EVOlution App/Charging Station
Date: September 2024 - December 2024
Tags: User Interviews, Expert Interviews, User Testing, App Design, HCI, Competitor Analysis, UI Design, Notion, Figma
App: EVOlution App
Figma: EVOlution Report
Evo offers a unique solution to the challenges EV users face, particularly in terms of charging convenience. By allowing users to reserve charging spots and manage their charging times through a mobile app, Evo addresses key issues related to availability, cost, and flexibility. Evo has the potential to help influence more people to transition to electric vehicles by addressing common barriers.
Overview 🧭
As the world transitions to more sustainable transport, electric vehicles (EVs) are a critical part of the future. However, adoption still lags due to charging frustrations, range anxiety, and infrastructure gaps. This case study explores how a smart charging platform can remove key friction points in the EV user journey.
Challenge 🚗
How might we encourage more people to drive EVs?
EV adoption is hindered not just by cost or access, but by the inconvenient charging experience. Our goal was to design a solution that makes charging as seamless, predictable, and stress-free as refueling a gas vehicle.
Discovery 🔍
Storyboard 📖
“A driver pulls into a crowded station on a long trip. Every charger is occupied. They wait 90 minutes before starting to charge. Their range anxiety grows.”
This common scenario revealed emotional pain points: unpredictability, long waits, and dissatisfaction.
Mindmap 🧠
We identified key stakeholders like EV drivers, mechanics, salespeople, city planners, and utility companies. Our user segments included:
Current EV drivers
Potential adopters
EV skeptics
People with limited access to EVs
Interviews 🎤
We spoke with:
🚙 EV Drivers – want faster, more predictable charging
🔧 Mechanic – highlighted maintenance myths
🧑🔬 EV Expert – emphasized infrastructure gaps
🚗 Gas Car Owners – worried about range and charging delays
🚘 Salesperson – noted lack of customer education
🛡️ Insurance Agent – explained premium confusion
Define 📝
User Journey 👣
Goals 🎯
Convenient charging (like gas stations)
Safe and stress-free travel
Predictable pricing
Pain Points 😩
Inconsistent access
Long queues
Limited battery range
Needs 🧩
Better infrastructure
Real-time availability data
Reservation capability
Existing Solutions 🔧
🔋 Solid-state battery R&D
♻️ Battery swapping
☀️ Solar charging stations
💰 Government incentives
Constraints 🚫
10-year rollout target
Existing tech and regulatory limits
Budget and scalability for cities/businesses
Ideate 💡
Brainstorming 🧠
Sketching ✏️
Idea Selection 🎯
We focused on solving:
🔌 Long queues
⏱️ Waiting uncertainty
📍 Route planning stress
Our Concept: Smart EV Charging Platform ✅
Key Features:
📅 Reserve charging spots in advance
🧾 Transparent pricing (holding/admin fees)
📊 Live queue and availability data
⏲️ Dynamic pricing by urgency or time of day
Design 🛠️
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes 🧱
Hi-Fidelity Mockups 🎨
Map screen: Shows nearby chargers with color-coded availability
Reservation screen: Time slot picker, price preview
Charging dashboard: Progress tracker, estimated completion
Flow Demos 🎞️
Design System 🧩
Logo: Clean, energy-inspired
Color Palette: Greens, dark blue, light neutrals
Typography: Modern sans-serif
Icons: Energy bolts, map pins, time indicators
Navigation: Bottom modal, search bar, profile icon, map
Evaluation 🧪
Expert Feedback 👥
Hotel Manager:
Motivated by added value for guests
Asked about installation and pricing models
Urban Planner:
Needed budget and maintenance clarity
Valued location heatmaps and equitable access
Task Scenarios 👨🔬
Anna is a new EV driver planning a road trip and wants to ensure she won’t run into unexpected charging delays. Anna needs to find a nearby charging station along their route, and check its real-time availability before deciding to stop there.
Todd, a busy commuter, has limited time after work and wants to avoid waiting in line to charge their vehicle. Todd needs to reserve a charging spot in advance and confirm the total cost before heading to the station.
Zay is a budget-conscious driver looking to save money on charging during a flexible weekend trip. They want to explore pricing options and adjust their charging preferences in the app to select a more affordable off-peak time slot.
Metrics 📊
We would measure success by:
🚦 Reduction in wait times
💵 Cost savings for users
⚡ Increased off-peak charging
🧭 Drop in range anxiety reports
📈 Increased app adoption among new EV owners
Next Steps 🔮
Add cancellation/refund options to reservation
Explore gamified rewards for energy-efficient behavior
Build home charging assistant to extend value
Partner with hotels, malls, and cities to scale charger access
Final Thoughts 💬
EV adoption isn’t just about tech — it’s about removing uncertainty. By giving users control over charging, we ease the transition and make driving electric a better experience for everyone.