From Maybe to Ready: Helping Women Go Electric

Last Updated on: 17th July 2025, 11:24 am

For over a century, we’ve been tethered to fossil fuels without freedom to choose how we power our homes and communities. But now, the path is clear, says Generation 180 — we are in a new energy era. Renewables have surpassed fossil fuels. Wind and solar are now less expensive than oil, gas, and nuclear power. Clean energy jobs were the fastest growing US occupations in 2022. Every 90 seconds, another US household goes solar.

Millions of drivers are choosing to ditch gasoline and drive electric cars. Communities are taking action: schools and town halls are going solar and switching to electric buses and fleets. The new energy reality means you can now choose clean energy in your home or community. You can play a meaningful role — now more than ever.

And Generation 180 wants you to step up. The national nonprofit is working to inspire and equip people to take action on clean energy in their homes and communities. They lead national education campaigns to electrify homes, buildings, and transportation — the biggest sources of carbon emissions. By partnering with artists and storytellers, Generation 180 works to change the climate narrative from gloom and doom to “We Got This!” and give people meaningful ways to take action toward a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable energy future.

I’m a fan of their work, and I have included references to their work in occasional CleanTechnica articles. It’s part of my overall quest to support climate solutions. We all can narrow our individual carbon footprints, share clean energy information, divest from fossil fuel companies, invest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) conscious companies. We can join in public discourse through attending meetings, contacting our legislators, supporting climate-conscious candidates. We can pledge to move to an energy transition sufficient to keep the planet below a temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030.

And we can support the work of organizations like Gen180, which are making a real impact to help us all understand how our energy choices matter.

The following article was originally published by Generation 180 as part of a series to give women more information to go electric.

For Carolyn Fortuna, the decision to switch to electric vehicles wasn’t just about driving a cleaner car; it was about making a greater impact.

Over 10 years ago, she traded in her summer sports car for a used Nissan Leaf and hasn’t looked back. It was practical, yes, at a low cost and with low maintenance, but also ideal for her lifestyle. The Leaf made for “a great additional car in our family’s fleet,” she writes. “It was a fine entrée into the world of EVs.”

Today, Carolyn has gone electric and stayed there. She currently owns a Chevy Bolt and a Tesla Model Y and can’t imagine going back to a gas-powered car. But her story isn’t just about a personal lifestyle change. It’s about making space for other women to follow.

“Women especially perceive EVs to be too expensive and the charging infrastructure to be too elusive. Importantly, a lack of awareness and confusion about what it means to drive all-electric is still prevalent for lots of women today.”

In her recent story for CleanTechnica, “I Took The Pledge To Help Other Women Switch To Electric Vehicles,” Carolyn reflects on what keeps many women from making the leap to electric. The reasons are real: “Women especially perceive EVs to be too expensive and the charging infrastructure to be too elusive.” She writes, “Importantly, a lack of awareness and confusion about what it means to drive all-electric is still prevalent for lots of women today.”

That’s why Carolyn signed on as EV ambassador with Generation180 as part of a growing national network of everyday drivers helping others go electric. Over 6,000 people across the country have joined the effort, sharing stories, hosting test drives, and mentoring new EV-curious drivers in their neighborhoods.

For Carolyn, that decision was simple. “I signed on, agreeing ‘to help accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.’ That’s easy – I can’t ever see myself buying another internal combustion engine vehicle. ”

And this work matters. While women own half of all vehicles in the US, they only represent 30% of EV owners. As Carolyn puts it, “Wouldn’t you think that women, who play a pivotal role in environmental matters and are essential in improving environmental standards, would have a greater interest in EVs?”

They do, but they need support, stories, and space to see themselves in the clean energy transition. Which is where Generation180’s I’ll Drive What She’s Driving campaign comes in. The campaign highlights stories and videos of women EV owners across the U.S, why they switched to electric, and what they love about the experience.

Carolyn’s journey mirrors that of many EV Ambassadors across the country, that peer-to-peer outreach has a unique and persuasive power. Offering a friend a ride. Showing someone how you plug in while at the grocery store. Answering a quick question about how to charge at home. These moments are what help people move from ‘maybe to ready’ in their EV journeys.

That’s why Carolyn’s work, and the work of other women taking the pledge, is so important. “Climate action can take on a variety of forms,” she writes. “Sometimes it’s about changing consumption and mobility patterns. At other times, it is about everyday living habits.”

Thanks for the shout-out! Generation 180 outlines how there are so many reasons to make your next ride electric.

• Electric vehicles require less maintenance and save you money over time.
• They’re quiet and fun to drive.
• You can improve your community’s air quality when you drive an EV.
• Driving electric is an impactful way for you to take part in America’s transition to clean energy.

The National Going Electric Pledge encourages individuals across the country to commit to making their next car electric, accelerating the commitment of US residents to and awareness of electric vehicles. There are lots of reasons to drive electric, like zero tailpipe pollution, more fun to drive, and lower maintenance costs. Sign the Pledge today and join Generation180’s network of advocates committed to our country’s clean energy future.

The 10,000 EV Rides Campaign is reaching out to EV drivers who are willing to help. If you love your EV, help us spread the word. Giving rides to your friends and family is one of the best ways to recruit new EV drivers, and be rewarded yourself.