks.
Decoding Charging Levels
For first-time EV owners, understanding charging levels is crucial:
- Level 1 (110V): Standard household outlets. While convenient, they’re slow—ideal only for plug-in hybrids or emergency use.
- Level 2 (220V): The sweet spot for residential and workplace charging. Depending on your car’s specifications, this can add 25 to 65 miles of range per hour.
- DC Fast Charging: Ideal for road trips or quick recharges, these chargers can bring your battery to 80% in under an hour. However, not all vehicles support fast charging, so check your car’s compatibility.
Since this older EV model maxes out at 6 kilowatts per hour, a full charge on a 110V outlet takes around 18 hours. For day-to-day driving, every now and then I had to use some of the Level 2 chargers around town.
Good thing there was an EV initiative in my home town with a lot of chargers, some of them offering low cost or free charging.
Bringing Blink Home
Installing a Blink home charger was another eye-opener. For single-family homes, a Level 2 charger can be plugged into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, similar to an appliance setup. The cost for a residential charger starts around $700—a worthwhile investment for the convenience and efficiency it offers.
The Future of EV Charging
Beth talked about Blink’s readiness for ISO 15118 technology. This standard enables plug-and-charge functionality, allowing your vehicle and charger to authenticate automatically. Additionally, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology enables bidirectional charging, where your EV can supply power to your home during outages or feed energy back into the grid—a glimpse into a smarter, more resilient energy ecosystem.
The Learning Curve
Owning an EV has been an interesting learning curve; Beyond environmental benefits, the day-to-day conveniences—like never having to visit a gas station. On the other end, remembering to plug in nightly to understanding “milage” and battery behavior in colder weather.
To learn more about Blink Charging, visit BlinkCharging.com.

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