March is Women’s History Month in the United States, and at Blink Charging we’re celebrating by highlighting the invaluable contributions of women to the electric vehicle (EVs) and electric vehicle charging field. From advocates to engineers, these inspiring women in leadership have played a significant role in shaping the EV landscape in the U.S. and beyond.
We’re witnessing a growing trend of women taking on active roles in the EV industry. For instance, ChargerHelp! and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator partnered to host the first All-Woman EV Charging Technician Course in autumn 2022.
As more and more women choose to pursue careers in the EV industry, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on those who are paving the way for future generations.
Clara Ford
Let’s start at the very beginning with Clara Ford, the wife of the renowned automotive giant Henry Ford. Clara played a significant role in popularizing electric vehicles before the First World War. She drove a Detroit Electric Model 47 Brougham model car, as electric cars were considered safer than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the early 20th century, which had a tendency to experience occasional explosions. Electric cars were also easier to start (no hand-cranking the engine) and drive due to their lack of gears.
While her husband focused on mass-producing internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which contributed to the decline of EVs (before their recent resurgence), Clara’s decision to drive an EV, even from a different automaker than her husband’s, was quite bold. We’re certain Clara would be proud to see the resurgence of EVs in the modern age.
Evette Ellis & Kameale Terry
Evette Ellis and Kameale Terry, the cofounders of ChargerHelp!, an EV charger repair company, are passionate advocates for diversity and inclusion in the EV field. Ellis also contributed to the Environmental and Energy Studies Institute’s Congressional briefing, Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.
They are committed to fostering greater representation of women and people of color in the EV industry, striving to create a more diverse and equitable industry for all.
Erika Myers
Erica Myers, the author of the white paper, “Why the Electric Vehicle Industry Needs More Women,” is a pioneering figure in transportation decarbonization. She was honored with the 2022 Remarkable Women in Transport Award from the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative and has been dedicated over 13 years to studying and advocating for transportation decarbonization. Throughout her illustrious career, Myers has served as the Acting Director of Global E-Mobility at the World Resources Institute (WRI) and as the Executive Director of CharIN, an organization dedicated to advocating for global EV standardization, specifically with the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector.
Ashley Horvat, Amy Hillman, Emmaline Pohnl, & Julie Peacock
In 2013, Ashley Horvat, Amy Hillman, Emmaline Pohnl, and Julie Peacock founded Women of EVs (WEV) with the aim of advocating for women in executive leadership roles within the EV industry, as well as in other sectors. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has flourished, now boasting over 700 women in leadership positions across the EV industry. Women if EV hosts regular anual conferences that attract participants from around the world. The group’s membership includes individuals from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, and various other countries.
Chelsea Sexton
Chelsea Sexton, the co-founder of EV advocacy group Plug In America, has been involved with EVs since the 1990s when General Motors was developing their first modern EV. Although that vehicle was ultimately scrapped, Sexton remained committed to the concept of vehicle electrification and forged a career out of advocating for people to make the switch to EVs. She continues to play a pivotal role in pushing for the electrification of trucks, buses, and airplanes to complement the growing light-duty EV market, as well as advocating for increased bicycle infrastructure and the development of public transit.
Dr. Shelley Francis
Dr. Shelley Francis, the co-founder and director of EVNoire / EVHybridNoire, an EV advocacy group that prioritizes diversity among EV drivers, brings a wealth of experience in medicine and public health to the table. Leveraging her background in health, she advocates for EVs as a public health and safety measure. Dr. Francis promotes EVs as a clean transportation alternative through education and outreach efforts via EVHybridNoire, a global organization with members in the U.S, Canada, and beyond.
Linda Zhang
Linda Zhang, the head engineer of the Ford F-150 Lightning, is widely recognized for her pivotal role in making electric vehicles appealing to the pickup truck crowd, a significant milestone in their adoption in the U.S. Her contribution to the EV industry in North America and beyond was so impactful that she graved the cover of Time Magazine in October 2021 for her groundbreaking work. In a podcast with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Linda expressed: “When you take a look at EVs and how it compares to a petrol vehicle, it’s actually a much simpler vehicle with a lot [fewer] moving parts, and it’s a lot more fun to drive. And as women learn more about it, and it becomes more commonplace, then there will be more women adapting to EVs.”
Conclusion
While the automotive industry has historically been male-dominated, these remarkable women from both the past and present are leading the charge to open doors for future generations of women in the EV industry. At Blink, we firmly believe that the EV industry should reflect the diversity of our society, and we enthusiastically welcome women from all backgrounds to join us in shaping a greener EV future.
If you have any questions about Blink, our chargers, or our business, please don’t hesitate to contact Blink Charging today. We’re here and eager to assist you with any inquiries you may have.