Ever been afraid to ask a “stupid question”? The truth is that many other people probably have the same question. Many drivers think they lack the EV know-how needed to lease or buy an EV. But the truth is that everyone started at the beginning at some point! EVs are designed to be user-friendly, and we promise you don’t need a Ph.D. in electrical engineering to drive one.
First, congratulations on the purchase of your first electric vehicle! Many manufacturers and websites tell new drivers how simple it is to “just plug in and go!” They fail however to go through the process step by step for those who have never done it before.
Charging is simple, and owners quickly get the hang of it. But if you’re a first-timer, follow these simple steps to charge your new EV and discover just how simple Blink charging can be!
Charging at a Public EV Charging Station
The process is very much the same for public charging, with a few noticeable differences. Most public chargers are Level 2 chargers, like the Blink IQ 200. The cord you will need is already attached to the charger.
Steps:
1. Park your car in the spot marked for EVs and make sure you’re close enough to use the cord.
2. The cord for the charger should be wound around the charger. Unwind it and bring the plug to your charge port.
3. Open the charge port.
4. Push the Blink charger end into place and make sure it latches into your EV.
5. Start the charge with the Blink mobile app, your Blink member card, or by calling customer service.
6. Once the screen displays, the charge has started electricity is flowing. If you'd like to double-check, you can look at the vehicle dashboard. Some cars will have an indicator light to show when the vehicle is charging. You can also look at the charger to make sure that energy is flowing.
7. Keep track of the time. Depending on the charger and vehicle, the charge plug may be locked into your charge port, making it impossible for other drivers to use the charger until you return to your car and unplug. Make a plan to unplug and move your vehicle once you're done charging.
8. When you are finished charging or would like to leave, remove the connector, wind the cord up, and put it neatly back where you found it. It’s considered rude and a tripping hazard to leave the cord on the ground.
Charging at Home
A simple 110-volt charging cord comes with your new EV, and you can use it with a plug in your garage with a Level 1 Charger. For a faster charge, you can install a 32amp or 50amp Level 2 Home Charger in your garage that can fully charge your EV overnight.
Steps:
1. Begin by plugging your 110-volt charging cord into an outlet. Or, if you have a Level 2 charger, you can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet or have your electrician hardwire the unit into your electrical system.
2. Locate the charge port on your car, or where the cord connects to charge the car.
3. Make sure you park your car close enough to the outlet for the cord to reach the connection. Depending on the location of your charge port, you may need to park forwards or backwards in your garage.
4. Open the charge port.
5. Push charger into place and make sure they connect.
6. The electricity will flow automatically, but you want to make sure, so look at the dashboard. Some cars will have an indicator light to signal that charging has begun.
7. The cord is locked into place while charging, so don’t try to move the car until you have unplugged.
8. When you are finished charging, unplug the charging cord or cable and return it to a safe place where you will not trip or drive over it.
At Blink, EV charging is what we do, and we’re always here and always happy to help. If you have any questions at all, call us anytime. We’re excited to fuel the future together.