Keeping women in the driving seat

Electrifying and AA call for government and industry give women the confidence to adopt electric vehicles

There has been a significant decline in general attitudes from women towards electric cars over the last two years, a survey suggests.

UK-wide survey conducted by EV advice site Electrifying.com and The AA with female drivers reveals that fewer than one in ten women say their next car will be electric, citing lack of confidence as a key barrier.

Just 6% of women feel they have the knowledge and confidence to buy a used electric car, whilst two-thirds of women say they find the prospect of charging an EV confusing.

On what is International Women’s Day 2024, Electrifiying.com is calling on the government to step up and ensure that women don’t get left behind on the road to electrification.

The joint survey of 3,712 female drivers by Electrifying.com and The AA found that two-thirds of women don’t want to give up their petrol or diesel cars, citing concerns around how to charge an electric car and a lack of confidence in the infrastructure as key reasons – with 55% of women telling us that they have concerns about their personal safety due to the location of some charging points.

Just 2% of those surveyed were currently EV drivers.

Female drivers also said that they have concerns about running out of charge with their family in the car, with 60% giving this as a reason for their reluctance to switch.

Women's enthusiasm to embrace electric vehicles has dropped dramatically over the past two years with just 16% saying that they feel confident about the prospect of charging an electric car, compared to 40% of men. While the number of women who feel less confident at the prospect of driving an EV than they do a petrol or diesel car has risen to 60%, up from 50% in 2021.

Some 66% of female drivers said that clear and easily accessible information about electric cars – along with the opportunity to drive one – would help give them the confidence they need to switch, with 1 in 5 admitting they find information about how electric cars work confusing.

Two-thirds of women said the opportunity to take an extended test drive would boost their confidence.

To ensure no woman gets left behind on the road to electric, the female-fronted website Electrifying.com is calling for a government led campaign to help alleviate the genuine concerns women have about EVs. Additionally, it is calling on the automotive industry to come together and offer women the opportunity to take extended test drives of electric cars to bolster their confidence in a pressure-free environment away from the dealership.

Founder and chief executive of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:  “As the founder of a female led automotive brand I know that owning a car empowers women and gives them independence. So it’s crucial that female drivers aren’t left behind on the road to electrification due to a lack of knowledge.

“Our research clearly shows that women have concerns and questions about EVs which differ from those of men, which is why we’re calling on policy makers and automotive brands to provide clear and accessible information to help female car buyers get to grips with this new technology.

“As the founder of a female led brand, and long-time EV driver, I know first-hand that once women experience an electric car they quickly get to grips with things like charging and enjoy the quiet, clean and fun driving experience.

“Women are a key influence in car sales, often having the final say in the choice of model - and we know that 48% of licence holders are female – so bringing them along on this journey is key, not only for the air we breathe in our towns and cities, but also for the wider economy and the UK automotive industry.”