Women hold 49 percent of UK driving licences, but the electric vehicle transition continues to be shaped around a narrower slice of drivers, according to a new campaign launching next week. Organisers behind Global Women in EV Day say the lack of female representation among EV drivers and across the sector risks slowing the move from early adopters to mass uptake.
Global Women in EV Day will launch on 10 February 2026 at Octopus Electroverse’s headquarters in London. The campaign is positioning gender imbalance not only as an equity concern, but as a structural issue for adoption across car manufacturing, charging, energy and mobility.
Data shows women make up almost half of UK driving licence holders, yet they remain underrepresented among EV drivers. Research cited by the campaign indicates that only around one third of EV drivers are female, compared with a near-even split among petrol car owners. Campaign organisers argue this gap creates blind spots in how vehicles, charging infrastructure and services are designed, marketed and rolled out.
The imbalance is mirrored within the industries shaping the transition. EngineeringUK figures show women account for just 15.7 percent of the UK engineering and technology workforce. With women missing both from ownership and from decision-making roles, the sector risks designing systems around a limited set of use cases, according to the campaign.
Global Women in EV Day has been founded to push the sector beyond one-off celebrations towards practical commitments. Organisers say underrepresentation can translate into everyday friction for drivers, from how charging locations are chosen and lit, to how affordability and range are communicated, and whether people see themselves reflected in EV advertising.
The initiative was founded by Gill Nowell of Hosted by Gill, who says the EV transition presents a rare opportunity to build a more inclusive industry if equity is considered early rather than retrofitted later.
“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,” Nowell said. “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 structured as an annual moment for companies and allies to make visible and measurable commitments. Its stated aims include amplifying women’s voices across the EV ecosystem, recognising leadership, and embedding equity into the development of one of the fastest-growing areas of the energy transition.
Support for the launch is coming from a growing group of Founding Partners across the EV and energy landscape. These include Autotrader, Amplify EV, Octopus Electroverse, Zapmap, Zemo Partnership, GreenFleet, EV FirePro in Australia, The Green Cab in South Africa, Sinewave, EVA England, Electra Connect, Osprey Charging Network, ChargeWise CX and EVEREC.
Ian Plummer, Chief Customer Officer at Autotrader, said the company sees its involvement as an extension of its wider diversity and inclusion work across the automotive sector.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Octopus Electroverse will host the first Global Women in EV Day event at its London headquarters. Rachel Beaton, Commercial Director at the company, said the transition must reflect the full diversity of drivers if it is to succeed.
“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,” Beaton said. “The transition to electric mobility must put all drivers at the centre, regardless of their gender or background.”
Other partners point to the link between representation, leadership and long-term success. Melanie Shufflebotham, Cofounder and COO at Zapmap, said backing the campaign aligns with efforts to support women into senior roles across the sector.
“Supporting women to grow, lead and thrive in EV is essential to the success of the transition,” she said. “We’re delighted to back Global Women in EV Day and to invest in mentoring and leadership pathways for the next generation.”
The campaign also has an international focus, reflecting how access to clean mobility intersects with jobs and economic opportunity in different regions. Amiene van der Merwe, Founder and Director of The Green Cab in South Africa, said the initiative resonates beyond climate goals alone.
“In South Africa, electric mobility is not just about climate – it’s about access, jobs and opportunity,” she said. “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.”
The sold-out UK launch event on 10 February will bring together partners, supporters and allies for the premiere of the Global Women in EV Day launch film. The programme will also include panel discussions covering leadership, resilience, mentoring and the future of clean mobility.
Global Women in EV Day will take place annually, with 2026 marking its first global celebration. Organisers say the long-term aim is to help ensure the next phase of EV growth is shaped around the needs and experiences of the full driving population, rather than a narrow early-adopter base.
