In-car dashboard design for an electric vehicle: displays and controls

You are asked to design the dashboard for an electric vehicle: decide who it serves, what it shows and how drivers interact with it. ```hint What changes without a fuel tank List the questions an electric car's driver asks that a gasoline car's driver rarely does, and note when in a trip each one comes up, before deciding what goes on which screen. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Does "dashboard" mean the in-car displays (instrument cluster and center screen) or a dashboard in a companion phone app? - Are we designing for one carmaker's vehicle, or a software platform that several carmakers would adopt and customize? - Which drivers come first: first-time EV owners, experienced EV owners, or fleet and rideshare drivers? - Are there hardware constraints we must work within, such as the number of screens, required physical controls or safety rules on driver distraction? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - A chosen driver segment and goal, grounded in the needs that set an electric car apart from a gasoline one - An information hierarchy by context: what must be glanceable while driving, what belongs on the center screen, and what is only available when parked or charging - Safety and distraction limits treated as design constraints, including how controls are split between touch, voice and physical buttons - A prioritized feature set with a defined first version and the reasoning behind it - Success metrics with safety guardrails, and how the design would be tested before and after launch ### Follow-up Questions - How should the dashboard behave when the nearest compatible charger is farther than the remaining estimated range? - What changes if the same software must run in many carmakers' vehicles with different screens and brand requirements? - How would you show that the design reduces range anxiety without increasing distraction?