Transportation Programs | EV | Startup
EVALV
EVALV
EVALV
Providing universal access to charging adapters at various stations for EV drivers.
Providing universal access to charging adapters at various stations for EV drivers.
Providing universal access to charging adapters at various stations for EV drivers.
Overview
Overview
This project was completed as part of the University of Washington’s HCDE Design for Passion 2024 summer program. Our team collaborated with EVALV Solutions to help build their mobile app, working alongside another team focused on developing the EVALV website.
This project was completed as part of the University of Washington’s HCDE Design for Passion 2024 summer program. Our team collaborated with EVALV Solutions to help build their mobile app, working alongside another team focused on developing the EVALV website.
Outcome
A responsive mobile application that locates, reserves, and remotely access EV adapters at nearby stations, facilitating secure rental pickup and return with integrated payment processing and robust authentication.
A responsive mobile application that locates, reserves, and remotely access EV adapters at nearby stations, facilitating secure rental pickup and return with integrated payment processing and robust authentication.
Mobile, App
Client
EVALV Solutions
My Role
UX Research
Ideation
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Testing
Designers
Yuri Kawada
Luciana Cheung
Shay Duan
Antares Yuan
Tools
FigJam
Figma
Timeline
8 weeks
Background
What is EVALV?
What is EVALV?
EVALV aims to provide EV drivers universal access to charging adapters at various stations. This solution enhances the convenience, flexibility, and inclusivity of EV charging, promoting a broader adoption of electric vehicles. The EVALV mobile app allows users to locate, reserve, and remotely access EV adapters at nearby stations, facilitating secure rental pickup and return with integrated payment processing and robust authentication.
EVALV aims to provide EV drivers universal access to charging adapters at various stations. This solution enhances the convenience, flexibility, and inclusivity of EV charging, promoting a broader adoption of electric vehicles. The EVALV mobile app allows users to locate, reserve, and remotely access EV adapters at nearby stations, facilitating secure rental pickup and return with integrated payment processing and robust authentication.
Discover
Uncovering insights through secondary research and stakeholder interview
Uncovering insights through secondary research and stakeholder interview
We used stakeholder interviews, surveys, and secondary research to understand client goals and objectives, and reveal EV user’s pain points.
We used stakeholder interviews, surveys, and secondary research to understand client goals and objectives, and reveal EV user’s pain points.
Secondary Research
Explored over 30 online forums within EV community pages, uncovering key insights about user challenges and preferences related to EV charging adapters. This provided valuable insights into the pain points and expectations of EV owners.
Survey
Based on the EVALV web team’s survey, we analyzed participants’ familiarity with EV adapters and identified ways EVALV’s values could better align with user expectations. The survey gathered over 90 responses, primarily from current EV owners or prospective EV adopters.
Stakeholder Interviews
Conducted two stakeholder interviews with EVALV’s website team to understand the client’s needs and gain insights into their goals and expectations for improving the EV charging experience for mobile app.
Discover
3 Main Pain Points
3 Main Pain Points
Deriving from our research, we found 3 main pain points that we want to focus on.
Deriving from our research, we found 3 main pain points that we want to focus on.
01. Range Anxiety
EV drivers need to plan more carefully than gas vehicle owners because it’s harder to find reliable charging stations, making them rely more on real-time information to reduce range anxiety.
02. Sense of Uncertainty in Charging Resources
EV drivers turn to purchasing cheaper adapter options from online markets, such as Amazon instead of purchasing from car dealership stores. This can risk damaging the car battery due to voltage issues.
03. Excluded by Charging Station Availabilities
People without homes or those unwilling to spend $1,000 on adapters may avoid buying an EV. Homeowners with EVs often dismiss real problems like charging delays, availability, and reliability.
Define
From our research insights, we defined our design question:
From our research insights, we defined our design question:
How might we provide EV drivers with real-time, reliable information and a range of adapter options to reduce range anxiety and ensure a seamless, stress-free charging experience?
How might we provide EV drivers with real-time, reliable information and a range of adapter options to reduce range anxiety and ensure a seamless, stress-free charging experience?
Define
Product Development Goals
Product Development Goals
We set up a PRD document based on our secondary research and stakeholder interviews. The document served as our main platform to share ideas, insights and stay on track with our project timeline. (PRD created by Luciana, Shay, Antares, and me.)
We set up a PRD document based on our secondary research and stakeholder interviews. The document served as our main platform to share ideas, insights and stay on track with our project timeline. (PRD created by Luciana, Shay, Antares, and me.)
Ideation
Generating Ideas from Concept to Creation
Generating Ideas from Concept to Creation
In identifying our user's pain points, we categorized our pain points into 4 categories and put our ideas on how we can solve our user's pain points.
In identifying our user's pain points, we categorized our pain points into 4 categories and put our ideas on how we can solve our user's pain points.
User Flow
Renting and Reserving an Adapter
Renting and Reserving an Adapter
In renting the adapter, we make sure our users are provided with a range of adapter options to find the right adapter for their EV through a personalized car profile. To reduce range anxiety, we also give the users the option to rent the adapter immediately or reserve their adapter for a later time or trip.
In renting the adapter, we make sure our users are provided with a range of adapter options to find the right adapter for their EV through a personalized car profile. To reduce range anxiety, we also give the users the option to rent the adapter immediately or reserve their adapter for a later time or trip.
Returning an Adapter
Returning an Adapter
In the returning flow, we allow users to return adapters to any locker, but they can always locate the nearest locker quickly. We also allow users to reserve a returning slot to reduce the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty.
In the returning flow, we allow users to return adapters to any locker, but they can always locate the nearest locker quickly. We also allow users to reserve a returning slot to reduce the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty.
Wireframes
Renting an Adapter
Renting an Adapter
The renting flow addresses range anxiety by guiding first-time EV users in selecting the correct adapter to rent, even without prior knowledge. For users with a set car profile, it saves time and reduces the stress of finding the right adapter. Additionally, it offers multiple adapter options to suit their EV needs.
The renting flow addresses range anxiety by guiding first-time EV users in selecting the correct adapter to rent, even without prior knowledge. For users with a set car profile, it saves time and reduces the stress of finding the right adapter. Additionally, it offers multiple adapter options to suit their EV needs.
Returning an Adapter
Returning an Adapter
In the returning flow, the app reduces uncertainty by offering real-time availability of locker slots, allowing users to reserve them in advance for a stress-free return process. It also provides quick action options to ensure a seamless and efficient returning experience.
In the returning flow, the app reduces uncertainty by offering real-time availability of locker slots, allowing users to reserve them in advance for a stress-free return process. It also provides quick action options to ensure a seamless and efficient returning experience.
Final Design
Payment in Renting
Payment in Renting
Based on feedback and usability testing, we implemented the payment method upfront, requiring users to pay before renting the adapter. When users click [Use it Now] or [Reserve for Later], they are directed to the payment screen to complete the charge before scanning the QR code.
Based on feedback and usability testing, we implemented the payment method upfront, requiring users to pay before renting the adapter. When users click [Use it Now] or [Reserve for Later], they are directed to the payment screen to complete the charge before scanning the QR code.
Before
Before
After
After
Car Profile in Renting
Car Profile in Renting
To streamline the process of helping users quickly determine the best adapter for their EV, we decided to condense the car profile survey. When users click [Reserve for Later], they are directed to a simplified survey that identifies their EV type and guides them in selecting the appropriate adapter.
To streamline the process of helping users quickly determine the best adapter for their EV, we decided to condense the car profile survey. When users click [Reserve for Later], they are directed to a simplified survey that identifies their EV type and guides them in selecting the appropriate adapter.
Before
Before
After
After
Returning the Adapter
Returning the Adapter
After conducting a usability test and meeting with our client, we decided to shift from manual to automatic payments. This change eliminates the need for users to manually pay after each order, creating a smoother, more seamless experience. Additionally, it enhances business security by requiring upfront payments, reducing the risk of potential losses.
After conducting a usability test and meeting with our client, we decided to shift from manual to automatic payments. This change eliminates the need for users to manually pay after each order, creating a smoother, more seamless experience. Additionally, it enhances business security by requiring upfront payments, reducing the risk of potential losses.
Before
Before
After
After
Retrospective
Takeaways & Next Steps
Takeaways & Next Steps
We successfully addressed the “How Might We” (HMW) question and incorporated insights from usability tests to refine our design. By integrating real-time data, we enhanced user confidence in the product’s reliability. However, this app is just the beginning—a foundation for addressing the broader needs of EV users.
If given more time, we would assess the feasibility and impact of the key features, conduct further A/B testing, and explore advanced functionalities like enhanced filters, environmental impact visualizations, and social sharing options. We also aspire to expand user education through in-app content or gamification, empowering users to better understand EV charging options and the benefits of alternative fuels.
We successfully addressed the “How Might We” (HMW) question and incorporated insights from usability tests to refine our design. By integrating real-time data, we enhanced user confidence in the product’s reliability. However, this app is just the beginning—a foundation for addressing the broader needs of EV users.
If given more time, we would assess the feasibility and impact of the key features, conduct further A/B testing, and explore advanced functionalities like enhanced filters, environmental impact visualizations, and social sharing options. We also aspire to expand user education through in-app content or gamification, empowering users to better understand EV charging options and the benefits of alternative fuels.
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