Driver FAQ - Blink Charging

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, or the automated pay-by-phone system for Series X chargers. Additionally, they can use the credit card reader available on select charging stations. It's important to be aware that all credit card transactions will result in a $10-$40 bank authorization hold, which typically clears from your account within 2 to 3 business days, depending on your bank. (Some banks may require up to 10 days.) However, utilizing a membership with automatic replenishment will bypass this hold.

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 code at IT stations. Simply click on 'Charge as Guest,' follow the payment verification steps, and adhere to the app instructions to initiate the charging process.[icon to the right]

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.

Series 8 & DCFC: Physical Credit Card Reader
Swipe or tap your card to the credit card reader on the charger and follow the on-screen instructions.

Blink Customer Support
Blink Members: Contact our customer support at (888) 998-2546 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. Please utilize the interactive voice response system to make a payment for your charge using a credit card.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Call 850-909-8238 to start a charge at Series X chargers with a credit card using our automated voice system. Follow the prompts to type in the station serial number.

* Kindly note that when adding a credit card to your Blink member account, creating a Blink guest code, or making a credit card or IVR payment, an authorization hold will appear on the provided credit card account. This hold serves solely for authorization and will not result in charges. Charges will not be applied to your account until you add funds or start a charging session.

The current authorization hold amounts are:

• $10 for Series Q

• $20 for Series X

• Up to $40 DCFC

With a Blink Code or Blink Guest Code you can use any of our publicly available Blink IQ charging stations. Get a Blink Code via the Blink Charging Mobile App: Download the Blink Charging mobile app. If you prefer to charge with a Blink guest code, simply select “Charge as Guest”, enter your payment information and continue to begin your charging session. Please note that creating a Blink Guest Code will incur a $25 authorization hold on your credit card. This is not a charge from Blink but will drop off your card after 2-3 days depending on your bank. Call Blink at (888)-998-2546 to request a Blink Code if you’re unable to connect to the Internet or experiencing poor cellular/data reception. Our customer service team can issue a Blink Code from your account or provide a guest Blink Code to start your charging session. Remember you can only have one Blink Code at a time, and codes expire after 12 hours. Your account or credit card will not be charged until you have used the code, and unused codes won’t result in any costs.

In North America, Blink Level 2 charging stations are compatible with all electric vehicles that use the J1772 plug, which is standard on all North American vehicles. The Blink units can also charge Tesla model vehicles with the Tesla/NACS adapter available directly through Tesla. For DC Fast Chargers, please check your vehicle manual for compatibility with standard CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. Beginning in 2024, some Blink charging stations may also feature a NACS plug.

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 set to opt into the app, SMS, or email notifications. </br></br>Remember to move your vehicle from the EV spot so that others may charge.

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 valet or building management alerting them that a non-EV is parked in the EV spot and request to have the vehicle moved so that you can charge. Similarly, if an EV is blocking a charging space but is not charging, contact 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. The charger screen 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 zip code, 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.

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§ The charger being offline depends on the reason behind it. If you encounter an offline Series Q charger, you can begin charging using a Blink card. The station will charge your battery normally and store the session information locally. When the charger reconnects online, it will automatically transmit the session information to Blink, and you'll receive a bill accordingly. 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 authorizing a charging session.

Click here to view the user and installation manuals for the HQ 200 residential EV charger.

If there is an issue with the EV charging station or charging, please contact Blink Customer Support at (888) 998-2546 or via email at support@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.”

Some Blink hosts restrict access to employees or residents. There are two ways to request Private Access at private Series stations.

1. Search for the location using the Search Bar in the Blink app, then tap the Request Private Access button. An email will be sent to the host requesting access. Once the host approves, you will be able to charge with your Blink account.

2. The second way to get access is with an Invitation Code given to you by the site host. Go to Account > Membership > Private Access Organization. Enter the Invitation Code. An email will be sent to the host requesting access. Once the host approves, you will be able to charge with your Blink account.

SemaConnect is now part of Blink! Now you can charge at thousands of SemaConnect and Blink charging stations with the Blink mobile app. Click here to download the Blink Charging app for iOS and Android.

There are two main types of Blink Level 2 chargers: Series X and Series Q. You can find the station serial number, model name, and safety information on the left side of the station body. The serial number for a Series X station begins with the letters BAE followed by 6 digits. The serial number for a Series Q station has 16 digits, usually starting with L1.