The recent exit of Enel X from the North American market has left many commercial and residential customers with stranded EV charging hardware. In the wake of this announcement, some software companies have emerged to offer a supposed solution: migrating existing Enel X (JuiceBox) chargers to a new Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) firmware. However, we urge caution when considering this option, as there are significant risks involved with this migration that customers should be aware of.

The Pittfalls of Firmware Migration: 

While on the surface it may seem like a straightforward way to salvage the equipment, converting Enel X chargers to OCPP firmware comes with substantial concerns. Industry experts have described the current firmware as “unstable at best,” with no future support or development guaranteed. This means that if a customer decides to migrate to the new firmware and encounters any issues, such as software bugs or connectivity problems with third-party OCPP platforms, they will have no recourse for technical support or firmware updates. Ultimately, this could leave them in the same situation they are currently facing: possessing non-functional hardware with no path to restoration.

At Electric Avenue, we believe that merely re-flashing firmware without comprehensive support is a temporary fix that puts the customer’s investment at risk. We stand by our commitment to providing not just hardware but reliable, future-proof solutions that include continuous support and long-term stability.

Our Solution: Free Replacement Hardware with a Sustainable Approach:

To help alleviate the challenges that abandoned Enel X customers are facing, we are offering a straightforward and sustainable option: free replacement hardware with the purchase of a five-year software subscription to our platform. Our offer ensures that customers can continue their EV charging operations with full confidence, backed by hardware that is supported, maintained, and future-proofed for the long term.

However, we also understand that this solution goes beyond the bottom line. Environmental sustainability is core to our business and the EV industry’s mission. Abandoning or trashing thousands of EV chargers is wasteful, both economically and environmentally. That is why, as part of our commitment to sustainability, we are taking an additional step to upcycle the old hardware.

In addition to our hardware replacement program, Electric Avenue is also offering an OCPP migration package for existing Enel X customers. However, we want to emphasize that this migration path comes with certain risks. While migrating to OCPP firmware may seem like a viable option for continuing use of existing hardware, it may not offer the long-term reliability that customers need. Issues such as unstable firmware, lack of ongoing support, and potential incompatibility with future updates or platforms can put your charging network at risk. A full replacement, on the other hand, ensures your charging setup remains fully functional and supported as Enel X exits the North American market, providing peace of mind and long-term stability.

Breathing Life into New Chargers:

For customers who choose to accept our free replacement offer, we will repurpose the old Enel X chargers into what we call “dumb chargers” or “plug-and-charge” units. By converting these chargers for residential use without the need for complex software networks, we can ensure that they still serve a purpose rather than ending up as e-waste. These simplified chargers will then be offered to the market for free or at an extreme discount, promoting accessible, low-cost charging options and maximizing the utility of otherwise obsolete hardware.

A Call for Sustainable and Future-Proof EV Charging

Our approach aligns with the overarching goals of the EV industry: to promote sustainability, reliability, and consumer confidence. Quick fixes, like unstable firmware migrations without support, do not solve the long-term needs of site hosts and EV drivers. We believe that the responsible way forward is to provide comprehensive solutions that balance environmental concerns, user reliability, and market sustainability.

To those affected by the Enel X exit or considering migrating to OCPP firmware, we encourage you to explore long-term solutions that offer stable, supported hardware and software—because a quick patch today can lead to bigger problems tomorrow. Let’s work together to create a resilient and sustainable EV charging network for the future. 

Mark MacDonald
President, Electric Avenue Manufacturing Inc.

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