Fleets worldwide, including those in the United States, are increasingly transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). While this shift presents challenges, notably in terms of cost, there are strategies to mitigate expenses while advancing towards EV adoption and achieving decarbonization objectives. This insight was shared by Jay Hudson, Director of Fleet and Government Sales at Blink Charging, during a recent segment on Advanced Clean Tech News (ACT News).
Flexibility can help cut costs
With electrification, the fueling dynamic undergoes a significant shift. Fleets no longer depend on external infrastructure but can refuel efficiently right where their vehicles are parked. This approach effectively transforms each parking spot for company vehicles into a refueling station.
To aid in the transition from public to onsite infrastructure, Blink offers a range of business models tailored to manage costs for companies. These models aim to minimize upfront investment by shifting expenses from capital to operational costs, providing flexibility and financial ease.
As Hudson says, “Our business models are really geared toward trying to minimize the amount of investment that a company has to make on the front end, so rather than it being a large capital expense, we can shift – through our various business models and channels – that expense away from upfront capital costs to operating expenses.”
Furthermore, Blink extends financing options to fleet operators and offers the following business models:
Host Owned- For fleet operators capable of managing upfront capital expenses, the Host Owned business model enables them to outright purchase the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and manage their operation.
Blink Owned- Under the Blink Owned model, at select locations, Blink handles installation, equipment provision, operations, and administration, while sharing a portion of the revenues with the host.
Blink As A Service- Blink as a Service, Blink’s subscription program, offers fleet operators EV charging stations with minimal initial costs and complete ownership control without the associated management hassles.
Hybrid Owned- With the Hybrid Owned program, Blink covers equipment, operations, and administration costs, requiring fleet operators only to prepare the site for EV charger installation.
Hudson emphasized Blink’s commitment to providing innovative approaches not only in EV charging technology but also in making such technology accessible to fleet clients at an affordable cost. He highlighted the range of ownership options, recognizing that each business has unique needs and preferences.
Proprietary network
Blink not only stands as one of the largest manufacturers of EVSE but also operates its own network, the Blink Network. This unique position enables Blink to promptly address the requirements of fleet clients Hudson emphasized.
Utilizing its network capabilities, Blink employs analytics to optimize charging schedules, lower energy expenses, and improve overall fleet efficiency for its clients. Each fleet customer gains entry to their personalized Blink Fleet Portal, a comprehensive dashboard equipping them with tools to oversee all facets of their charging stations.
“Core to our mission as a company is giving fleet managers and business operators the tools that they need to have one single dashboard – one single source of truth, if you will – that gives them a global look into all of their fleet assets,” Hudson said, “[including] how they’re charging – all the sessions – and, very importantly, how is the electricity load on a site-by-site basis being managed.”
