IKEA officially plugged-in four Blink® electric vehicle charging stations at one of its Chicago-area stores as part of its partnership with Car Charging Group, Inc., the new owner of the Blink Network and Blink charging stations, and the largest provider of EV charging services with more than 13,750 charging points in 35 states and three countries. To charge an EV at IKEA Bolingbrook, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, tap their Blink InCard to the reader below the screen, plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging.
This initiative represents the 13th such U.S. project for IKEA, with installation underway at other locations. In all, installation of units currently planned will bring the number of Blink charging stations available at IKEA locations to 54. Drivers may also call Blink Customer Support for a guest code for the charging session and/or become a Blink member, which provides discounted rates at Blink stations. Information about Blink membership is also available at blinknetwork.com.
“Installing EV charging stations at IKEA Bolingbrook reinforces our commitment to sustainability,” said Christof Stein, store manager. “Being a sustainable retailer includes a focus on the sustainable transport of people. So, accommodating the needs of EV drivers – with support from CarCharging and ComEd – meets both goals.”
IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims to minimize impacts on the environment. The 310,000-square-foot IKEA Bolingbrook opened in September 2005 on 23 acres and completed installation of a solar energy system atop the store in 2012.
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| Source: IKEA / Business Wire |