Europcar has called for charging accessibility to improve as new data shows over half of female EV drivers avoid certain public charging locations.

Published to mark the inaugural Global Women in EV Day (10 February 2026), the research reveals 70% of female EV drivers say they consider personal safety when choosing where to charge. And 54% avoid certain charging locations altogether.

The new Global Women in EV Day initiative seeks to celebrate, elevate and empower the women driving the transition to electric mobility, and the Europcar research underlines the importance of the location and design of EV charging infrastructure to make all EV drivers feel safe when charging their vehicle.

Sarah Clarke, consumer marketing manager at Europcar Mobility Group UK, said the findings indicate a potential blind spot when it comes to mainstream EV adoption.

“Two-thirds of women who drive EVs usually choose to charge their vehicle at home. While home charging is the cheapest, safest and most convenient charging location, more needs to be done to help women feel more secure when charging their vehicles at public charging locations.”

The research highlights a clear age divide, with younger women EV drivers far more concerned about safety when choosing where to charge.

• 75% of those aged 35-44 say personal safety influences their choice of charging location
• 65% of 55 to 65 year-olds consider safety when choosing a charging location
• 63% of 25 to 34 year-olds steer clear of specific locations, versus just 44% of those aged 55-64

When sharing advice on charging and journey planning, women EV drivers overwhelmingly stressed the importance of checking real-world range and identifying safe, reliable public charging points in advance. Practical safety tips also featured strongly, including locking doors and choosing well-lit, secure locations when stopping to charge.

Clarke added: “Everyone feels safer at EV charging locations that are well-lit, open and monitored. Visible CCTV, emergency buttons and choosing locations near busy public areas help, while apps showing occupancy and safety ratings give extra peace of mind.

“With some thoughtful design and clear safety standards, there is so much that can be done to make EV charging more secure for all drivers. And that will be critical for greater EV adoption.”