Coping with a Defunct Charger Firm
In October, Enel X Means North America introduced that it will stop its operations, leaving the corporate’s JuiceBox EV charger customers lower 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 may search a long-term resolution (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 Means 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 essential to make a sound plan for long-term success to protect in opposition to the danger and risk that Enel X Means servers will shut down completely.
Listed here 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 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 aren’t.
Many customers will probably be tempted by these CSMS supplier claims as a consequence of their low value and obvious simplicity–however they don’t seem to be with out potential pitfalls. Amongst them:
- Companion danger. What credentials and observe document does the answer supplier have? How lengthy have they been in enterprise, and may 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 potential that you just will be unable emigrate once more. If a migration is unsuccessful, you could possibly be left in a worse scenario than earlier than. Due to this fact, select a associate that gives a assure or guarantee for his or her companies.
- Hidden value. Credible software-only distributors providing migration companies will most likely require onsite personnel to replace firmware for every charger in your community. This may contain electricians or technicians working billable hours. Ensure 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 gear will probably 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 utterly–however take into account all prices first. Most gear suppliers in the marketplace cost greater than Enel X did for companies. This method is by far the costliest, requiring vital gear and labor expense along with a brand new service subscription.
3. {Hardware}-Based mostly Cost Station Administration Programs (CSMS)
The most effective of each worlds could be achieved with hardware-based CSMS options: by retrofitting current JuiceBox techniques, customers can maintain 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, person administration, monetization and reporting options that EV cost station managers want to keep up environment friendly and cost-effective operations. This method additionally affords the next advantages:
- Reliable companions. Solely a handful of EVSE suppliers supply hardware-based CSMS options, and those who do have stood the check 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 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 Degree 2 or DC quick chargers.
Because the preliminary shock wears off for JuiceBox customers, it’s essential to contemplate the entire choices for an economical, 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 permits higher management, flexibility and, above all, reliability.
