EV Charging & Service App for Dhaka

Overview

As Bangladesh experiences a rising shift towards electric mobility, Dhaka, in particular, is seeing a growing adoption of electric bikes, scooters, and hybrid vehicles. Despite this momentum, the supporting infrastructure—particularly public charging stations—remained underdeveloped. Recognizing this gap, a pioneering EV infrastructure company partnered with Headless Technologies Limited to build a digital ecosystem for EV users in Dhaka.

The goal was to create an application that allowed vehicle owners to locate charging stations in real time, view availability, book slots, subscribe for monthly usage, and access servicing features. The solution had to be scalable, map-based, and provide seamless payment integration—all while catering to a user base that included both two-wheeler and four-wheeler EV owners.

Working Procedure

We began by conducting on-ground research with EV users and speaking to station operators to understand behavioral patterns, peak usage times, and infrastructural limitations. Based on these insights, our design and engineering teams crafted user personas and mapped key user journeys: charging, booking, servicing, and payments.

Next, we designed interactive prototypes using Figma to visualize app flows—such as station discovery, vehicle diagnostics, service bookings, and subscription management. These mockups were reviewed in iterative cycles with the client to ensure alignment with both customer needs and operational feasibility.

Once finalized, development kicked off with three dedicated teams: mobile app, backend API, and admin dashboard. Due to the live data requirements, we prioritized real-time systems architecture, WebSocket-based updates, and integration with GPS-enabled station hardware. After a structured QA phase and pilot rollout, the app was launched city-wide within 60 days.

Problem and Solutions

Real-Time Station Discovery and Availability

One of the key challenges was helping users discover the nearest available EV charging station in real time. Stations often had limited charging points and inconsistent user reporting. To solve this, we integrated GPS modules at the station level, feeding real-time data into a centralized database. The app allowed users to see station locations on a dynamic map, with visual cues for open/occupied slots. We also implemented a WebSocket connection that allowed the UI to update live as slots opened or filled.

Slot Reservation and Queuing

Users frequently arrived at fully occupied stations and had to wait without a clear system in place. We introduced a slot booking feature within the app, where users could reserve a time window or join a live queue. A countdown system notified users when their slot became active, reducing congestion and confusion at peak hours.

Payment & Subscription Management

Not all users preferred pay-as-you-go billing; some wanted monthly plans. Managing one-time and recurring payments required careful integration with local gateways. We built a dual billing model with bKash, Nagad, and credit card support for both single payments and automated renewals. Users could select charging credits or subscribe to unlimited access for fixed stations.

EV Health Monitoring

An important innovation was the ability to track vehicle diagnostics. For supported e-bikes and EV cars, the app could fetch battery health, charge cycles, and estimated range using a paired BLE or IoT device. Users received maintenance alerts, service reminders, and recommendations for servicing.

Building Trust with Service Integration

Many EV users lacked access to certified EV repair services. The app offered a built-in service booking system, allowing users to request at-home repairs or book visits at service hubs. Verified vendors and workshop partners were onboarded with ratings and service histories, improving reliability and satisfaction.

Development Tools and Tech Stacks

To support real-time updates, geographic rendering, and scalable backend logic, we selected a modern, cloud-ready tech stack:

• Mobile App: React Native for Android and iOS support

• Map Services: Mapbox SDK for high-precision station plotting

• Backend: Node.js + Express with REST and WebSocket support

• Database: MongoDB for vehicle profiles and charging histories

• Live Data Sync: Redis Pub/Sub and WebSocket for real-time availability

• Payment Integration: SSLCommerz (bKash, Nagad, VISA, Mastercard)

• Diagnostics Module: Custom IoT integration with BLE for EV health

• Admin Dashboard: React.js with multi-role login and service tracking

• CI/CD and Hosting: Docker, GitHub Actions, and Firebase for deployment
  
  
  All station hardware was also equipped with a simplified protocol to push status data to our server at regular intervals. Service vendors had a lightweight admin interface to manage bookings and respond to client queries.

Results and Impact

The app launched within 60 days and rapidly onboarded thousands of users. Within the first month, over 15,000 successful charging sessions were booked through the platform. Over 70% of users preferred to reserve slots in advance, and more than 1,200 subscribed to monthly plans within the first quarter.

Users reported a 60% reduction in waiting times, while servicing partners saw a 3x increase in verified job requests. For the client, the app provided rich usage data, helping plan future station expansion and maintenance operations.

Final Thoughts

The EV Charging & Service App for Dhaka is a milestone in Bangladesh’s shift to sustainable mobility. By combining real-time infrastructure intelligence, EV diagnostics, and digital payments, Headless Technologies Limited delivered a solution that directly improves the day-to-day experience of EV users. As the EV ecosystem grows, this app forms a digital backbone for managing vehicles, power demand, and service needs—laying the foundation for a smarter, greener Dhaka.