Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.20.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Blink Charging Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

USE OF ESTIMATES

 

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, together with amounts disclosed in the related notes to the financial statements. The Company’s significant estimates used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, stock-based compensation, accounts receivable reserves, warranty reserves, inventory valuations, the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets, the carrying amount of intangible assets, right of use assets and related leases payable estimates of future EV sales and the effects thereon, derivative liabilities and the recoverability and useful lives of long-lived assets. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

 

CASH

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has cash on deposits in several financial institutions which, at times, may be in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of its financial institutions. The Company reduces its credit risk by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had cash balances in excess of FDIC insurance limits of $3,494,360.

 

INVESTMENTS

 

Available-for-sale debt securities are recorded at fair value with the net unrealized gains and losses (that are deemed to be temporary) reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses and charges for other-than-temporary impairments are included in determining net income, with related purchase costs based on the first-in, first-out method. The Company evaluates its available-for-sale-investments for possible other-than-temporary impairments by reviewing factors such as the extent to which, and length of time, an investment’s fair value has been below the Company’s cost basis, the issuer’s financial condition, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for sufficient time for its market value to recover. For impairments that are other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. The fair value of the investment then becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment and it is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

 

The following summarizes our investments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

    December 31,  
    2019     2018  
Short-term investments:                
Available- for-sale investments   $ 3,150,332     $ 2,878,664  

 

The following is a summary of the unrealized gains, and fair value by investment type as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

    December 31, 2019  
    Unrealized Gains, Net     Fair Value  
Fixed income   $ 183,173     $ 3,150,332  
                 

 

    December 31, 2018  
    Unrealized Gains, Net     Fair Value  
Fixed income   $ -     $ 2,878,664  
                 

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Accounts receivable are carried at their contractual amounts, less an estimate for uncollectible amounts. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was an allowance for uncollectible amounts of $71,935 and $84,542, respectively. Management estimates the allowance for bad debts based on existing economic conditions, the financial conditions of the customers, and the amount and age of past due accounts. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for bad debts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted.

 

INVENTORY

 

Inventory is comprised of electric charging stations and related parts, which are available for sale or for warranty requirements. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventory that is sold to third parties is included within cost of sales and inventory that is installed on the premises of participating owner/operator properties, where the Company retains ownership, is transferred to property and equipment at the carrying value of the inventory. The Company periodically reviews for slow-moving, excess or obsolete inventories. Products that are determined to be obsolete, if any, are written down to net realizable value. Based on the aforementioned periodic reviews, the Company recorded an inventory reserve for slow-moving or excess inventory of $892,000 and $396,000 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s inventory was comprised solely of finished goods and parts that are available for sale.

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization which is recorded commencing at the in-service date using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

 

    Useful Lives
Asset   (In Years)
     
Computer software and office and computer equipment   3 - 5
Machinery and equipment, automobiles, furniture and fixtures   3 - 10
Installed Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations   3 - 7
Installed Level 3 (DC Fast Chargers (“DCFC”)) electric vehicle charging stations   5

 

When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statements of operations for the respective period. Minor additions and repairs are expensed in the period incurred. Major additions and repairs which extend the useful life of existing assets are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over their remaining estimated useful lives.

 

EV charging stations represents the cost, net of accumulated depreciation, of charging devices that have been installed on the premises of participating owner/operator properties or are earmarked to be installed. The Company had no EV charging stations that were not placed in service as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

The Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets by monitoring current selling prices of car charging units in the open market, the adoption rate of various auto manufacturers in the EV market and projected car charging utilization at various public car charging stations throughout its network in determining fair value. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. See Note 5 – Property and Equipment for additional details.

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets were acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of Blink Network LLC (“Blink Network”) during 2013 and were recorded at their fair value at such time. Trademarks are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life of ten years. Patents are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the patent (twenty years or less), commencing when the patent is approved and placed in service. Internal-use software is amortized over the term of the agreement with the software provider. See Note 6 – Intangible Assets for additional details.

 

SEGMENTS

 

The Company operates a single segment business. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker, views the Company’s operating performance on a consolidated basis as Blink’s only business is the sale and distribution of electric vehicle charging equipment and its associated revenues earned from customers and/or Property Partners who use equipment connected to its network.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

The Company recognizes revenue pursuant to Topic 606 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under previous accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.

 

The Company adopted ASC 606 for all applicable contracts using the modified retrospective method, which would have required a cumulative-effect adjustment, if any, as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of adoption. As a result, a cumulative-effect adjustment was not required.

 

The Company recognizes revenue primarily from five different types of contracts:

 

  Charging service revenue – company-owned charging stations - Revenue is recognized at the point when a particular charging session is completed.
  Product sales – Revenue is recognized at the point where the customer obtains control of the goods and the Company satisfies its performance obligation, which generally is at the time it ships the product to the customer.
  Network fees and other – Represents a stand-ready obligation whereby the Company is obligated to perform over a period of time and, as a result, revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term. Network fees are billed annually.
  Other – Primarily related to charging service revenue from non-company-owned charging stations. Revenue is recognized from non-company-owned charging stations at the point when a particular charging session is completed in accordance with a contractual relationship between the Company and the owner of the station.

 

The following table summarizes our revenue recognized under ASC 606 in our consolidated statements of operations:

 

    For The Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2019     2018  
             
Revenues - Recognized at a Point in Time                
Charging service revenue - company-owned charging stations   $ 1,359,218     $ 1,264,719  
Product sales     856,243       476,930  
Other     166,710       187,252  
Total Revenues - Recognized at a Point in Time     2,382,171       1,928,901  
                 
Revenues - Recognized Over a Period of Time:                
Network and other fees     354,623       351,440  
Total Revenues - Recognized Over a Period of Time     354,623       351,440  
                 
Total Revenue Under ASC 606   $ 2,736,794     $ 2,280,341  

 

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. A receivable is recorded when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $484,508 related to contract liabilities where performance obligations have not yet been satisfied, which has been included within deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019. The Company expects to satisfy its remaining performance obligations for network fees, warranty revenue, and product sales and recognize the revenue within the next twelve months.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized $190,860 of revenues related to network fees and warranty contracts, which was included in deferred revenues as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized $324,956 of revenues related to network fees and warranty contracts, which was included in deferred revenues as of December 31, 2017.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods.

 

Grants, rebates and alternative fuel credits, which are not within the scope of ASC 606, pertaining to revenues and periodic expenses are recognized as income when the related revenue and/or periodic expense are recorded. Grants and rebates related to EV charging stations and their installation are deferred and amortized in a manner consistent with the related depreciation expense of the related asset over their useful lives over the useful life of the charging station. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded $22,396 and $74,776, respectively, related to grant and rebate revenue. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was $83,670 and $106,066, respectively, of deferred grant and rebate revenue to be amortized. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized $123,446 and $331,120, respectively, of revenue related to alternative fuel credits, which is included within other revenue on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

CONCENTRATIONS

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, accounts receivable from a significant customer were approximately 10% and 35%, respectively, of total accounts receivable. During the year ended December 31, 2019, sales to significant customer represented 11% of product sales.

 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and then is recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. The Company computes the fair value of equity-classified warrants and options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

LEASES

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at commencement date. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company provides charging services at designated locations on the hosts property at which the charging station is situated. In consideration thereof, the host shares in the monthly revenue generated by the charging station on percentage basis. As the charging station monthly revenue generated is variable, the host’s monthly revenue derived there from is similarly variable. In accordance with ASC 842 the hosts’ portion of revenue is variable and not predicated on an index or rate, as defined, these payments are not within the scope ASC 842.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, since it is more likely than not that the future tax benefit on such temporary differences will not be realized.

 

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain income tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement by examining taxing authorities. The Company has open tax years going back to 2014 (or the tax year ended December 31, 2011 if the Company were to utilize its NOLs) which will be subject to audit by federal and state authorities upon filing. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain income tax positions in interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

 

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the common share equivalents had been issued (computed using the treasury stock or if converted method), if dilutive.

 

The following common share equivalents are excluded from the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

    For the Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2019     2018  
Convertible preferred stock     1,642,628       1,647,756  
Warrants     6,840,049       6,837,061  
Options     265,550       109,546  
Total potentially dilutive shares     8,748,227       8,594,363  

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.

 

RECLASSIFICATIONS

 

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) and also issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, and ASU 2019-05 (collectively, “Topic 326”). Topic 326 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The Company will be required to adopt this ASU for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years . The adoption of Topic 326 is not expected to have a material on the Company’s financial statements and financial statement disclosures.

 

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASU 2019-04”). The new ASU provides narrow-scope amendments to help apply these recent standards. The Company will be required to adopt the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted for certain amendments. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material on the Company’s financial statements and financial statement disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of this ASU effective January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 (“ASU 2018-18”), which clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, ASU 2018-18 precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, (1) for public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) for all other entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2019-10”). ASU 2019-10 (i) provides a framework to stagger effective dates for future major accounting standards and (ii) amends the effective dates for certain major new accounting standards to give implementation relief to certain types of entities. Specifically, ASU 2019-10 changes some effective dates for certain new standards on the following topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC): (a) Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) – now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021; (b) Leases (ASC 842) - now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021; (c) Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (ASC 326) - now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years; and (d) Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (ASC 350) - now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted certain provisions which have become effective during fiscal 2020 within ASU 2019-10 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and financial statement disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting the remaining new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“ASU 2019-11”). ASU 2019-11 is an accounting pronouncement that amends ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments update guidance on reporting credit losses for financial assets. These amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may adopt the amendments through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2019-11 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements and financial statement disclosures.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.