Some performance questions about polycount

I have take a look at instancing and i understand what you mean. I also can merge them into bigger meshes. I also dont need any collisions or cast shadows, but the only thing whats not clear for me is… how can i make them blinking in an ordering way (running light) ? If the instances got all the same material - then i see the only way to animate them by playing with the UVs or do i have some other ways? Because they shouldnt blink all together at the same time. I.e. only every 3-4 lamps blink, the rest dont…