On 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 Electrifying.com team

A UK-wide survey conducted by the female-fronted website and the AA with female drivers reveals 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 saying they have concerns about their personal safety due to the location of some charging points.

The study of 3,712 female drivers also revealed 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.

A resounding 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 one in five admitting they find information about how electric cars work confusing.

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.

Ginny Buckley, founder and CEO of Electrifying.com, said: “We’re calling on policymakers 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.”