Posted by BeauHD from the left-high-and-dry dept.
New submitter ae4ax writes: North American buyers of JuiceBox EVSEs (chargers) received an email today declaring the imminent closure of Enel X Way USA, LLC, the maintainers of the software infrastructure behind their EVSEs. Customer support has already shut down, and apps will be deactivated and removed by October 11, 2024. The company claims economic headwinds from lackluster EV sales and high interest rates as the motivation for the closure. Enel X Way properties outside North America are not affected, they say. “An experienced third-party firm will be appointed to manage the company’s affairs and ensure that the closure is handled with the utmost care and professionalism,” the company said in a statement. “The appointed firm will be responsible for managing the remaining obligations and communicating directly with customers and partners regarding the closure.”
Customers will still be able to charge vehicles but all their connectivity features — the Enel X Way app and all other Enel e-mobility apps in North America — will stop working. Commercial charging stations will also lose functionality. “So If you own a JuiceBox, you just got nine days’ warning that your home charger can no longer be configured,” reports Electrek.
Electrek’s Michael Bower, who uses a JuiceBox to charge his Chevy Bolt, said: “I’m disappointed that Enel X Way is removing their apps — and thus the ability to change the amperage — for their EVSEs. I live in a condo with a 100A panel, so the ability to lower the amperage from 40 to 32 or 16 was beneficial when charging my EV while drawing power for laundry or the central A/C in the summer. It just shows how ‘smart’ EVSEs are too reliant on their respective apps.”
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