EV / HYBRID / GAS

01. PROJECT PLAN

02. CASE STUDY

UX project plan & case study based on a single household’s vehicle purchase decision.

The Future of Driving Decisions

Simplifying the choice between EV, hybrid, and gas vehicles.

This study explores how evolving vehicle technologies (EV, hybrid, and gas) impact decision-making to support a clear and confident car purchase. Grounded in a real-world scenario with a fixed lease-end timeline, the goal is to reduce uncertainty and support a clear, confident purchase decision.

Origin Story

As a family approaches the end of our gas vehicle lease in 3 months, we’re confronted with a decision many households face today: should we stick with gas, switch to hybrid, or fully transition to electric? The abundance of conflicting information & unclear trade-offs revealed an opportunity for me to explore how UX can support better decision making in a high-stakes and time bound situation.

With vast amount of information available online and inaccuracy of comparisons (largely due to personal biases), decision anxiety is at a high.

Objectives / Goal

This study aims to design a decision framework that reduces cognitive overload and supports confident vehicle selection among EV, hybrid, and gas options. Success is measured by the user’s ability to narrow choices efficiently, reach a decision within a fixed timeframe, and feel confident in the trade-offs made.

Questions for Research

● How do consumers navigate the decision between EV, hybrid, and gas vehicles, and what factors most influence a confident final choice?

● How do people currently approach researching vehicle options (EV, hybrid, gas)?

● At what point does information become overwhelming rather than helpful?

● What factors matter most when choosing a vehicle (cost, convenience, sustainability, reliability)?

● What triggers a final decision versus continued indecision?

Research

Key Insights

Participants engaged with multiple sources (articles, videos, comparison tools), but instead of gaining clarity, they became more uncertain over time.

Almost all participants began with budget, but struggled to compare upfront cost vs. long-term savings across EV, hybrid, and gas options.

Perceived risk increases when external conditions (like weather) introduce uncertainty into already unfamiliar technology.

EV consideration is not driven by preference alone, it is constrained by infrastructure and lifestyle compatibility.

Decision-making is not purely rational, emotional overload reduces confidence even when sufficient information is available.