UX CASE STUDY
EV Charging Station Locator App
A mobile app that helps EV users locate nearby charging stations and assess if their current battery level is sufficient to reach them. Designed for both daily commuters and frequent travelers, the app offers station compatibility details, amenities, and a minimalist user experience.
My Design Process
Discover
Define
Ideate
Design
Secondary Research Stats
To better understand EV drivers' pain points, I conducted secondary research by referring to credible industry reports, articles, online forums and user reviews.
Range Anxiety is Real
According to a report by McKinsey, range anxiety remains one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption. Drivers are often unsure if they can reach a charging station before their battery runs out.
Lack of Public Charging Infrastructure
NITI Aayog reports that India has a relatively low density of public EV chargers, especially outside metro cities. This makes finding charging stations difficult for frequent travelers.
Desire for Simple Interfaces
In reviews of existing apps like Tata Power EZ Charge and Statiq, users mentioned that many apps are “cluttered” and hard to navigate while driving. EV drivers prefer minimal, at-a-glance UIs with just essential information.
Connector Compatibility Confusion
Online EV communities like PlugShare and Team-BHP EV forums reveal that users often face issues identifying which chargers are compatible with their vehicles due to a lack of standardization and poor signage.
Insights from App reviews
User reviews of apps like Tata Power EZ Charge and Statiq reveal frustration with cluttered interfaces and slow loading times. Many users want a clean, fast UI that highlights key info like charger availability, type, and speed—especially when charging urgently.
Key Insights
Battery Anxiety is common
Users fear getting stranded without enough charge. A Battery Sufficiency Check is crucial for building trust and confidence in the app.
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Car compatibility is Unclear
Connector confusion is common. The app should clearly show which connector types are available and whether they’re compatible with the user’s vehicle.
Discovery is Hard
For users on the move, location-based discovery and a clean map interface help them make quick decisions in unfamiliar areas.
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Problem Statement
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EV users struggle to locate nearby charging stations quickly.
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Users are unsure if their battery will last until they reach the station.
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EV connectors and charging speeds vary by vehicle, causing confusion.
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Drivers feel uncertain when traveling to new areas with unknown stations.
Solution
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A map-based interface with filters helps users find the nearest available stations.
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Real-time Battery Sufficiency to estimate if current charge is enough to get there.
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Station details clearly list charging types, speeds, and compatible connectors.
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The app shows trusted, rated stations with amenities and connector availability.
Product Users
The primary users are EV drivers—both daily commuters and frequent travelers—who need a quick, reliable way to find nearby charging stations and check if their battery can get them there. Secondary users include charging station owners who want to improve visibility and manage usage. All users value real-time data, station compatibility info, and a simple, intuitive interface.
User Persona
Ayaan Basu
Age
Occupation
28
Freelance Photographer
& Travel Vlogger
Location
Nomadic (Currently based in Hyderabad)
Tech Literacy
High
Quote
"I just want to know if I can reach the next charger without guessing."
Core Needs
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Quickly find compatible charging stations
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Know if battery is sufficient to reach
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See real-time station availability
Frustrations
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Confusing app layouts
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No info on connector types
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Range anxiety in unfamiliar locations
Personality Traits
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Adventurous
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Independent
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Tech-savvy
Features & Functionalities
Battery Sufficiency Check
Charging Station Locator
Station Details Page
User Flow
Scenario
Find & Navigate to a Charging Station
Wireframes
These early wireframes helped map the core structure of the app — including key features like the station list, battery sufficiency, and car summary cards. However, as the project evolved, user needs and design goals shifted, leading to important layout and interaction changes.”
Style Guides
UI Colors
#7AAE34
#7DCFFC
#F3C31A
#F97216
#083249
Neutrals
Typography
Icons
UI Components
Iterations
Before finalizing the design, I revisited key screens to improve clarity, usability, and user flow. Based on layout testing and design goals, several thoughtful changes were made to enhance the overall experience.
Before
After
Final Design
After multiple iterations and refinements, the final UI brings together functionality and simplicity in a clean, modern layout. Each screen is optimized for clarity, quick actions, and visual comfort — especially for users on the go.
Homepage
A clean overview of car performance and a direct path to action.
A bottom sheet displays the station’s name, rating, distance, connector types, and current open/closed status — allowing quick comparison without leaving the station list.
Stations List
Explore nearby stations with both spatial and list-based discovery.
Includes an interactive map showing station pins alongside a scrollable station list. Each card features a quick view button for fast access to station info.
Station Quick View
Instant station details in a slide-up card.
A bottom sheet displays the station’s name, rating, distance, connector types, and current open/closed status — allowing quick comparison without leaving the station list.
Stations Details
A structured and visual overview of station-specific information.
Displays a real image of the station, its name, rating, working hours, available connectors, and amenities. A secondary navigation button lets users open directions in their preferred maps app. Users can also book a slot directly from this screen using a date and time picker.
My Key Takeaways
Challenges
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Designing for drivers in motion with limited time and attention
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Balancing essential information with clean UI
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Communicating technical info like connectors and charging speed simply
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Creating a smooth flow without overwhelming the user
Learnings
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Minimalism and clarity are essential for on-the-go decision-making
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Prioritizing data like battery, availability, and compatibility creates focus
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Visual icons and plain language improve user understanding
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Clear CTAs and step-by-step flow guide users intuitively
