MultiTankCard had a clear idea: combine electric charging with promotions and loyalty. Not a standard charging app, but a concept in which users are rewarded based on their charging behaviour. Together with MTC we developed this idea further, from initial concept to a working and scalable platform.
Problem statement
The challenge turned out to be bigger than expected. The EV ecosystem consists of multiple parties: charging networks, payment systems, location owners and end users, all of whom needed to work together. Bringing all those parties together, both technically and organisationally, was the core of the challenge.
Our solution
We helped translate the initial concept into a working platform and played a central role in bringing together the various parties within the EV ecosystem. We realised integrations with charging networks, payments and external partners, and ensured the platform works with existing charging stations without requiring hardware modifications.
We also developed the platform into a solution where charging and promotions come together. Location owners, such as petrol stations, gained insight into users, charging behaviour and the effectiveness of their promotions, with the ability to actively act on that data.
For end users, this resulted in a complete experience: from finding charging points and starting sessions to paying, gaining insight into costs and receiving relevant rewards.
An important part of the process was the on-location UX work.
To test the app in its real context, we organised test sessions at
Loogman, a petrol station and car wash where the first charging stations
were being installed. Testers (MTC employees with an EV) used the app
on location, while the Loogman stakeholder watched live. What those
sessions made clear: operating a charging station is not a sofa
experience. Users are simultaneously managing their phone, car keys and
charging cable, sometimes in the rain, surrounded by moving traffic and
customers filling up. The app needed to be simpler than simple. Those
insights directly shaped the further design.
The same approach applied to the location owner back-office. For the financial processing of promotions and charging sessions, we spoke with the financial department of the location owner, mapped their needs and translated them into a dedicated flow for exports, logging and reconciliation. A project within the project, handled with the same care.
Impact
- From idea to working and scalable platform
- New concept: charging combined with promotions and loyalty
- Immediately deployable through integration with existing infrastructure
- More insight and control for location owners
- Better user experience with clear costs and rewards
- Strong foundation for further growth within the EV ecosystem
