‘The EV gender gap isn’t just an equity issue, it’s an adoption issue’

Global Women in EV Day takes place on 10 February

Data shows women remain underrepresented across the EV sector and among EV drivers, creating blind spots in charging, product design and marketing that could hold back the next wave of uptake.

A new international movement, Global Women in EV Day, will launch on 10 February 2026 at Octopus Electroverse HQ in London. The movement’s message to the car manufacturing, charging, energy and mobility sectors is: ‘The EV gender gap isn’t just an equity issue, it’s an adoption issue.’

Women make up 49% of UK driving licence holders, yet research suggests they remain significantly underrepresented among EV drivers. 

Recent data shows that just one-third of all EV drivers are female, compared to a perfectly balanced 50/50 split among petrol car owners. 

At the same time, despite rapid growth in electric mobility, women remain underrepresented in many of the sectors shaping the EV transition. For example, EngineeringUK reports that women made up just 15.7% of the UK engineering and technology workforce.

When women are missing from EV ownership and from the teams building the transition, the industry risks designing for a subset of drivers and slowing the move from early adopters to the mainstream.

Global Women in EV Day is launching to help the sector move beyond celebration and towards practical action, because if women’s needs and experiences aren’t designed in, the transition risks being designed out of reach for millions of drivers. Underrepresentation can translate into real-world friction: from how charging is located and lit, to how affordability is communicated, to whether drivers see themselves and their needs reflected in EV marketing.

Founded by Gill Nowell of Hosted by Gill, Global Women in EV Day creates an annual moment for companies and allies across the EV ecosystem to make visible, measurable commitments, amplifying women’s voices, recognising leadership, and embedding equity into one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

Gill 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 campaign is supported by a network of founding partners from across the EV and energy sector, including Autotrader, Amplify EV, Octopus Electroverse, Zapmap, Zemo Partnership, GreenFleet, EV FirePro (Australia), The Green Cab (South Africa), Sinewave, EVA England, Electra Connect, Osprey Charging Network, ChargeWise CX, EVEREC, and many more.

Rachel Beaton, commercial director at the Octopus Electroverse EV public charging network, 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, co-founder 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.”

Amiene van der Merwe, founder of The Green Cab, said: “In South Africa, electric mobility is not just about climate - it’s about access, jobs and opportunity. Global Women in EV Day shines a light on the women building cleaner, more gender-equitable transport systems, and on putting women firmly in the driver’s seat of the green economy. We’re proud to support that mission.”

Ian Plummer, chief customer officer at Autotrader, said: “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.”

The UK launch event on 10 February will bring partners, supporters and allies together for the premiere of the Global Women in EV Day launch film, followed by panel discussions on leadership, resilience, mentoring and the future of clean mobility.

The plan is for Global Women in EV Day will take place annually, with 2026 marking the first ever global celebration.

Global Women in EV Day

Founding partner commitments

• EVA England pledges to support Global Women in EV Day by championing women’s voices, participating in and hosting events, and exploring mentoring and inclusive recruitment initiatives.
• Amplify EV and Sinewave pledge to champion women in EV by driving visibility through events, opening doors through mentoring, ensuring inclusive recruitment, and supporting STEM outreach for the next generation.
• Electra Connect pledges to amplify women’s voices across the EV and sustainability space, including nominating women for speaker opportunities at its events and supporting wider visibility wherever they can.
• EVEREC has pledged to support the important work being done to increase representation and opportunities for women across the electric vehicle sector, helping to ensure more women are visible, supported and able to progress in this fast-growing industry.
• Octopus Electroverse pledges to host events, champion initiatives, and advance Octopus’s wider commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to shine.
• Electric Vehicles UK has pledged to amplify women’s voices across the EV conversation, champion real-world driving experiences, and support all drivers to transition to electric with confidence. 
• GreenFleet has pledged to amplify the voices and successes of women in the EV fleet industry through their magazine and event content, helping ensure women’s expertise, leadership and lived experience are seen, heard and celebrated across the sector.
• EV FirePro has pledged to support gender equity in the EV industry through inclusive recruitment, visible female leadership, and active advocacy for women working in EV safety and infrastructure – an area that is critical to trust, resilience and progress in the transition.
• Zapmap has pledged to launch and expand mentoring schemes to empower the next generation of women leaders in the electric vehicle industry - a practical, long-term investment in talent, confidence and progression across the sector.
• Osprey Charging pledges to launch a mentoring and reverse mentoring programme for women at Osprey this year.
• Autotrader has made a pledge to share what they’ve learned over the last decade in building a more diverse and inclusive culture - from development and recruitment programmes to active employee networks and beyond. 
• Zemo Partnership has pledged to actively participate in or host Global Women in EV Day events, helping to create spaces for connection, visibility and practical action across the sector.
• Net Zero Evolution has pledged to maintain gender-neutral recruitment processes and to proactively offer free support to businesses looking to attract more female candidates. They will also provide free mentoring to women who want to enter the EV sector or take the next step in their careers.
• EZOO has pledged to share stories of the women powering the EV transition across their network - helping to increase visibility, recognition and representation for the people shaping the future of electric mobility.
• Drax EV has pledged to champion visibility and representation, celebrating the achievements of women across EV infrastructure, installation and innovation - areas that are absolutely critical to delivering the transition at pace and at scale.
• The EV Musings Podcast has pledged to amplify women’s voices in EV through the podcast, and to actively champion equality and challenge prejudice across the sector - recognising the powerful role media and storytelling play in shaping who is seen, heard and trusted.
• Motorfinity is committed to championing confidence in electric vehicle ownership through clear, straightforward communications that make EVs feel accessible, while actively amplifying women’s voices across the EV space.