March is Girls’s Historical past Month in america, and at Blink Charging we’re celebrating by highlighting the invaluable contributions of girls to the electrical automobile (EVs) and electrical automobile charging subject. From advocates to engineers, these inspiring ladies in management have performed a major function in shaping the EV panorama within the U.S. and past.
We’re witnessing a rising development of girls taking over lively roles within the EV trade. As an illustration, ChargerHelp! and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator partnered to host the primary All-Lady EV Charging Technician Course in autumn 2022.
As increasingly more ladies select to pursue careers within the EV trade, we’re excited to shine a highlight on those that are paving the best way for future generations.
Clara Ford
Let’s begin on the very starting with Clara Ford, the spouse of the famend automotive large Henry Ford. Clara performed a major function in popularizing electrical automobiles earlier than the First World Struggle. She drove a Detroit Electrical Mannequin 47 Brougham mannequin automotive, as electrical automobiles had been thought of safer than inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles within the early 20th century, which had an inclination to expertise occasional explosions. Electrical automobiles had been additionally simpler to start out (no hand-cranking the engine) and drive as a result of their lack of gears.
Whereas her husband targeted on mass-producing inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles, which contributed to the decline of EVs (earlier than their current resurgence), Clara’s resolution to drive an EV, even from a distinct automaker than her husband’s, was fairly daring. We’re sure Clara can be proud to see the resurgence of EVs within the trendy age.
Evette Ellis & Kameale Terry
Evette Ellis and Kameale Terry, the cofounders of ChargerHelp!, an EV charger restore firm, are passionate advocates for range and inclusion within the EV subject. Ellis additionally contributed to the Environmental and Vitality Research Institute’s Congressional briefing, Constructing Out Electrical Automobile Charging Infrastructure.
They’re dedicated to fostering larger illustration of girls and other people of coloration within the EV trade, striving to create a extra numerous and equitable trade for all.
Erika Myers
Erica Myers, the writer of the white paper, “Why the Electrical Automobile Business Wants Extra Girls,” is a pioneering determine in transportation decarbonization. She was honored with the 2022 Exceptional Girls in Transport Award from the Transformative City Mobility Initiative and has been devoted over 13 years to learning and advocating for transportation decarbonization. All through her illustrious profession, Myers has served because the Appearing Director of World E-Mobility on the World Sources Institute (WRI) and because the Government Director of CharIN, a corporation devoted to advocating for world EV standardization, particularly with the Mixed Charging System (CCS) connector.
Ashley Horvat, Amy Hillman, Emmaline Pohnl, & Julie Peacock
In 2013, Ashley Horvat, Amy Hillman, Emmaline Pohnl, and Julie Peacock based Girls of EVs (WEV) with the purpose of advocating for ladies in govt management roles inside the EV trade, in addition to in different sectors. Since its humble beginnings, the group has flourished, now boasting over 700 ladies in management positions throughout the EV trade. Girls if EV hosts common anual conferences that entice members from around the globe. The group’s membership consists of people from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, and numerous different international locations.
Chelsea Sexton
Chelsea Sexton, the co-founder of EV advocacy group Plug In America, has been concerned with EVs because the Nineties when Normal Motors was creating their first trendy EV. Though that automobile was finally scrapped, Sexton remained dedicated to the idea of car electrification and solid a profession out of advocating for folks to make the swap to EVs. She continues to play a pivotal function in pushing for the electrification of vehicles, buses, and airplanes to enrich the rising light-duty EV market, in addition to advocating for elevated bicycle infrastructure and the event of public transit.
Dr. Shelley Francis
Dr. Shelley Francis, the co-founder and director of EVNoire / EVHybridNoire, an EV advocacy group that prioritizes range amongst EV drivers, brings a wealth of expertise in medication and public well being to the desk. Leveraging her background in well being, she advocates for EVs as a public well being and security measure. Dr. Francis promotes EVs as a clear transportation different via schooling and outreach efforts through EVHybridNoire, a world group with members within the U.S, Canada, and past.
Linda Zhang
Linda Zhang, the pinnacle engineer of the Ford F-150 Lighting, is well known for her pivotal function in making electrical automobiles interesting to the pickup truck crowd, a major milestone of their adoption within the U.S. Her contribution to the EV trade in North America and past was so impactful that she graved the quilt of Time Journal in October 2021 for her groundbreaking work. In a podcast with the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Linda expressed: “If you check out EVs and the way it compares to a petroleum automobile, it’s truly a a lot easier automobile with so much [fewer] transferring elements, and it’s much more enjoyable to drive. And as ladies be taught extra about it, and it turns into extra commonplace, then there might be extra ladies adapting to EVs.”
Conclusion
Whereas the automotive trade has traditionally been male-dominated, these exceptional ladies from each the previous and current are main the cost to open doorways for future generations of girls within the EV trade. At Blink, we firmly imagine that the EV trade ought to replicate the range of our society, and we enthusiastically welcome ladies from all backgrounds to hitch us in shaping a greener EV future.
When you’ve got any questions on Blink, our chargers, or our enterprise, please don’t hesitate to contact Blink Charging as we speak. We’re right here and keen to help you with any inquiries you will have.