NLX Shuts Down EV Charging Operations in North America: What It Means for Customers

NLX Announces Sudden Closure of North American Operations

In a shocking announcement, NLX sent emails to all its customers and stakeholders informing them that they were shutting down business operations in North America completely. This means turning off their servers, abandoning their customers, and leaving them with equipment that either doesn't work, won't have app functionality, or is essentially useless in parking lots.

The announcement came less than 24 hours ago, and the industry is still trying to digest the ramifications. Many customers have reached out asking if they'll be able to use their NLX JuiceBox chargers or what to do about non-functional DC fast chargers on their property.

History of NLX and the JuiceBox Charger

The story of NLX in North America begins with eMotorWorks, founded by Valery Miftakhov in 2013. eMotorWorks created the JuiceBox, the first Wi-Fi connected smart electric vehicle charger on the market. At the time, most EV chargers were "dumb" units without connectivity or smart features.

In 2017, NLX, the largest private utility in Italy, acquired eMotorWorks. They redesigned the JuiceBox, improving some aspects but also making changes that led to customer complaints about app functionality.

NLX expanded into public charging equipment as well, offering both AC and DC fast charging options in North America. However, their footprint in the DC fast charging market remained relatively small compared to other networks.

The Sudden Shutdown

NLX's email to stakeholders cited several reasons for the closure:

1. Alignment with NLX Group's strategy to focus on bundled charging offers for electricity customers
2. Lack of a retail electricity customer base in North America
3. Changing dynamics in the US EV market
4. Impact of high interest rates on scaling charging infrastructure
5. Uncertainty and unmet EV sales growth expectations

The company stated that residential JuiceBox chargers will retain physical charging ability but lose all software functionality. Commercial charging stations will lose functionality entirely without software continuity.

Implications for Customers

The sudden shutdown has significant implications for NLX customers:

• Residential JuiceBox owners: Chargers will still work but without app functionality, scheduling, or data tracking
• Commercial charger owners: DC fast chargers and commercial AC chargers will be non-functional
• Utility demand response programs: Uncertain future for customers participating in these programs through NLX equipment

Industry Expert Perspective

To gain more insight into the situation, we spoke with Gleb Nikiforov, CEO of United Chargers (makers of the Grizzl-E charging line). Nikiforov highlighted several key points:

1. The importance of open standards: Many US chargers use proprietary software, making it difficult for third parties to take over operations if a company shuts down.
2. The value of true OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) compliance: Chargers that are OCPP-compliant at the hardware level can be more easily transitioned to new backend systems.
3. The potential for industry-wide impact: If larger players like ChargePoint were to follow suit, it could have devastating effects on the EV charging infrastructure.
4. The need for better practices: Nikiforov suggests that all chargers, especially commercial ones, should be hardwired OCPP-enabled to prevent similar situations in the future.

Potential Solutions and Next Steps

While the situation looks bleak, there may be some hope for affected customers:

1. Third-party intervention: Companies like ChargePoint and Epic are exploring ways to bring some NLX chargers back online, particularly those using third-party hardware.
2. Potential for open-source solutions: Nikiforov suggested that NLX could potentially open up their servers or protocols to allow third parties to maintain functionality.
3. Legislative action: This incident may spark discussions about requiring OCPP compliance for EV charging equipment in the future.

Lessons for the Industry and Consumers

The NLX shutdown serves as a wake-up call for both the EV charging industry and consumers:

1. The importance of open standards and interoperability
2. The need for contingency plans in case of sudden business closures
3. The value of hardware-level OCPP compliance in charging equipment
4. The potential risks of relying on proprietary systems for critical infrastructure

Conclusion

The abrupt closure of NLX's North American operations has sent shockwaves through the EV charging industry. While residential customers may still be able to use their JuiceBox chargers as "dumb" units, commercial customers face significant challenges with non-functional equipment.

As the situation develops, it's crucial for affected customers to stay informed about potential solutions. The industry as a whole must learn from this event and work towards more resilient, open standards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

For now, NLX customers should hold off on making hasty decisions and wait for more information to emerge. The coming weeks may bring news of potential partnerships or solutions to restore functionality to affected charging equipment.

This event serves as a reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls in the rapidly evolving EV charging landscape. As the industry matures, it's likely we'll see increased focus on interoperability, open standards, and measures to protect consumers and businesses from sudden disruptions in service.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/jF4J0bl116s?feature=shared