EVs and software dependencies

[id10t]

From slashdot - https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/24/10/03/0230216/enel-x-ways-juicebox-ev-chargers-about-to-lose-all-connectivity-features

North American buyers of JuiceBox EVSEs (chargers) received an email today declaring the imminent closure of Enel X Way USA, LLC, the maintainers of the software infrastructure behind their EVSEs. Customer support has already shut down, and apps will be deactivated and removed by October 11, 2024. The company claims economic headwinds from lackluster EV sales and high interest rates as the motivation for the closure. Enel X Way properties outside North America are not affected, they say.
"An experienced third-party firm will be appointed to manage the company's affairs and ensure that the closure is handled with the utmost care and professionalism," the company said in a statement. "The appointed firm will be responsible for managing the remaining obligations and communicating directly with customers and partners regarding the closure."

Customers will still be able to charge vehicles but all their connectivity features -- the Enel X Way app and all other Enel e-mobility apps in North America -- will stop working. Commercial charging stations will also lose functionality. "So If you own a JuiceBox, you just got nine days' warning that your home charger can no longer be configured," reports Electrek.

Electrek's Michael Bower, who uses a JuiceBox to charge his Chevy Bolt, said: "I'm disappointed that Enel X Way is removing their apps -- and thus the ability to change the amperage -- for their EVSEs. I live in a condo with a 100A panel, so the ability to lower the amperage from 40 to 32 or 16 was beneficial when charging my EV while drawing power for laundry or the central A/C in the summer. It just shows how 'smart' EVSEs are too reliant on their respective apps."

[john70t]

Besides that...
a lack of plug standardization, battery size and attachment, and no recycling program for EV batteries.

[wdfifteen]

It's kind of redundant to make EV power supplies "smart" anyway, as the charger in the car is perfectly capable of managing the charging process.
As to commercial power supplies that require some kind of app to activate them, they are a stupid idea in the first place. You don't need an app to operate a gas pump, why require an app to operate a charging station? The problem isn't limited to EV power supplies. Many "smart" devices have sketchy apps and sketchy companies behind the apps. Fortunately most of them can default to operating as "dumb" devices. In my home my HVAC thermostats, the robot vacuum, our Ooler bed cooler, etc are all supposedly "smart" but the apps are so hard to operate or connectivity is so bad I use them all in "dumb" mode. My EVSE has always been just "dumb" and it works just fine.

[berettafan]

eggs and baskets and such.

[rwest]

All it takes is for the cell phone manufacturer to upgrade the operating system and the app developer not to update their app software to work on the new OS and you have a worthless app.

I would never buy something important that depended on an app to run it.

[red-beard]

There are a lot of industries that are like this. Solar is notorious for "going out of business" with no support.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

. You don't need an app to operate a gas pump, why require an app to operate a charging station?

Because we live in a 'connected' brave new world.

This year I spent money on a brand new electric bicycle finally. A first.
Middle-lower end of the bicycle price-point spectrum with many bonuses added to the sale.
750W for hills and my knees are no longer locked up after a ride for a few days afterwards.

Somewhat happy with it.

It has brake lights.
It has turn signals for safety.
The frame-wired front lights? That requires a smart phone app...but I don't have a smart phone...