If you own a Juicebox charger, you’ve probably heard the news: Enel X Way is pulling out of North America, and with that move, ending all support and software products for their Juicebox chargers. While your Juicebox will still charge your electric vehicle, it’s about to lose all of its smart capabilities, and features like charge scheduling, Wi-Fi connectivity, and charger control via the mobile app will no longer work.
What features are Juicebox customers losing?
What does this news actually mean for Juicebox customers? The details are still a little murky, but we do have some information.
Perhaps most importantly, support for all Juicebox software and apps is discontinued starting October 11, 2024, which means scheduling charging times through the Juicebox platform no longer works. This is important if your utility has variable electric rates like time of use plans – scheduling your charger to charge your EV during off-peak (lower cost) times is one of the main ways smart EV chargers can save you money. Juicebox chargers no longer have that functionality.
Software and app support going down also means that you won’t be able to change any settings (like maximum charging output) on your Juicebox charger anymore. This could be a serious problem if you’re set up to charge at a lower output for safety reasons, as a charger reverting to higher charging output could potentially trip your circuit breaker and poses a fire risk.
If you are enrolled in any utility programs that communicate with your Juicebox EV charger and provide you some benefit in exchange, you may not be able to fully participate in that program anymore, and thus you may not receive the financial benefits. It’s still unclear what’s going to happen with these utility programs, and in some cases your “dumb” charger will be just fine with your utility provider.
Lastly, repairs and warranty coverage is an open question. Enel X has made statements about appointing a third party to manage these types of problems for Juicebox customers, but it’s unclear what that means exactly. In a worst-case scenario, customers could be left completely without hardware support and coverage for Juicebox EV chargers.
For more details and up-to-date information about Enel X pulling out of North America, you can check out Consumer Reports’ article.
All in all, this news is a blow to many EV owners who relied on the smart features of their Juicebox for more efficient and convenient charging. However, there’s no need to settle for a less functional charger.
Looking for a Smart Level 2 Charging Replacement?
Don’t let the shutdown of Enel X leave you with a limited EV charger. If you need a smarter way to charge your EV at home, Emporia’s Level 2 Smart EV Charger is the perfect solution. It offers all of the smart features you’ll need to manage your EV charging, like smart scheduling for maximum savings and robust controls within Emporia’s mobile app. What’s more, you can install the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor in your electrical panel to unlock even more smart EV charging capabilities like excess solar charging.
If you’re unsure what this shutdown means for you or whether you actually need a replacement charger, feel free to reach out to us. Our team of charging experts is here to guide you through whatever questions you have, whether you want to keep your charger for basic use, upgrade to a new smart charging experience with Emporia, or just don’t know which way to go. We’re here to help.
Why Emporia?
Emporia’s EV charger gives you full control over your home EV charging with energy-saving features that can help lower your bills. Plus, our commitment to sustainability means you’re not just charging smarter—you’re helping the planet.
