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Frequently Asked Questions

Driver FAQ - Blink Charging (UK)

Blink Members

Do I need to be a Blink member to use the chargers?

Anyone can use a public Blink charging station; no membership is necessary. Simply download the Blink Charging mobile app to initiate a charge session as a guest. Alternatively, you can start charging by using an RFID card at Blink chargers or via contactless payment where available.

While it is free to become a Blink member, you'll need to add funds to your account before using a paid charger. To simplify this, we conveniently request that you add funds to your account during the account setup process. Skipping this step is possible, but do note that having funds in your account is necessary for charging at a station that requires a fee

Once you’ve logged into your Blink Account using the Blink Charging mobile app, click on the ‘Account’ tab. This will grant you access to manage your account, update your password, manage payment options, Blink Car, as well as update vehicle information and view your charging history. To update your email address, please contact our team at support.uk@blinkcharging.com.

Manage Account
This is where you can manage your Blink Membership and personal details:

  • Update your contact information

  • Customise your Blink profile

  • Delete Account


Update Password
This is where you can update your Blink Charging mobile app password:

  • Update password

  • After choosing a new password, click update


Payment
This is where you can manage your payment options:

  • Update or add credit card information

  • Update billing address

  • View account balance

  • Manage auto-refill options

  • View transaction history


Blink Card
This is where you can view and manage your Blink Membership Cards:

  • View your current activated Blink card

  • Request or activate a Blink card

  • Rename your card


Vehicle Information
This is where you can view and manage your vehicle information:

  • Add a new vehicle

  • Update or delete your vehicle information Contact support@blinkcharging.com if your vehicle type is not listed as an option.

 

Charge History
This is where you can view and manage your Blink public charging:

  • View Blink public charging history

  • View how much kWh energy was consumed

EV 101

How much does the charge cost?

Charging rates for our stations are found within the Blink Charging Mobile App when selecting a station. These rates vary between locations and equipment types. The total cost of fully charging a vehicle depends on its battery size and the specific car model. Referring to the car owner’s manual for battery size and charge speeds can assist in determining the charging cost. Information about charging fees and their determination can be found on the Blink website. Additionally, Blink Customer Support is available to assist users in determining the charging costs. Please contact our Customer Support at 0330 076 011 for further assistance.

 

Most of our charging stations are available for public usage, however, some locations might be restricted to certain groups (i.e. employees or tenants only). Please refer to station details on the Blink Mobile App for more information.

The length of time necessary to charge an EV depends on the rate at which the car can receive a charge. To complete a charge from empty to full on a Level 2 EV charger, it can take a few hours to overnight. Refer to your vehicle’s owners manual for more detailed information.

We offer Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, which provide a maximum 22kW of power to recharge an EV battery quickly, and DC Fast charging stations (DCFC) up to 350kW, which are compatible with most electric cars and provide a rapid charge. Please refer to the Blink Map or the Blink Charging mobile app to see what type of EV charging a station offers.

Level 2 charging is the most common EV charging type and is compatible with all electric vehicles sold in the United Kingdom & Ireland. DC Fast Chargers offer a faster charge than Level 2 charging, but it is not compatible with all-electric vehicles. For more information, visit our EV Charging Equipment page.

Blink provides flexible business models for station hosts, offering Host-Owned, Blink-Owned, and hybrid ownership models. Station pricing can be determined by either the Station Host or Blink’s recommended market pricing, depending on the contract. To view rates at your charging station, please check the Blink Mobile App or the station LCD screen.

Charging & Operation

How do I start a Blink charging session?

Drivers have multiple options to access and start charging sessions at public Blink EV chargers: through the Blink Charging mobile app, the Blink membership card. Additionally, they can use the contactless card reader available on select charging stations. It's important to be aware that all credit card transactions bank authorisation hold fee, which typically clears from your account within 2 to 3 business days, depending on your bank. (Some banks may require up to 10 days.).

Blink Charging Mobile App
Use the Blink Charging mobile app to find the nearest charging station. Select the desired location from the list and view its details. Choose the station and click "Start Charge" to begin the charging session. At any time, you have the option to pause or stop your charging session via the Blink Charging mobile app. The app is available for Android devices on Google Play and for iOS devices on the App Store. Additionally, guests can charge by using a guest sign-in option. Simply click on 'Continue as Guest,' in the app follow the payment verification steps, and adhere to the app instructions to initiate the charging process.


Blink Membership RFID Card
Hold your Blink RFID member card to the RFID reader on the charger and follow the on-screen instructions. Your Blink card is associated with your Blink Member account and payment information. Drivers can request a free Blink card on the Blink Mobile App.

Blink Customer Support
Blink Members: Contact our customer support at 0330 076 011 for assistance in starting a charge with your Blink account at a charging station. To ensure security, our customer support agents are unable to take your credit card number over the phone.

 

In the UK most if not all AC/DC chargers are built for compatibility as standard with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors.

When the charge is complete, the charger will display a steady green light at the charger port rather than the flashing green while it is actively charging. In addition, the charger screen will indicate the charge has been completed. Blink members who have opted in for communications may receive a text message, email, or both, alerting them that their charge has been completed. The Blink Charging mobile app can also provide you will notifications. To change notification settings, go to “Account,” click on Notifications, & you can opt into the app, SMS, or email notifications. Remember to move your vehicle from the EV spot so that others may charge and to avoid any potential penalty charges that may be inforce.

To stop charging at a Level 2 charger, press the lock release button on the charger connector, unplug it from your vehicle, and return it to the station. The charge will automatically terminate. Note that some vehicles have locks on their charging ports, preventing unplugging unless the car is engaged. When using a DC fast charger, ensure to press the stop button on the screen before unplugging your vehicle. With the Blink Charging mobile app, once you initiate a charge at a selected station, you can pause, resume, or restart the session at any time. Some vehicles have a mechanism that locks a charging connector to the charging port. If the connector is locked into your charging port, call your dealership or Blink Charging to troubleshoot. With some models, cycling through locking and unlocking your vehicle may help unlock the plug. Do NOT use a screwdriver to release the lock, as this may damage your vehicle.

ICEing refers to when an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle is blocking the charger. Contact the building management alerting them that a non-EV is parked in the EV spot. Similarly, if an EV is blocking a charging space but is not charging, contact the building or parking management. Do not unplug someone else’s electric vehicle without their permission.

Once a charge has been initiated, the light on the unit will display blue or if using the app this will indicate when a charge has started. If the charger has a screen then this will also indicate charge status. Most EVs also display current charging status in the dash of the vehicle.

When the power turns back on the unit will go through its reboot and test cycles. Upon successful completion, it will automatically return to its waiting to charge state. To continue charging you will need to initiate a new session. If the station is offline, please contact the property or parking manager so they can conduct a power cycle.

You can locate and view the real-time status (available, in-use, etc.) of Blink’s EV charging stations on the Blink Charging mobile app, available for iOS or Android devices. On the Blink Charging mobile app, you can search for charger location by postcode, city, business, category, or address, and filter results by speed, availability, hours, or connection type. You can also find Blink EV Charging stations on Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other popular mapping applications.

If the charger is offline due to a power outage, you will not be able to charge until power is restored. Please call Blink if you need help authorising a charging session.

If there is an issue with the EV charging station or charging, please contact Blink Customer Support at 0330 076 011 or via email at support.uk@blinkcharging.com. Our team is available 24/7. On the Blink Charging mobile app, when you select a station to begin your charging session, click on “Report Issue.” You can choose the issue, describe the issue, and add an image. Once you are done, click “Submit.”

You can find the station serial number, on the front of the station body.