I analyzed several leading EV charging products, including ChargePoint, Tesla, EVgo, Electrify America, and Blink, to understand how drivers interact with charging stations in real-world scenarios.

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I examined how users start and manage charging sessions, what information is presented during the process, and how interfaces guide users through key actions.

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This helped identify what users actually need at each stage of charging, as well as common friction points in existing interaction flows.

To design a charging system that works across enterprise environments, I first defined the key user roles involved and their distinct responsibilities.

These roles informed how interactions, access control, and system behavior were designed across different scenarios.

I grouped deployment environments into three primary categories based on access level and usage context.
Each scenario introduces different expectations around who can use the charger, how access is controlled, and how the system should behave.

Chargers may be installed in private environments, such as gated parking areas or small garages, where access is restricted and usage is predictable.
In public environments, like large retail parking lots, chargers must support open access and clear guidance for first-time users.

Semi-private environments, such as office buildings, sit between the two, requiring controlled access while still supporting frequent, repeat use by employees.

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These scenarios later informed the design of multiple charging modes and access rules.

Based on the different deployment scenarios and access requirements, I explored how charging behavior could be adapted through configurable activation modes.

The goal was to allow a single hardware system to support both open and controlled environments through software and interaction design.

First, I looked at the most basic charging interaction from the end user’s perspective.

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In scenarios without any authentication, the user journey is very simple: plug in the charger, start charging, and unplug once charging is complete.

This maps to three core UI states on the device: Idle, Charging, and Charge Complete.

To support these different scenarios, I introduced the concept of configurable charging modes.
Each mode represents a different balance between accessibility and control, allowing admins to tailor how a charger is used based on the site’s context and operational needs.

In the first version, I designed four charging modes: Plug & Charge, QR Code, UniFi Identity App, and No Access.
Admins can configure the preferred mode for each charger through the UniFi Console, enabling the same hardware to adapt to a wide range of deployment environments.

After evaluating different authentication approaches and discussing trade-offs with the team, we prioritized QR Code and UniFi Identity App as the primary methods for the first version.

​

To operationalize this, I introduced configurable charging modes in the admin console, allowing administrators to define how each charger should be accessed based on their specific needs.

After validating the core concepts through user interviews and early testing, we finalized the first release design of the EV charger experience. This version focused on addressing the most critical user needs and delivering a stable, deployable system for real-world use.

​

The following designs highlight key features and experience decisions that were shipped as part of the first release.

Following launch, our team continued expanding the product’s features and value. Among the most anticipated additions were a built-in payment system and a more accessible hardware variant, EV Station Lite.

Payment System

To support EV charging payments, we partnered with a third-party provider that allowed site owners to apply for merchant accounts. I designed the admin flow for payment onboarding, including merchant application pages, pricing configuration, and the card payment flow for end users.

I analyzed several leading EV charging products, including ChargePoint, Tesla, EVgo, Electrify America, and Blink, to understand how drivers interact with charging stations in real-world scenarios.

​

I examined how users start and manage charging sessions, what information is presented during the process, and how interfaces guide users through key actions.

​

This helped identify what users actually need at each stage of charging, as well as common friction points in existing interaction flows.

To design a charging system that works across enterprise environments, I first defined the key user roles involved and their distinct responsibilities.

These roles informed how interactions, access control, and system behavior were designed across different scenarios.

I grouped deployment environments into three primary categories based on access level and usage context.
Each scenario introduces different expectations around who can use the charger, how access is controlled, and how the system should behave.

Chargers may be installed in private environments, such as gated parking areas or small garages, where access is restricted and usage is predictable.
In public environments, like large retail parking lots, chargers must support open access and clear guidance for first-time users.

Semi-private environments, such as office buildings, sit between the two, requiring controlled access while still supporting frequent, repeat use by employees.

​

These scenarios later informed the design of multiple charging modes and access rules.

Based on the different deployment scenarios and access requirements, I explored how charging behavior could be adapted through configurable activation modes.

The goal was to allow a single hardware system to support both open and controlled environments through software and interaction design.

First, I looked at the most basic charging interaction from the end user’s perspective. In scenarios without any authentication, the user journey is very simple: plug in the charger, start charging, and unplug once charging is complete.

This flow to three states on the device: Idle, Charging, and Charge Complete.

In more open environments, such as shared parking spaces or retail locations, administrators need to control access to ensure chargers are used appropriately.

​

Based on these scenarios and the constraints of the hardware, I explored different authentication methods to support controlled usage.

After evaluating different authentication approaches and discussing trade-offs with the team, we prioritized QR Code and UniFi Identity App as the primary methods for the first version.

​

To operationalize this, I introduced configurable charging modes in the admin console, allowing administrators to define how each charger should be accessed based on their specific needs.

After validating the core concepts through user interviews and early testing, we finalized the first release design of the EV charger experience. This version focused on addressing the most critical user needs and delivering a stable, deployable system for real-world use.

​

The following designs highlight key features and experience decisions that were shipped as part of the first release.

Following launch, our team continued expanding the product’s features and value. Among the most anticipated additions were a built-in payment system and a more accessible hardware variant, EV Station Lite.

Payment System

To support EV charging payments, we partnered with a third-party provider that allowed site owners to apply for merchant accounts. I designed the admin flow for payment onboarding, including merchant application pages, pricing configuration, and the card payment flow for end users.