We Drive Change: Women leading the future of electric mobility

Electric mobility is changing the way cities move. But this transition can only go as far as the people who shape it, and women need to be part of those decisions, of the innovation, and of the everyday work behind it. At UEMI, this belief is what drives We Drive Change, a global initiative that puts women at the centre of cleaner, smarter and more inclusive mobility systems.

At its core, We Drive Change starts from something simple: gender equality is not an add-on to mobility. It’s what strengthens innovation, builds trust and helps solutions truly respond to people’s daily needs. Through its network of hubs, the initiative creates hands-on opportunities for women, from training and mentorship to policy support and real work experience in the e-mobility sector.

Women engaging in a We Drive Change activity focused on skills development and inclusive electric mobility.

A vision for inclusive electric mobility

We Drive Change has a clear mission: empower women through electric mobility and open doors that have been closed for too long. By highlighting the benefits of electric vehicles, promoting job creation and supporting policies that broaden access, the initiative helps cities develop mobility systems that work for everyone.

And none of this happens alone. Local governments, universities, NGOs and private companies work closely with the hubs to ensure women can learn new skills, secure meaningful roles and actively contribute to how electric mobility is planned, tested and expanded. It’s collaboration that strengthens climate action while also promoting economic inclusion and social equity.

Skills that lead to real opportunities

Across the hubs, training is built to create lasting impact. Short workshops help, but they are not enough on their own, real change comes when women can step into workplaces and learn by doing, always supported by mentors, especially women who have already made their path in male-dominated fields.

In Ghana, this approach is already visible. Solar Taxi joined the BOOST project to grow its workforce and support young talent.

“The BOOST project allowed us to onboard 50 young interns - 26 of them women - into engineering, sales, finance and operations,” says Givens from Solar Taxi. “That influx of fresh talent increased our capacity and accelerated innovation.”

Experiences like this show something important: companies that invest in inclusive hiring don’t just promote fairness, they strengthen their teams and their ability to innovate.

Young women working with Solar Taxi during their BOOST training

Local hubs, shared purpose

We Drive Change is active in Ecuador, Rwanda, India, Ghana and Morocco. Each hub works in its own context, but they all share the same purpose: improving women’s access to mobility that is safe, sustainable and empowering.

In Kochi, southern India, the MobiliseHER hub works with local partners to understand how mobility affects women’s everyday routines. For Dr. Shaly M.O., a social work professional and a leader under the Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers, these challenges are not abstract. They show up in real stories of women navigating long distances, unsafe environments and limited options.

“From my perspective, including more women in leadership and technical roles is not only a matter of equity but a necessity. Women bring a leadership style that blends emotional intelligence with analytical thinking. Their presence strengthens problem-solving and ensures systems are built with community realities in mind.”

Her words reflect what hubs see every day: when women are involved in designing, testing and guiding mobility decisions, the solutions become more inclusive, more responsive and more effective.

A growing movement shaped by women

We Drive Change continues to grow its network, strengthen partnerships and highlight the women leading these efforts. It reflects UEMI’s broader work to support cities as they move toward cleaner and fairer mobility, and shows how essential women are to making this transition a reality.

Above all, We Drive Change is a collective movement. Women leaders, organisations, companies and policymakers build this work together, shaping mobility solutions that truly respond to their communities. With every hub, every workshop and every new trainee, this movement becomes stronger.

Explore the stories, partners and hubs driving this change at wedrivechange.org.

We Drive Change