Optimising Public EV Charger Discovery
I realised users were getting stuck trying to compare chargers because the map kept "forgetting" what they were looking for. By fixing the search logic and keeping filters visible, we made it much easier for people to pick a charger and actually start their session.
Role:
Lead Product Designer / Researcher
Outcome:
Faster selection, less abandonment, and a much smoother flow that didn't require building any "new" features.
The Reality
Most people use the map to find a charger near where they’re going, not where they currently are. But the app made this surprisingly difficult. Users were stuck in this loop of tapping a charger, opening a detail sheet, realizing it covered the filters, closing it, and starting over.
Because they had to keep re-orienting themselves, the "discovery" phase took too long. Instead of picking a charger, they’d get frustrated and just close the app.
Uncovering the Friction
The UI was fighting the user. To change a filter, you had to close the charger you were looking at, which broke the comparison flow.
What the data actually meant
We noticed that 63% of users never touched the List View. It’s easy to assume people just prefer maps, but I found out the List View was actually broken.
If you searched for a destination and then tapped "List," the app would ignore your search and just show chargers near your physical location. It was a huge trust-breaker. Users were manually panning around the map because they couldn't rely on the actual search tools to work.
The List View was resetting the user's search. It wasn't that people didn't want a list; it was that the list didn't respect their intent.
The Fix
I decided to focus on the fundamentals. For a startup, the best move is usually making the existing product work perfectly before adding more "stuff" to it.
What I changed:
•
Fixed the Search: Now, when you search an address, the map stays anchored to that spot (within 2 miles) so you don't lose your place.
•
Persistent Filters: I moved the filters so they’re always accessible, even when you have a charger’s details open. You can compare and narrow down options without the back-and-forth.
•
Synced Views: I fixed the logic so that switching between the map and the list doesn’t reset your search. You stay in the same context.
Now, users can refine their results in real-time without losing their place on the map.
Why this was the right move
By making the search predictable, we cleared the path for users to actually spend money and start a charge. We didn't need a complex new comparison tool; we just needed the map to behave the way users expected it to.
As a designer, I’m always looking for the ‘hidden’ friction. In this case, fixing the search logic did more for our conversion rate than any new feature could have. It’s about building a product that feels reliable—especially when you’re asking users to trust you with their time and their car’s battery.