Coping with a Defunct Charger Firm
In October, Enel X Method North America introduced that it could stop its operations, leaving the corporate’s JuiceBox EV charger customers minimize off from software program performance. Whereas server operations will proceed for an indeterminate interval and battery charging capabilities are nonetheless lively, the corporate maintains that they’ll search a long-term resolution (but to be disclosed).
Though this information shouldn’t be precisely reassuring to these with JuiceBox cost stations, it means that there’s nonetheless time emigrate Enel X Method JuiceBox 40 EV chargers to a brand new cost station administration system (CSMS). No charging performance has been misplaced but, however that’s solely a query of time. Given the uncertainty, it’s necessary to make a sound plan for long-term success to protect in opposition to the chance and chance that Enel X Method servers will shut down completely.
Listed below are three viable methods ahead for JuiceBox system house owners:
1. OCPP Platform Migration
Dozens of OCPP-based cost station administration platforms have come out of the woodwork for the reason that information of Enel X’s withdrawal from the North American market. The businesses behind them are making varied claims about their potential to assist determined system house owners transfer the administration of their JuiceBox chargers to a brand new cloud administration platform. A few of these corporations are genuinely ready and have processes in place to handle such a migration. However many will not be.
Many customers might be tempted by these CSMS supplier claims as a result of their low value and obvious simplicity–however they aren’t with out potential pitfalls. Amongst them:
- Associate threat. What credentials and observe file does the answer supplier have? How lengthy have they been in enterprise, and might you be sure they are going to be there to help you lengthy after you transition to their platform? In case your charger is repointed to a third-party’s OCPP server and the Enel X backend service is discontinued, it’s doable that you simply won’t be able emigrate once more. If a migration is unsuccessful, you could possibly be left in a worse scenario than earlier than. Subsequently, select a accomplice that gives a assure or guarantee for his or her providers.
- Hidden value. Credible software-only distributors providing migration providers will in all probability require onsite personnel to replace firmware for every charger in your community. It will contain electricians or technicians working billable hours. Make sure you perceive what’s concerned in migration, other than a brand new SaaS subscription, earlier than going this route.
- Stability. OCPP platform migration might lead to new quirks and undesirable behaviors. Your tools might be operating experimental, probably unstable firmware, related to a third-party server by way of Wi-Fi, with no official customer support obtainable.
2. Rip and Change
For some organizations, it could be definitely worth the time and expense of tearing out their Enel X tools and changing it fully–however contemplate all prices first. Most tools suppliers available on the market cost greater than Enel X did for providers. This method is by far the most costly, requiring important tools and labor expense along with a brand new service subscription.
3. {Hardware}-Primarily based Cost Station Administration Methods (CSMS)
The most effective of each worlds may be achieved with hardware-based CSMS options: by retrofitting current JuiceBox programs, customers can preserve the {hardware} and keep away from altering firmware of every particular person system (each pricey, time-consuming processes).
A hardware-based CSMS not solely protects your {hardware} funding, however re-enables the now-lost entry management, consumer administration, monetization and reporting options that EV cost station managers want to keep up environment friendly and cost-effective operations. This method additionally presents the next advantages:
- Reliable companions. Solely a handful of EVSE suppliers provide hardware-based CSMS options, and people who do have stood the take a look at of time. For instance, Liberty Plugins has been in enterprise since 2009.
- Approachable value construction. Most hardware-based CSMS options are tailor-made to workplaces and multi-unit residences, the place customers want to regulate entry to chargers and invoice to be used, however don’t need or must revenue from their charging.
- Versatile and upgradeable. Each EV charger has a lifespan, so when it’s time to switch a JuiceBox or some other system, you are able to do so with out altering the way you handle your charging system. As a bonus, you possibly can add extra chargers of any sort, whether or not Stage 2 or DC quick chargers.
Because the preliminary shock wears off for JuiceBox customers, it’s necessary to think about the entire choices for a cheap, long-term plan for sustaining cost station operations. The cons are inclined to outweigh the professionals of migrating to cloud platforms, or solely changing programs, however retrofitting JuiceBox programs to a hardware-based CSMS allows better management, flexibility and, above all, reliability.
