Driving the charge towards a sustainable future with EVs

In February 2024, 17.7% of all new car registrations were electric cars, with 14,991 new electric cars registered. It's clear that more and more people are making the switch to sustainable transportation, but there's one group that's not quite as represented behind the wheel of EVs.

This International Women's Day, we want to explore why this gap exists and how we can bridge it. We've definitely come a long way, but there's still room for improvement when it comes to making EVs accessible to everyone, no matter who you are.

In this blog, we delve into team evec’s point of view, including their motivations for joining the movement, their favourite EVs, and their insights into the current challenges and opportunities surrounding EV adoption, particularly amongst women.

What drew you to the EV industry?

Olivia Serrage, Marketing Director comments:

“It was really the desire to drive towards a cleaner future. I really want to be part of that switch form petrol to electric and support the education that goes into that. It should be simple, and I want to help people understand electric vehicles better and clear up any misconceptions they might have.”

Jake Hudson, Regional Sales Manager comments:

“Honestly the cars. The BMW i8 was the first EV that caught my eye and got me excited about this whole new way of driving. It’s an industry that is constantly growing and it’s the next step, and I want to be a part of it!”

John Cannon, Customer Service Advisor comments:

“I’ve always had an interest in environmental sustainability. That’s why I studied environmental science at university, with a special focus on electric vehicles. So, it's pretty exciting to be working in this field now and making a difference!”

What’s your favourite EV?

Tom Bloor, Managing Director comments:

“There’s a new Lotus Evija that has just come out, it’s their new hyper car and definitely something to get excited about.”

Gary Frost, UK Sales Manager comments:

“The Tesla Model X is super cool, with all the advanced tech and the gullwing doors. I love my Tesla model Y, but the X is the only car I would swap it for.”

Jake Hudson, Regional Sales Manager comments:

“The love the one that I drive now. I drive a KIA EV 6 and it appeals to my techie side because of all its cool features, like having regular 3-pin outlets in the back seat. You can even plug in a coffee maker with an adapter! Plus, it looks really sporty, which is always a bonus.”

Olivia Serrage, Marketing Director comments:

“I’m a little bit biased because I drive a Tesla model 3 and absolutely love it. I mean the Tesla public charging system is unparalleled. But that’s not to say I’m really excited for the launch of the Volkswagen ID.2 at the end of this year as well. New, affordable options are always exciting!”

In 2024, what do you think the main obstacle is to EV adoption, particularly amongst women, is?

Ashley O’Meara, Customer Service Manager comments:

“In my experience, cars in general can sometimes feel quite intimidating as a woman, however here at evec we’re working really hard to make sure EVs and EV charging is accessible for everyone.”

Gary Frost, UK Sales Manager comments:

“It can feel a bit unsafe charging your car at night, especially in poorly lit areas. This is because you might be parked somewhere unfamiliar and away from home, relying on a public charging station instead of your own home charger.”

Jake Hudson, Regional Sales Manager comments:

“EVs are often marketed as being shiny and new, but they hardly ever mention how practical they are for everyday life. They focus on how fast they go from 0 to 60, but what we really need is more information on what it's actually like to own one. What I’d like to see now, especially from dealerships, is extra education about electric vehicle ownership. After all, most of us grew up with petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles. It's important to understand things like charging, range, and maintenance before buying one.”

How can we 'inspire inclusion' within the EV sector?

Ashley O’Meara, Customer Service Manager comments:

“Inclusion Is something that needs to be worked on. Not everyone feels like electric cars are an option for them right now. We need to make sure everyone can benefit from electric vehicles by improving charging stations and infrastructure across the country. That's a big focus for us right now.”

Jake Hudson, Regional Sales Manager comments:

“There’s no denying that public infrastructure has come a fair stretch from where it was 10 years ago, but there are still challenges especially when planning long routes.”

Gary Frost, UK Sales Manager comments:

“We need to make people feel included in the conversation by raising awareness of public chargers, where they are, and how easy they are to use.”

Olivia Serrage, Marketing Director comments:

“It’s really everything that evec stands for, our slogan is ‘for everyone’ and we mean that. We are absolutely committed to encouraging as many people to adopt the incredible technology behind EVs as possible. That involves educating people, so they don't have to worry about range anxiety or taking an electric car to the car wash, among other myths that surround EVs.”

Tom Bloor, Managing Director comments:

“For me, it’s about making the whole EV ownership more accessible for everybody. To achieve this, we need two things: first, more affordable new EVs on the market, which will eventually lead to a wider variety of used EVs at lower prices. Second, we need to build more charging stations everywhere, not just in major cities, so that people who live in apartments or rural areas can also conveniently charge their EVs.”

How can we make sure that everyone, regardless of gender or background, can enjoy the advantages of EV adoption?

Tom Bloor, Managing Director comments:

“Educating young people now will help them make an informed decision when they come to buy their first car. As more people choose EVs, we can all breathe a little easier because it's better for the environment.”

Gary Frost, UK Sales Manager comments:

“I think it comes down to awareness. There must be more education around EVs and EV charging. If more people were informed, there would likely be a greater shift towards using EVs.”

Jake Hudson, Regional Sales Manager comments:

“We need to improve the electric vehicle (EV) buying experience by providing more information and education at dealerships. But the most important thing is to build more charging stations. While 46% of homeowners do have a driveway, those that don’t are going to be relying on their workplaces and public chargers to be able to charge their cars. So, making sure there are enough chargers readily available is crucial for wider EV adoption.”

The road forward

So, what can we do? It's going to take a team effort from everyone - car manufacturers, dealerships, and us. We all need to work together to create a future where EVs are truly for everyone. Let's keep the conversation going, share our experiences, and continue to drive toward a future where sustainability and inclusivity go hand in hand. Happy International Women's Day!