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Bluedot Debit Card: Revolutionizing EV Rewards?
August 30, 2024
Introducing Bluedot
Electric cars accounted for roughly 18% of all cars sold in 2023, up from 14% in 2022 and only 2% 5 years earlier (source: IEA.org). As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, Bluedot has emerged as a game-changer in the industry. This innovative mobile app aims to make EV ownership more appealing and accessible by offering a comprehensive financial solution tailored to the needs of EV drivers. In this blog post, we'll explore the goal behind Bluedot and why they offer such generous rewards to their users.
What is Bluedot?
Founded by Ferhat Babacan and Selinay Parlak in 2019 to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more efficient transportation system, Bluedot is a banking and rewards platform for EV owners that caters to both individual owners and fleet managers.
At the heart of their offering is the Bluedot Debit Card, which serves as a one-stop payment method for all automotive purchases, with a special focus on EV charging. Cardholders pay a flat fee of $0.30 per kilowatt hour when charging at participating EV charging stations.
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Additionally, cardholders earn:
- 20% cash back on charging network
- 5% cash back on all qualifying automotive purchases including car insurance, car wash, and parking
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
FDIC-Insured Funds through Piermont Bank Partnership
To ensure the security of user funds, Bluedot has partnered with Piermont Bank, a hybrid bank that brings together banking and agile fintechs. Piermont also issues the FutureCard Visa Debit Card and Workmade Debit Card. All funds held in Bluedot deposit accounts are FDIC-insured up to the legal limit of $250,000 per depositor, providing users with peace of mind and protection for their money.
How to Apply for the Bluedot Debit Card
Applying for Bluedot Card is a straightforward process that prioritizes user security and privacy. While users are required to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) as part of the application, this step is solely for identity verification purposes and does not involve a credit check. Bluedot welcomes all EV drivers, regardless of their credit score or history, to join their platform and start saving. To apply, just download the Bluedot mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Other Cards That Earn Rewards for EV Charging
In addition to the Bluedot Debit Card, here are a few notable options if you want to earn rewards for electric charging:
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. That's a $500 value redeemable towards travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and more.
Rewards:
- 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 4 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations and EV charging stations.
- 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), dining and on eligible streaming services.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card's 4X points per dollar spent on EV charging is a standout feature, making it one of the most rewarding credit cards for electric vehicle owners. What's great about this card is that the points you earn are straightforward and easy to understand – each point is worth one cent, which is the industry standard. This means you can easily calculate the value of your rewards without any complicated math or confusing redemption tiers.
When it comes time to redeem your points, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer cold, hard cash back, exciting travel adventures, or something else entirely, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card has got you covered. With a variety of redemption choices, you can use your rewards in a way that best suits your lifestyle and preferences. So, not only will you be earning top-notch rewards on your EV charging expenses, but you'll also have the flexibility to use those rewards in a way that truly benefits you.
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $0.
Sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Rewards:
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice, from a list (including EV charging stations).
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
With the, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can pinpoint the categories that really supercharge your earnings.
Here's the lowdown:
Pick EV charging stations as your top cashback category, and you'll earn 3% back each quarter. The catch? There's a $2,500 spending cap across your 3% and 2% categories combined.
Now, if you're part of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, you can increase your cash back to 5.25% on your EV charging! In the Kudos app, you can customize your rewards earning if you're a Preferred Rewards earning to ensure you're maximizing your return on spending.
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PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Annual fee: $0.
Sign-up bonus: 15,000 points after $1,500 spend during first 3 months of card open date.
Rewards:
- 5 points per $1 spent on gas at the pump and EV charging stations.
- 3 points per $1 spent on supermarket purchases (including most Target and Walmart locations), restaurants and dining, plus TV, radio, cable and streaming services.
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
While the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers an impressive 5X points per $1 spent on EV charging, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before applying. To get your hands on this card, you'll need to become a member of PenFed Credit Union. Don't worry, though – joining is relatively easy, but it does require a few extra steps compared to applying for a traditional credit card.
Another thing to consider is that the value of your hard-earned points can vary depending on how you choose to redeem them. Unfortunately, cash back isn't on the menu with this card. However, if you're a frequent traveler or enjoy gift cards, you'll be pleased to know that these redemption options are available. Just keep in mind that the actual value of your points may fluctuate based on your redemption choice.
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The Ultimate Solution for EV Owners?
With its generous rewards - especially for a debit card - along with comprehensive financial management tools and commitment to increasing EV adoption, Bluedot is the perfect solution for EV drivers looking to save money and simplify their ownership experience. By downloading the Bluedot app and signing up for the Bluedot Debit Card, users can unlock a world of benefits and join a growing community of like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable transportation.From a logistics perspective, the Bluedot app eliminates the need for multiple charging apps, which allows users to easily locate stations and pay directly for charges with partner charging companies.
Conclusion
Bluedot's mission to revolutionize EV ownership through rewards and innovative financial solutions shows its commitment to a greener future. By making EV adoption more appealing and accessible, Bluedot is not only helping individuals save money but also contributing to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. If you're an EV owner looking to maximize your savings and simplify your financial management, you should give Bluedot - or these other card offerings - a look!
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