Women hold 49% of UK driving licences, but the EV transition is still built for the other half, warns new Global Women in EV Day campaign

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, with a clear message to the car manufacturing, charging, energy and mobility sectors: the EV gender gap isn’t just an equity issue, it’s an adoption issue. Women make up 49% of UK driving licence holders,1 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.2

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 workforce3. 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.

She 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 growing network of Founding Partners from across the EV and energy ecosystem, 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, Green Car Guide and many more. Ian Plummer, Chief Customer Officer at Autotrader, the UK's largest automotive marketplace, commented: “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, Europe’s largest 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, Cofounder & COO, 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, The Green Cab Founder & Director, 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.” The sold-out 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.

‘Global Women in EV Day’ will take place annually, with 2026 marking the first ever global celebration.