Enabling universal accessibility for EV charging with on-demand rental adapters from Evalv
Client:
Evalv
Location:
Seattle, WA
My Role
UX Designer
Platforms
Website
Scope of Work
User Research | UX Design
Timeline
June 24' - August 24'
(8 weeks)
Team
Yechan Choi
Gily Chiang Yu
Aashika Ashok
Anita Nwude-Chenge
Ruthvik Panchakshari
The Problem
Charging an EV comes with a lot of challenges. Adapters aren’t universal, they’re expensive, and often hard to find at public stations. For people who don’t have access to home charging, like those who park on the street, relying on public chargers can be even more frustrating. Not having the right adapter when it’s needed creates unnecessary hassle and makes EV ownership feel less practical, slowing the shift to greener transportation.
The Solution
The goal is to build a compelling website that educates and excites people about Evalv. It will showcase a network of affordable adapter rental lockers at public charging stations, giving on-demand access to various EV adapters.
The Process
We conducted multiple stakeholder interviews with the CEO and CTO which provided valuable insights into the constraints EVALV faces, helping us define the scope of the website and align its messaging with the business’s goals.
Business needs:
01. Practical solution for temporary adapter demand
Develop a solution that quickly meets the short-term need for EV adapters before market standardization reduces demand.
02. Overcoming Infrastructure Limitations
Optimize operations to maximize charging station coverage and ensure system reliability despite limited infrastructure.
03. Optimizing Adapter Inventory
Establish a robust inventory system that ensures adapters are available when needed, while avoiding waste or shortages
04. Ensuring Accurate, Real-Time Data
Provide reliable, up-to-date information about adapter availability and station compatibility to enhance user satisfaction.
Project goals:
01. Creating a seamless, user-focused experience
Design the service to ensure a smooth and reliable experience that builds trust and encourages EV adoption.
02. Educating users about real-world solutions
Inform users how EVALV addresses their charging frustrations and provides a hassle-free, accessible charging experience.
03. Positioning EVALV as a convenient, short-term solution
Promote EVALV as a practical and dependable answer to EV adapter challenges in the short run.
Through desk research, we gained a clearer understanding of EV adapter types, compatibility issues, and market trends. It shed light on user pain points, target demographics, and the shift toward industry standards. This research played a key role in shaping our design approach to address real-world challenges.
So what did we find?
01. Prevalence of Adapter Usage
EV owners need adapters infrequently, typically for long trips or when charging stations lack compatible connectors.
02. User Pain Points
Lack of standardization in charging ports, high costs for adapters, and unreliable adapter availability at public stations were key frustrations for users.
03. Behavioral Patterns
Users typically need adapters in urgent, low-battery situations.
04. Market Trends
The shift toward universal connectors means the adapter rental service has a limited window to address this need before standardization reduces demand.
Through the stakeholder interviews and desk research we conducted, we were able to identify the target audience.
So who are the users?
01. EV owners needing adapters for long trips
EV owners need adapters infrequently, typically for long trips or when charging stations lack compatible connectors.
02. EV users without home charging access
Address the needs of users without access to home charging, particularly those who park on the street and rely on public stations.
03. Potential EV owners
Potential EV owners who are apprehensive to purchase due to range anxiety and charging costs.
04. Road Trippers
Road trippers who need access to a charging station, but may not have the correct adapter available (and need adapters temporarily).
The focus was on understanding EV owners' experiences with charging networks and the challenges posed by non-universal adapters. We aimed to identify the types of EV users that align with EVALV’s target demographic, their charging habits, and the specific contexts in which they need adapters.
So what were the survey findings?
Based on survey insights, we developed user personas to represent EVALV’s target audience. These personas highlighted charging habits, pain points, and contextual needs, helping to shape a user-focused design that addresses real-world challenges.
So who are we designing for?
We created a sitemap to organize content and streamline navigation, ensuring users can quickly find information about adapter availability, rental locations, and the benefits of EVALV’s service.
Sitemap:
Establishing design goals ensured the team stayed focused on addressing user needs, solving key pain points, and delivering a clear, efficient experience that aligns with EVALV’s objectives.
Design goals:
01. User centric design
Create an intuitive and accessible interface that ensures easy navigation and access to information for both EV owners and business clients.
02. Clarity and simplicity
Present information clearly with straightforward language and a logical layout to make it easy for users to find what they need.
03. Brand identity
Maintain a visual identity that reflects EVALV’s innovative, eco-friendly ethos through consistent use of brand colors, fonts, and imagery.
04. Conversion optimization
Design with a focus on encouraging user engagement and facilitating actions, such as signing up for services or contacting the company.
We created a style guide to ensure consistent application of brand elements like colors, fonts, and imagery across the website. This helped maintain a unified look and feel that aligns with EVALV’s identity and values.
Style guide:
So what did it result in?
01. An online presence for Evalv
A clear online presence for EVALV that effectively communicates its purpose and offerings.
02. Alignment between user and business needs
Alignment between user needs and business goals, ensuring the website supports both practical and strategic objectives.
So what did I learn?
01. Collaborating with a multicultural team spanning multiple countries
Collaborating with a diverse team from different countries and backgrounds brought unique perspectives to the project and enriched the design process.
02. Working with a team across multiple time zones
Managing communication and tasks across multiple time zones taught me how to adapt workflows and prioritize efficiently.
03. Stakeholder feedback
Realized the value of iterative feedback from stakeholders in refining the design.