ChargeLab offers solution for Enel X Way’s commercial charger shutdown

Enel X Way has announced the closure of its electric vehicle (EV) charging business in the United States and Canada, effective October 11, 2024. The company will no longer provide support for its residential JuiceBox chargers, which will lose their smart functionalities and revert to basic, non-connected home chargers. Furthermore, Enel X Way’s commercial chargers will cease to function entirely without continued software support.

ChargeLab, a company specializing in backend management software for EV charging networks, has announced a solution for affected commercial site hosts in North America. ChargeLab is offering to take over the management of compatible commercial chargers impacted by the shutdown of Enel X Way’s software services. Site hosts are advised to contact ChargeLab to explore migration options before Enel X Way’s servers are permanently deactivated.

JuiceBox chargers were originally developed by eMotorWerks, a California-based startup, and launched in 2013. In 2017, eMotorWerks was acquired by Enel S.p.A., an Italian multinational utility company. JuiceBox was integrated into Enel’s subsidiary, which was eventually rebranded as Enel X and, later, Enel X Way. Enel’s decision to exit the North American market is reportedly part of a strategy to refocus its EV charging efforts on countries where it maintains an electricity retail business, primarily in Europe.

ChargeLab, which does not manufacture EV chargers but provides software to manage them, has confirmed that it has been preparing for this scenario. The company has been testing its software with Enel X Way chargers in recent months, anticipating a possible shutdown. ChargeLab’s software is compatible with over 100 different EV charger models from various manufacturers, including ABB, Eaton, EVBox, and Wallbox, among others.

Shaun Stewart, President of ChargeLab, acknowledged the challenges that commercial site hosts face with the short notice provided by Enel X Way. He emphasized that ChargeLab is prioritizing support for these customers and urged them to contact the company to facilitate a seamless transition. While migrating a charging network may present challenges, especially concerning firmware compatibility, ChargeLab aims to ensure that site hosts can continue offering EV charging services.

For residential users of JuiceBox chargers, ChargeLab has concluded that migration is not feasible due to the complexities involved. The company recommends that utilities and aggregators remove JuiceBox chargers from their list of approved devices for residential energy programs such as time-of-use (TOU) and demand response.

Despite Enel X Way’s exit from North America, the broader trend of EV adoption remains strong across the region. ChargeLab and other solution providers aim to support the continued growth of reliable, scalable EV charging infrastructure.