EV Infra: EV Charging Station App
EV Infra is the ultimate companion for finding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. With a user-friendly interface and robust features, ChargeFinder provides real-time information on availability, the number of available chargers, and the stations' brands, empowering you to make informed decisions for your charging needs.
My Role
Timeline
UX Design,
Visual Design,
User Research,
Prototyping
3 Months
Tools Used
Figma,
Principle
Team
2 UI/UX Designers
1 PM
2 Researchers
PROBLEM
Finding EV charging stations that match users' preferences on pricing, networks, availability, and promotions is a tedious process.
This is a common challenge for EV owners, particularly when they find themselves in unfamiliar locations. How might we create a system and improve map readability that significantly enhances the search process for users seeking particular charging stations?
FINAL SOLUTION
A more streamlined search process for locating the right charging station.
I focused on improving the map and search process that allows users to easily locate nearby charging stations and see real-time availability, know the number of available chargers at each station to plan their sessions and discover the networks.
Find Stations Near Your Location
This feature allows users to find the stations near their locations and the number of available chargers from each station. The map key shows the description of the markers, which helps users to better understand the map.
Home
Map Key
Filter Your Preferences
This feature allows users to filter the stations according to their preferences, including kilowatt ranges, connectors, station locations, and networks. Users can easily find the stations that match their interests.
Plugs
Networks
Responsive Markers
This feature allows users to zoom in and zoom out to check the available stations in the area of their interest. The markers have responsive designs to efficiently present the availability and networks according to the size of the map.
Networks
Search Specifc Stations
This feature allows users to search stations in specific areas. Users can view the location of the station in the map view or expand the list to check all the available options.
Plugs
Networks
INSIGHTS
01
help EV owners efficiently plan their charging sessions by providing information on the number of available chargers at each station?
02
cater to the brand preferences of EV owners by displaying the associated brands or providers of each charging station?
03
assist EV owners in finding recommended charging options during peak times or in areas with limited charging station availability?
How might we...
User Research
Target Users
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EV owners
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People who are planning to purchase EVs
Research Methods
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In-person interview
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Surveys
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Online research
Pain Points / Key Insights
Based on the interviews with 80 participants, I discovered pain points and key insights for designing the main features of EVInfra.
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Limited Availability: Finding a charging station with an available charging spot can be challenging, especially in high-demand areas or during peak times.
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Range Anxiety: One of the primary concerns for EV owners is running out of battery power while driving.
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Inefficient Planning: Without knowing the availability and number of chargers at a station, EV owners may waste time and energy traveling to a station only to find it occupied.
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Compatibility Issues: Different EV models require specific charger types and power levels. It can be frustrating for EV owners to find a charging station that supports their vehicle's charging requirements.
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Network Preference: Some EV owners have a preference for specific charging station networks due to factors such as prior positive experiences, membership benefits, or trust in renowned manufacturers.
By addressing these pain points, our app helps EV owners easily find charging stations that match their preferences, including availability, distance, pricing, and networks.
User Needs
Based on the online survey with 300 participants, I listed the importance of each type of information for designing the markers of app.
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of top EV charging station apps and navigation apps in Korea to design a more intuitive and user-friendly experience that aligns with users' needs and preferences.
Ideation
I brainstormed the main features for the map interactions and markers for presenting the availability, networks, and recommended stations based on users' preferences and free parking fee.
Outcome
Based on user testing and feedback provided by the potential users, I contributed to the product development process, enhancing the user experience of the product. By utilizing user satisfaction and searching time as key performance indicators (KPI), I measured the success rate of the final design.
Marker Design
Map Design
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Poor visual hierarchy
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Too many color variations of markers
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Low readability for viewing filtering options and networks
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No information of availability
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No recommendations for users
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Clear visual hierarchy
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Low color variations of markers
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High readability for the available number of plugs and filtering options
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Recommended stations based on users' preferences and free parking fee
User Testing Results
20%
User Satisfaction
18%
Search Time
Impacts
Enhanced Convenience: The new application can significantly improve the convenience for EV owners by providing real-time information on charging station availability, the number of available chargers, and associated brands. This enables users to locate and access charging stations more easily and efficiently, reducing time spent searching for available chargers.
Efficient Trip Planning: The application's features, such as displaying charger types and power levels, enable users to plan their charging sessions more effectively.
Network Preference Consideration: By displaying the networks associated with each charging station, the application caters to users' network preferences. EV owners can select stations from their preferred charging networks or renowned manufacturers, ensuring a consistent and trusted charging experience.
User Testing Feedback
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I love how easy it is to find nearby charging stations with this app. The real-time availability feature has helped me avoid long waits at crowded stations.
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The UI is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the app. I appreciate the clear information on the number of available chargers at each station. It saves me time and frustration
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The app has made road trips with my EV so much smoother. I can easily plan my charging stops along the route, ensuring I have access to charging stations when needed. It has taken away the stress of finding charging infrastructure in unfamiliar locations.
Reflection: Takeaways
Developing a successful app necessitates a comprehensive grasp of the target users and their pain points, along with a clear vision for addressing those issues. It also requires a meticulous design process that encompasses the user journey, information architecture, and feature selection.
Given additional time and resources, I would have been able to gather more insights through interviews and user testing. This would have allowed me to create a more intuitive interface and enhance the overall user experience, ensuring that users can easily navigate and utilize the app's key features.
The feedback obtained from user testing participants has provided valuable insights into users' preferences for filtering and customization options. This knowledge is crucial in enabling users to swiftly access specific video sections tailored to their needs.
With continued development and implementation of user feedback, the app can be further refined to meet the users' expectations and offer an exceptional experience that addresses their pain points effectively.
