Coping with a Defunct Charger Firm
In October, Enel X Method North America introduced that it might 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 resolution (but to be disclosed).
Though this information will not 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 danger 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 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 firms 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 as a consequence of their low price and obvious simplicity–however they aren’t with out potential pitfalls. Amongst them:
- Accomplice threat. What credentials and monitor report 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 potential that you just won’t be able emigrate once more. If a migration is unsuccessful, you might be left in a worse scenario than earlier than. Due to this fact, select a companion that gives a assure or guarantee for his or her providers.
- Hidden price. 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. Be certain you perceive what’s concerned in migration, aside from a brand new SaaS subscription, earlier than going this route.
- Stability. OCPP platform migration may end in new quirks and undesirable behaviors. Your tools can be operating experimental, probably unstable firmware, related to a third-party server by way of Wi-Fi, with no official customer support out there.
2. Rip and Change
For some organizations, it could be well worth the time and expense of tearing out their Enel X tools and changing it fully–however take into account all prices first. Most tools suppliers available on the market cost greater than Enel X did for providers. This method is by far the costliest, requiring vital tools and labor expense along with a brand new service subscription.
3. {Hardware}-Based mostly Cost Station Administration Techniques (CSMS)
The most effective of each worlds may be achieved with hardware-based CSMS options: by retrofitting current JuiceBox techniques, customers can hold 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 method additionally affords the next advantages:
- Reliable companions. Solely a handful of EVSE suppliers provide 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 price construction. Most hardware-based CSMS options are tailor-made to workplaces and multi-unit flats, 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 exchange 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 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 necessary to contemplate the entire choices for a cheap, long-term plan for sustaining cost station operations. The cons are likely to outweigh the professionals of migrating to cloud platforms, or solely changing techniques, however retrofitting JuiceBox techniques to a hardware-based CSMS permits higher management, flexibility and, above all, reliability.
The submit Deserted No Extra: 3 Choices for Enel X Method Cost Station Operators first appeared on Clear Fleet Report.
