Numerous home charging companies have popped up in the last few years as EV adoption has grown. One of those companies was Enel X which sold a line of home EV chargers. Now its customers are left scrambling as the company is shutting down.
Enel X, maker of the Juicebox line of EV chargers, announced that the company will be ceasing its U.S. and Canadian operations on October 11, PC Magazine reports. The company’s U.S. site no longer lists any products and just the message of its closure. All that exists is a message that reads: “After careful consideration, Enel X Way North America has decided to close its electric mobility business in the US and Canada.”
As for the reason the company is shutting down, Enel X cites a changing “business strategy”
Enel X cites a change in its strategy to focus on countries where the company also operates “an electricity retail business,” which it does not in the US or Canada. It also says “the dynamics of the EV market in the US have changed quite a lot in the last year,” with slower growth and high interest rates.”
It seems Enel X is leaving its customers out to dry. The company says that while the chargers themselves will still work, the software, app and customer tech support will no longer exist. It’s even worse for Juicebox commercial chargers; with the software going away, these chargers will simply not work anymore. This has created a mess for both retail and commercial customers.
A Juicebox owner on a Kia EV owners forum said they’re not sure what they’re going to do. “I have two JuiceBox 40 chargers. I am shocked that my purchase will not only not have any support, but most of the valued features will be gone.” Over on Rivian forums, one user said their municipality uses Juicebox commercial chargers, which are useless now. Then there’s the retail inventory that’s left.
Retailers like Home Depot, which sell JuiceBox chargers, may also be sitting on a pile of useless inventory. Home Depot has removed the listing from its site, as has utility company ComEd. On Amazon, one listing is still live, with a note that says three are left in stock.
Enel X says a third party will be handling customer communications and “the remaining obligations.” So if you’re a Juicebox charger user, you’re pretty much on your own.