Designing for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging

From business-focused to user oriented

In 2020, Grønn Kontakt, operating in Norway, Sweden and UK, was acquired by Statkraft, together with ee – Mobility and E-WALD in Germany, and changed its name to Mer. By that time, EGGS were already involved in user insight work to get a more accurate and deeper understanding of Mer’s customers. We embarked on a transformation journey together with Mer, to redesign their app as well as implement their new brand. More than concrete design solutions, the process has also been about creating tools and know-how for working continuously with transformation and innovation in the company.

You’ve helped us solve a complex challenge in a complex industry. And, most importantly, you’ve helped us explain it and create understanding internally.

Transforming insights into a consistent experience

Mer’s goal was to create a holistic, consistent and easy user experience. This required deep user insight work, and close collaboration between different design disciplines, as well as with the client and other external stakeholders.

Their offering consists of an entire ecosystem of services, both physical such as the stations and chargers in different locations, and digital such as services in the app and website. It encompasses innumerous touch points and the user journey and experience could sometimes be complicated. Together with Mer, we used what we had learned about the customers’ pain points to develop a simpler, seamless and more holistic customer journey. This work involved: digital design, front end development, brand implementation and information design, industrial design and service design.

Brand implementation has been important since consistent and clear communication works as the “glue” that integrates the different touch points – both digital and physical - and helps the customer orient him- or herself when using the service.

Rigging for continuous development

Innovation is a process that is never finished. In this project, which is ongoing, the app is one part of Mer’s innovation and digitalisation journey, but it doesn’t end there. A key building block in the project is having rigged a good team and development process. Moreover, we have together defined the goals that the agile team can aspire to reach and centre around in the further development of the service.

The new app has generated a sense of internal pride in Mer. People are proud of being a part of creating it.

New app release and web portal coming up

The next release of the app is on its way, and with new releases planned in the near future. These will have improvements and new features based entirely on user feedback and data analytics. It will, among other things, offer an easier way to start charging. So far, the response for the app is good, and it has already surpassed the website in registrations of new users. Alongside the app, we’re also starting the development of a new web portal and «My page» (Min side) that will be adapted to work in perfect sync with the app. Watch this space!