EV Infotainment

EV Infotainment

EV Infotainment

Infotainment screen UI for first-time EV drivers

Infotainment screen UI for first-time EV drivers

Role

Role

UXUI Designer

UXUI Designer

Timeline

Timeline

Jan - Feb 2024

Jan - Feb 2024

Team

Team

Personal Project

Personal Project

Overview

Infotainment screens in automobiles were once a secondary feature, but in electric vehicles (EVs), they have become central, integrating all the functions of the infotainment system. However, for drivers encountering an EV’s infotainment screen for the first time—where every physical button has been replaced by a touchscreen interface—it may not feel intuitive.

Most people associate touchscreen interfaces with smartphone UIs. To address this, I redesigned the infotainment UI for EVs, creating an experience that feels familiar to smartphone users while enhancing driver usability.

Infotainment screens in automobiles were once a secondary feature, but in electric vehicles (EVs), they have become central, integrating all the functions of the infotainment system. However, for drivers encountering an EV’s infotainment screen for the first time—where every physical button has been replaced by a touchscreen interface—it may not feel intuitive.

Most people associate touchscreen interfaces with smartphone UIs. To address this, I redesigned the infotainment UI for EVs, creating an experience that feels familiar to smartphone users while enhancing driver usability.

Design systems

Design systems

Home screen app icon
Home screen app icon
Menu bar icon
Menu bar icon
Small icon
Small icon
Full-height widget
Full-height widget
Mid-height widget
Mid-height widget
Min-height widget
Min-height widget

Designs for smartphone users

Electric vehicles have become mainstream in the automotive industry, yet many drivers still feel unfamiliar when transitioning to EVs. To bridge the gap between traditional car drivers and EV users, I focused on a common element: the smartphone, the most familiar touchscreen device for most people. The layouts are optimized for smartphone users while maintaining a consistent and cohesive design system.

Electric vehicles have become mainstream in the automotive industry, yet many drivers still feel unfamiliar when transitioning to EVs. To bridge the gap between traditional car drivers and EV users, I focused on a common element: the smartphone, the most familiar touchscreen device for most people. The layouts are optimized for smartphone users while maintaining a consistent and cohesive design system.

Home screen

Home screen

Infotainment of Tesla
Infotainment of Tesla
Problem

Vague home screen and small icons

Tesla, one of the most well-known EV manufacturers, uses a drawer-style interface for accessing apps, functioning as the home screen. However, the home screen is often perceived as a navigation path to access apps.

The size of the app icons is not large enough for drivers to touch comfortably while driving, despite having sufficient space to accommodate larger icons.

Tesla, one of the most well-known EV manufacturers, uses a drawer-style interface for accessing apps, functioning as the home screen. However, the home screen is often perceived as a navigation path to access apps.

The size of the app icons is not large enough for drivers to touch comfortably while driving, despite having sufficient space to accommodate larger icons.

Accessing the home screen
Accessing the home screen
Solution

Home screen, home button, and larger app icons

Similar to a regular smartphone interface, the app page and home screen are separated, allowing drivers and passengers to easily access the home screen by tapping the home button placed on the side of the menu bar.

Larger app icons on the home screen allow operators to easily select an icon without requiring much attention.

Similar to a regular smartphone interface, the app page and home screen are separated, allowing drivers and passengers to easily access the home screen by tapping the home button placed on the side of the menu bar.

Larger app icons on the home screen allow operators to easily select an icon without requiring much attention.

Infotainment of Hyundai
Infotainment of Hyundai
Problem

Blurry interface

Many car makers use monotone design systems for a consistent interface. However, this makes it difficult for drivers to quickly identify each icon because they all appear similar, especially when they cannot fully focus on the screen while driving.

Many car makers use monotone design systems for a consistent interface. However, this makes it difficult for drivers to quickly identify each icon because they all appear similar, especially when they cannot fully focus on the screen while driving.

Solution

Colorful icons

Each icon features a distinct color background that reflects its identity, allowing drivers to recognize and tap the icon at a glance. For instance, a green icon might signify the battery, while a white icon with red could represent the calendar.

Each icon features a distinct color background that reflects its identity, allowing drivers to recognize and tap the icon at a glance. For instance, a green icon might signify the battery, while a white icon with red could represent the calendar.

Quick bar

Quick bar

Traditional center console with physical buttons
Traditional center console with physical buttons
Quick bar to access the desired function directly
Quick bar to access the desired function directly
Problem

Lack of physical buttons

Drivers new to electric vehicles often struggle to access features directly due to the lack of physical buttons, frequently needing to navigate through several steps to reach their desired function.

Drivers new to electric vehicles often struggle to access features directly due to the lack of physical buttons, frequently needing to navigate through several steps to reach their desired function.

Solution

Quick bar

The menu bar can hold several frequently used function buttons and apps, and with a sliding motion, users can access additional functions like a traditional center console with multiple buttons.

The menu bar can hold several frequently used function buttons and apps, and with a sliding motion, users can access additional functions like a traditional center console with multiple buttons.

© Jihoon Jang 2025

© Jihoon Jang 2025

© Jihoon Jang 2025