π Blink Rides the Tesla Train: Set to Unveil Ultra-Fast EV Chargers with Teslaβs Sizzling Port π
TL;DR: Blink Charging, the EV power station maestro, has some spicy πΆοΈ news! They’re cooking up a new ultra-fast charger with Tesla’s connector. It seems like everyone’s tripping over themselves to adopt Tesla’s previously exclusive North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, ditching the old Combined Charging System connector. Blink’s shares shot up, and it’s a party over there! But here’s the real zinger: Could Tesla’s charging network become a bigger cash cow ππ° than its cars? π€
Take a seat, folks. You’re in for a shock β‘! Blink Charging, the crafty wizards behind the nifty boxes that juice up your electric rides, just announced they’re going full-on “Team Tesla.” Blink is ready to launch a new fast charger that’s compatible with Tesla’s connector. Who would’ve thought? π
Remember the old Combined Charging System connectors that used to be all the rage? Well, it looks like they’re going the way of the dinosaurs π¦π¨! Last week, General Motors just threw in the towel and said, “We’re with Tesla,” as they jumped onto the NACS port bandwagon. They’re joining hands with Ford, who have also already pledged their loyalty to the Tesla connector cause.
With such hefty names backing it, the NACS port is set to dominate a whopping 60% of the U.S. EV market. Blink seems to be saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!” π₯
Now, here’s a thought to tickle your brain: Could the real money for Tesla be in the charging network, rather than the cars themselves? π€ Brokerage big shot Piper Sandler seems to think so. They’re predicting Tesla’s revenue from the charging network to skyrocket to about $9.65 billion in 2032, with more than half the sales coming from other EV makers plugging into the network.
Blink’s new Direct Current (DC) fast charger, which offers both NACS and Combined Charging System connectors, was sneak peeked at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023. They’ve said they’re just putting the finishing touches on it. Seems like Christmas came early for EV enthusiasts, eh? π π
The news sent Blink’s shares up by 1.2%, reaching $6.03 in pre-market trading. The mood over at Blink HQ must be as electric as their chargers.
But while we celebrate this victory for Blink and the shift towards a more unified EV charging standard, we should also pause for a thought: Are we creating a new monopoly with the dominance of the NACS port? π± Could this move actually stifle innovation in the EV charging industry in the long run? And while Tesla’s anticipated revenue from the charging network sounds tantalizing, could relying too heavily on this income source put the company at risk? After all, as the wise men say, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Or in this case, “Don’t plug all your EVs into one charging network?” π