A new industry campaign has warned that the UK’s transition to electric vehicles risks slowing unless the sector better reflects women’s needs and experiences.
Global Women in EV Day will launch on February 10 at Octopus Electroverse’s London headquarters, highlighting what organisers describe as a structural gender gap across EV ownership, charging infrastructure, product design and marketing.
Women hold 49% of UK driving licences, but data suggests they account for only around one third of EV drivers, compared with an even split among petrol car owners.
At the same time, women remain underrepresented across the industries shaping the EV transition, with EngineeringUK reporting that women make up just 15.7% of the UK engineering and technology workforce.
A blind spot limiting EV adoption
The campaign argues that this imbalance creates blind spots that could limit mainstream EV adoption, from the location and design of charging infrastructure to how affordability and ownership are communicated to customers.
Global Women in EV Day has been founded by Gill Nowell and is positioned as an annual initiative focused on practical action rather than awareness alone.
Nowell said: “The transition to electric mobility gives us a once-in-a-generation chance to build a fairer, more inclusive industry – but only if we choose to design it that way.
“Global Women in EV Day is about visibility, momentum and action. It’s about recognising the women already driving this transition, and making sure the next generation sees that they belong here too.”
The initiative is supported by a group of founding partners from across the automotive, charging and energy sectors, including Autotrader, Zapmap, Zemo Partnership and GreenFleet.
Transition to electric mobility must put all drivers at the centre
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer at Autotrader, said: “Autotrader is proud to be a founding partner of Global Women in EV Day.
“Helping more women succeed in the automotive sector is a key part of our diversity and inclusion strategy so joining key campaigns like this is a fantastic way to make a broader difference.
“We’ve learned a lot on our journey towards building an inclusive culture, from new recruitment practices to employee-driven networks, and are passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learnt and the experiences we’ve gained, to support others with their own ambitions.”
Rachel Beaton, commercial director at Octopus Electroverse, said: “We are proud to host the first Global Women in EV Day – a moment for the industry to come together, amplify diverse voices, and commit to a more inclusive future.
“The transition to electric mobility must put all drivers at the centre, regardless of their gender or background.”
Melanie Shufflebotham, cofounder and chief operating officer at Zapmap, said: “Supporting women to grow, lead and thrive in EV is essential to the success of the transition. We’re delighted to back Global Women in EV Day and to invest in mentoring and leadership pathways for the next generation.”
The sold out UK launch event will include the premiere of the Global Women in EV Day launch film, followed by panel discussions on leadership, mentoring and the future of clean mobility. The organisers said the initiative will run annually, with 2026 marking its first global celebration.