Enel X Way North America gives its customers an 11th-hour lifeline

By theamericannews
3 hours Ago

Enel X Way North America gives its customers an 11th-hour lifeline

Photo: Enel X Way North America

Enel X Way North America’s EV chargers will continue to operate with software connectivity beyond today – here’s what we know.

Enel X Way North America keeps the lights on

On October 2, Enel X Way North America announced that it was shutting down its residential and commercial EV charger business in the US and Canada, effective October 11, 2024.

Enel X Way USA, which operates Enel X Way North America, said that a third-party firm, which we now know is financial services provider B. Riley Advisory Services, will be appointed to manage the company’s remaining obligations and communicate directly with customers and partners regarding the shutdown.

While the company’s previous plan was to just leave North America and leave its customers high and dry, it now has a better plan.

Existing JuiceBox and Enel X Way USA LLC customers and clients will still be able to use their software and mobile applications for an extended period. However, there won’t be any customer service.

In the meantime, this “interim measure” will enable B. Riley Advisory Services to “seek a long-term solution for the EV charging platform, with the ultimate goal of maintaining operational continuity for Enel X Way USA customers.”

It’s going to hold a Customer Management Auction, and customers will be transitioned to the winning software provider. Qualified bids will be accepted until October 22 at this website.

Here’s what’s up for bid:

Transfer of Customer Management and Implement a new SaaS for Residential Customers (120,000 +/- currently).

Transfer of Customer Management and Implement a new SaaS for Commercial Customers (25,000 +/- currently).

Bulk Purchase of 17,000 +/- EV Chargers (without SaaS)

An auction of miscellaneous Corporate Assets.

Electrek’s Take

This is a much better path to take than completely abandoning one’s customers. If I was a business or a residential owner of Enel X Way North America EV chargers, I’d be very relieved. I’d just hope nothing went wrong with my chargers until someone took over the management of their software, seeing how there was no customer service.

I’m going to assume Enel X Way didn’t just find its conscience all by itself. Only yesterday, Consumer Reports, US PIRG, and 60 self-reported owners of JuiceBox EV chargers asked the FTC to investigate Enel X Way’s behavior. That would have been one of many complaints. The company also took Infrastructure Law grants from the federal government to install DC fast chargers. It’s not like its unprofessional departure from the North American market wasn’t going create waves. Glad it had a change of heart.