EV SPRINT - Electric Charge Finder
"Empowering EV drivers in Calgary to find the nearest and cheapest charging stations seamlessly."
Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
“How might we provide a solution for electric vehicle owners in Calgary to easily find the nearest and most cost-effective charging stations?”
Problem Background
“Since the surge in electric vehicle adoption began in Calgary in 2018, there's been a growing need for accessible and affordable charging infrastructure.”
Research Insights
User Pain Points
“Using Quora and Facebook groups, we identified that EV owners struggled with finding convenient and cost-effective charging solutions. Over 10 user interviews revealed common pain points.”
Supporting Data
“85% of people we spoke to mentioned they were unhappy with the current solution, citing issues with inaccurate station information and lack of real-time pricing details.”
Feedback
“Our preliminary user research to validate this problem with undergraduate students in Nigeria found that the demand for such a solution isn't limited to Calgary. Users expressed similar concerns about finding reliable charging stations.”
Landing on the Solution
“Based on our target users’ pain points, we knew we wanted to work on the following features:
- Real-time charging station information
- Pricing details for cost-effective choices
- Notifications for station availability”
Explanation of Solution
“After we showcased our prototype to the users again, we learned that the real-time information feature significantly improved their charging experience. Users appreciated the ability to plan their trips more efficiently.”
User Flows/Mockups
Future Steps
“This is what we learned from speaking to customers:
- Users want a loyalty program for frequent charging
- Integration with in-car navigation systems
- Expansion to other cities with growing EV communities”
Possible additional problems to address:
- Charging station congestion during peak hours
- Integration with renewable energy sources for eco-conscious users
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Emmanuel Ala
Co.Lab was a very interesting experience for me. I gained insights into the complexities of addressing real-world problems and learned the importance of adaptability in product development. Understanding user needs was crucial in shaping the Electric Charge Finder, and the collaborative environment of Co.Lab played a pivotal role in the success of the project.
Designer Learnings:
Designer Learnings:
Jo Sturdivant
- Adapting to an Established Team: Joining the team in week 6 of 8 was challenging, as I had to quickly adapt to existing workflows, dynamics, and goals. This mirrors real-world situations where you often integrate into teams mid-project, and flexibility is essential.
- Work-Blocking for Efficiency: With only two weeks to complete the project, I learned the importance of a structured work-blocking system. This approach allowed me to manage my time effectively and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Making Data-Driven Design Decisions: Unlike my past projects, I had to rely on research conducted by others. This was a valuable experience in using pre-existing data to guide design decisions, helping me focus on the core insights without starting from scratch.
Developer Learnings:
Developer Learnings:
Vanady Beard
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As the back-end developer, I learned how important it is to create efficient and reliable systems that support the entire application. This experience also taught me the importance of optimising the database and ensuring the backend is scalable and easy to maintain.
Developer Learnings:
Stephen Asiedu
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As a back-end developer, I've come to understand the importance of being familiar with various database systems and modules. This knowledge enables me to build diverse applications and maintain versatility in my work. I've also learned that the responsibility for making the right choices rests on my shoulders, guided by my best judgement.
Developer Learnings:
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Developer Learnings:
Maurquise Williams
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- Process of Creating an MVP: Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) taught me how to focus on delivering core functionalities balancing between essential features and avoiding scope creep.
- Collaboration in a Real-World Tech Setting: This experience taught me how to collaborate efficiently in a fast-paced tech environment, keeping the team aligned and productive, even while working remotely across time zones.
- Sharpening Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: This experience honed my ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. By tackling challenges and finding quick solutions, I sharpened my decision-making and troubleshooting skills in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Developer Learnings:
Jeremiah Williams
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All in all this experience was very awesome I learned that in coding with others being transparent is key
Developers Learnings:
Justin Farley
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I learned how important communication is when working with a team. Communication provides understanding, advice, ideas, and much more. While working with the product team, I’ve found that communication keeps everything flowing smoothly. Working with a team also showed me that every member brings something different to the table and we all have to work together in order to align and meet our end goal.