Skip to main content

Alexa and Google Home-compatible JuicePlan simplifies EV charging at home

JuicePlan, eMotorWerks’ new residential electric vehicle (EV) level 2 charging service subscription plan, is now available in parts of California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

JuicePlan, which simplifies EV home charger selection and installation, has two components: The JuiceBox Pro 40 smart home charger and JuiceNet, eMotorWerks’ smart grid charging platform. JuicePlan subscriptions start at $19 per month and include installation by a locally certified electrician. Under the new plan, there is no down payment, and the first month of the subscription is free.

Consumer confusion about EV charging at home was the impetus for JuicePlan, according to eMotorwerks.

“There’s a continued need to democratize access to electrified mobility globally. One of the barriers we’ve found to greater adoption is the selection and installation of an EV charging system at home, where the vast majority of vehicle charging takes place today,” said Valery Miftakhov, eMotorWerks CEO and founder. “Our hope is that creating a subscription option for smart charging to existing EV owners or those that are considering an electric vehicle will accelerate EV adoption in the U.S.”

The JuiceBox Pro 40 is a Wi-Fi-enabled 40AH Level 2 smart EV charging station with a 24-foot charging cable. The JuiceBox’s water- and fire-resistant case has LED indicators for power, connectivity, and charging status. The JuiceBox Pro 40 is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can use voice commands to start or stop EV charging from inside your home.

With the JuicePlan’s JuiceNet mobile app or JuiceNet online dashboard, EV owners can control and monitor charging remotely. In areas with time-of-use charging, where usage rates vary depending on usage levels during different periods, JuicePlan subscribers can schedule their EV charging to take advantage of when the rates are lowest.

The app and dashboard also support notifications for the start and end of charging, JuiceBox offline and online status, and when the EV is fully charged. In addition, owners can view real-time and historical charging data.

The price of the charger is included with the JuicePlan subscription, along with the app, dashboard, and home installation. If you’d prefer to buy the charger outright, the JuiceBox Pro 40 is available for purchase from eMotorWerks for $549. In some areas in the U.S., the purchase price includes installation by a certified electrician. By offering the JuicePlan monthly subscription service with installation included, eMotorWerks is taking the initial cost and hassle of setting up for Level 2 home charging largely out of the equation.

eMotorWerks plans to expand the JuicePlan subscription to more locations in the U.S. You can check your location or sign up to receive a notification when the plan is available in your area by filling out the eligibility form.

Bruce Brown
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro barely charge any faster than the Pixel 5
App screen on the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google appeared to have outdone the battery longevity of the already long-lasting Pixel 5 by offering bigger batteries and faster charging speeds to compensate. But an analysis done this weekend by android-focused tech blog Android Authority has found Google's Pixel charging speeds to be much more in line with older Pixels than the company would have you believe.

A test carried out by the tech publication showed that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro could only reach 22 watts at peak changing speeds -- just a little bit over the 18W you'll find on older Pixels. This means that the Pixel 6's charging time is also slower than the older Pixel 5 due to a combination of its bigger battery and its similar charging speeds. It takes the Pixel 6 just under two hours to reach a full charge, whereas the Pixel 5 would charge in a little over an hour and a half. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with a 25W charger outpaces both. You can read the reasoning in the Android Authority piece, but the short version is Google's Pixel 6 drops wired charging speeds after 50%, whereas Samsung keeps a fast charging pace up to around 85%.

Read more
Generark HomePower 2 emergency backup generator can charge EVs and much more
Generark-Solar-Generator-003

We've all felt that sense of panic when the power goes out: The house goes dark, your phone only has 3% battery, and dinner’s stopped bubbling on the stove. If a global pandemic has taught us anything anew, it’s that being prepared for emergencies and the unexpected is crucial. That's even more the case if you live in an area of the country where hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes could rip your stability apart at any moment.

Generark, which has just launched its HomePower 2 on Kickstarter, is an backup generator meant for emergency situations. This tall power tower gives you myriad ways to connect, including plugging in AC-powered devices (110 volts) and various DC outputs, including USB-A, USB-C, and a car outlet.

Read more
In America, houses charge EVs. At CES 2020, EVs charge houses
wallbox quasar bidirectional EV charger

This story is part of our continuing coverage of CES 2020, including tech and gadgets from the showroom floor.

EVs are everywhere at CES 2020, but the stations that charge them are are seldom worthy of your attention. Typically, they’re simply utilitarian plastic boxes with rubber cables trailing out of them. The best they can do is stay out of the way and quietly fuel up the real stars of the show.

Read more