LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced it has installed three Blink® electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Las Vegas, Nevada store as part of a partnership with Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI), the owner of the Blink Network and Blink EV charging stations, and the largest provider of EV charging services with thousands of public EV charging stations in 36 states and two countries.
“Installing EV charging stations at IKEA Las Vegas reinforces our commitment to sustainability,” said store manager Amy Jensen. “Being a sustainable retailer includes a focus on the sustainable transport of people and empowering our customers to live sustainably too. So, accommodating the needs of EV drivers meets both goals.”
To charge an EV at IKEA Las Vegas, drivers can tap their Blink InCard (RFID card) to the reader below the screen, initiate the session directly from the Blink Mobile application, or use a guest code provided via the Blink Mobile app, www.BlinkCode.com, or Blink Customer Support (888-998-2546). Once the session is initiated, drivers can plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. EV drivers can become a Blink member, which is free and typically provides discounted charging fees at Blink EV charging stations. More information about how to use the Blink EV charging stations and becoming a Blink Member is available at blinknetwork.com.
IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can do good business while minimizing impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating environmental measures into the actual buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, and selling only LED bulbs. Consistent with the goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 300 wind turbines, including 104 in the U.S.
Located on 26 acres along the northern side of the 215 Beltway at S. Durango Drive, near Sunset Road in Clark County, the 351,000-square-foot IKEA Las Vegas opened May 18, 2016, and employs approximately 300 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, this IKEA store presents 43 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. Also, IKEA installed Nevada’s largest single-use commercial rooftop solar array on the store. The store also is the second U.S. IKEA store to open with only LED lighting for sale, and for use inside and outside the building.
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at affordable prices. There are currently more than 380 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 42 in the U.S. IKEA has been ranked among “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
