According to a recent Auto Trader report there is a growing gender gap in electric vehicle uptake with women being left behind. In essence, the issue is about presentation. Too often, EVs are promoted on the strength of their tech and gadgets, which is a priority for only 12 per cent of women, who are much more interested in safety, reliability and cost.
“For me, the biggest factors when purchasing were the look of the car, saving money by swerving high petrol costs and making sure the car was safe for my kids,” says Bahbinder Bains, a mother-of-two from Wolverhampton who’s had her EV for six-months. “I’m really glad I made the switch to EV, I’ve saved so much money and time not having to make trips to the petrol station, and there’s barely been a noticeable rise in our electricity costs.” Here, we answer female drivers’ questions on everything from range to charging.
Are electric vehicles safe and reliable? The report revealed that 65 per cent of women considered safety the most important factor when it comes to choosing a car and so it’s vital to dispel the myths around EVs. Electric vehicles have far fewer parts than petrol or diesel cars, which means they have low maintenance requirements. For total peace of mind, EVs like Vauxhall’s Astra Electric come with an eight-year battery warranty and three years of roadside assistance.
Are electric vehicles less enjoyable to drive? Not at all. Electric vehicles are exclusively automatic so you won’t consta.
