Coping with a Defunct Charger Firm
In October, Enel X Manner 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 energetic, the corporate maintains that they are going to search a long-term answer (but to be disclosed).
Though this information just isn’t precisely reassuring to these with JuiceBox cost stations, it means that there’s nonetheless time emigrate Enel X Manner 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 vital to make a sound plan for long-term success to protect in opposition to the chance and risk that Enel X Manner 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 because the information of Enel X’s withdrawal from the North American market. The businesses behind them are making varied claims about their means 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 should not.
Many customers can be tempted by these CSMS supplier claims attributable to 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 make certain they are going to be there to assist 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 just will be unable emigrate once more. If a migration is unsuccessful, you can be left in a worse state of affairs 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 most likely 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, aside from a brand new SaaS subscription, earlier than going this route.
- Stability. OCPP platform migration might lead to new quirks and undesirable behaviors. Your gear can be operating experimental, probably unstable firmware, related to a third-party server by way of Wi-Fi, with no official customer support accessible.
2. Rip and Substitute
For some organizations, it could be well worth the time and expense of tearing out their Enel X gear and changing it fully–however contemplate all prices first. Most gear suppliers in the marketplace cost greater than Enel X did for providers. This strategy is by far the costliest, requiring important gear and labor expense along with a brand new service subscription.
3. {Hardware}-Primarily based Cost Station Administration Methods (CSMS)
The perfect of each worlds could be achieved with hardware-based CSMS options: by retrofitting present JuiceBox techniques, 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 take care of environment friendly and cost-effective operations. This strategy additionally presents the next advantages:
- Reliable companions. Solely a handful of EVSE suppliers provide hardware-based CSMS options, and those 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 manage 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 interchange a JuiceBox or every other system, you are able to do so with out altering the way you handle your charging system. As a bonus, you may add extra chargers of any kind, whether or not Stage 2 or DC quick chargers.
Because the preliminary shock wears off for JuiceBox customers, it’s vital to contemplate all the 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 completely changing techniques, however retrofitting JuiceBox techniques to a hardware-based CSMS allows higher management, flexibility and, above all, reliability.
