Everywoman New Mobility Network has organized a women’s electric car tour that will commence on the 16th of October.
The race will kick off from Warsaw, Poland, pass through Riga, Latvia, and conclude in Lahti, Finland.
In total, a distance of 2400 kilometers will be covered (1200 kilometers each way).
The objective of the expedition is to promote the development of sustainable transportation while also advocating for cancer prevention and surveillance.
Furthermore, Everywoman aims to raise funds to support the chosen foundation’s activities in this field.
It’s worth noting that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, often referred to as Pink October.
Breast cancer accounts for approximately 23% of all cases in Poland and is the most common malignant tumor among women. While it is treatable, prompt action is crucial when the disease is detected.
Regarding the technical partners of the race, the first confirmed one is BMW Poland.
Indeed, a BMW electric IX1 xDrive30 will be taking part in the expedition.
The vehicle’s lightweight construction and excellent aerodynamics enable it to achieve a range of up to 440 kilometers, a crucial feature for this long-distance route.
In addition to its comfortable amenities and user-friendly infotainment system, this model offers driving safety through its advanced security systems.
Everywoman brings together women in eMobility
Katarzyna (Kasia) Sobótka, investment manager in electric mobility at Claritas Investments, decided to bring together women in the EVerywoman – New Mobility Women’s Network under the auspices of the Polish Alternative Fuels Association (PSPA).
The goal is to integrate the female community for the development of future mobility.
“I did it because I realized that in Poland, there are many more women working in mobility, and although I know some of them, there are many others I don’t know,” Sobótka explains to Mobility Portal Europe.
According to data from the European Commission, only 22% of women work in the transportation sector in Europe, 20% in the automotive sector, 22% in conventional energy, and 32% in renewable energies.
However, a 2020 McKinsey analysis showed that companies with more than 25% of women on their board of directors achieved better results.
But female participation in leadership roles within electric mobility-related companies remains low.
“I’ve been working in the industry for six years, and often I find myself as the only woman in meetings or the only panelist at conference sessions, if I’m invited,” Sobótka laments.
To encourage more women to enter the sector, Sobótka shares her personal journey: “At first, I knew nothing about electromobility, but I put in a lot of effort to learn about chargers, electric cars, regulations, and other relevant topics until I became an expert.”
However, she acknowledges that reaching her current position involved overcoming uncomfortable situations.
“Sometimes, during meetings, I realized I understood the topic better than the men and dared to express my ideas,” Sobótka comments.
“The beginning wasn’t easy, but I was determined to execute my electric mobility projects in the best possible way for users and the company,” she adds.
