Enel X Way North America is set to shutter its electric mobility business in the United States and Canada, pulling the plug on its subsidiary Enel X Way USA's operations beginning October 11. JuiceBox's official statement reported that the shutdown includes ceasing customer support and discontinuing all Enel X Way software. This decision directly affects the functionality of commercial charging stations and the user experience for residential charging hardware owners.
Owners of JuiceBox chargers will soon find their devices stripped of smart features as the associated Enel X Way App, which allows for monitoring and scheduling of charging, is set to be removed from the App Store. Meanwhile, according to The Verge, the chargers themselves will retain the basic ability to recharge electric vehicles. The app's closure is part of a broader sweep by Enel Group to align with its strategic focus on bundling offers with its electricity operations, targeting countries where it already possesses a retail electricity customer base.
The withdrawal from the North American market by Enel Group highlights a challenging business climate characterized by high interest rates and a reassessing of previously anticipated EV market growth. The financial landscape has increased costs for scaling charging infrastructure, mounting uncertainties, and a pivot for the Enel Group to other regions and projects. An experienced third-party firm is set to manage the closure and will oversee all remaining company affairs, offering communication with customers and partners concerning transitionary details.