Trained in soldering, she had hoped to pursue a career in electrical work but instead spent her time hemming saris for her husband's tailor shop in Pune, India. However, two years ago, she was able to secure a job in the growing electric vehicle sector. Kumbhar's ambition, previously hindered by motherhood and safety concerns, has now been realized as she works in a factory assembling circuits for EV speedometers. This job marks her first formal employment with a fixed salary. She is part of a small but increasing number of women seizing opportunities in India's expanding EV industry, driven by rising sales and government policies promoting cleaner energy. Despite challenges such as safety issues and lack of charging stations, the demand for EVs is surpassing supply, leading to more job opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Kumbhar expressed her satisfaction with her stable job and financial independence while working in an all-female shop-floor at Kinetic Communications, a manufacturer of EV components and a subsidiary of Indian auto-maker Kinetic Group. She mentioned to the Thomson Reuters Foundation that her soldering skills are impressive and that she may be in line for a promotion, which has always been her aspiration. The factory where she works has a workforce that is predominantly made up of women, which is uncommon in India where only 20% of women are employed. India has one of the lowest rates of female participation in the workforce globally, with only 47% of women employed or seeking employment compared to 74% of men. The gender gap in India was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly half of women losing their jobs in both formal and informal sectors during lockdowns and not returning to work by the end of 2020, according to research. Over the past two years, there has been a significant increase in sales of electric vehicles in India, leading to more opportunities for women in manufacturing, design, and leadership roles. Unlike traditional manufacturing of internal combustion engine vehicles which requires heavy machinery, electric vehicle companies focus on electronics, assembly, software, and design - areas where women have more widely available skill-sets, according to industry analysts. Labour rights advocates see women's advantage in the electric vehicle industry as a chance to improve their pay and status in the workplace. Rashmi Urdhwareshe, president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, pointed out that startups in the electric vehicle industry are introducing new ideas and are not constrained by conventional male-dominated workforces like traditional auto companies. Companies like Ola Cabs and Piaggio have recently established all-women shop-floors in their Indian factories. Kinetic Green, Hero Electric, and Ather Energy are planning to expand their operations and hire predominantly women. Esmito Solutions and major EV manufacturers Kinetic Green and Mahindra Electric are led by women, as is the energy transition company of the federal power ministry. Urdhwareshe, one of the few women in India's automotive industry in the 1980s, believes that women have the necessary mindset to overcome the challenges of a growing business due to their focus on safety and value for money. However, she notes that there are still not enough women in the industry, but those who are present serve as examples for others. The Mahindra e2oPlus, operated by Ola, is pictured at an electric vehicle charging station in Nagpur, India on Jan 24, 2018. REUTERS/Aditi Shah captured the moment when Mahindra's e2oPlus, used by Ola in India, was seen at an electric vehicle charging station in Nagpur on January 24, 2018. Prabhjot Kaur, the CEO of Esmito, a startup that produces batteries and battery-swapping stations for electric vehicles, recalls facing bias in meetings where she was often the only woman present. Despite being mistaken for a secretary, Kaur confidently took the floor to make her presentations, leaving a lasting impression on those who underestimated her. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the CEO of Kinetic Green, has also experienced similar challenges in her career. After completing her education at university and returning from the United States in the mid-1990s, she joined her family's automotive business. However, she was met with skepticism from the staff who believed she was just a privileged daughter who would not stay for long. Motwani, 51, and Kaur have encountered challenges that are common for women in the electric vehicle corporate world, such as a lack of female facilities and not being taken seriously by colleagues. On a more positive note, many female leaders and workers on the shop floor shared that their parents, especially their fathers, were supportive and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations. Kaur, who grew up in Rajpura, a small town in Punjab state, credits her determination to her experience of being the only girl in a karate class of 50 teenagers. Kaur initially did not want to go, but her father convinced her to go. Despite feeling angry about the situation, she channeled that emotion into becoming the best student. This experience also taught her not to be afraid of her surroundings, especially large groups of men. As a child, Motwani spent time in her grandfather's office drawing on its walls. Even after obtaining a degree from Carnegie Mellon University, she still had to demonstrate her skills and prove herself in the industry. Motwani expressed her gratitude for the platform she was given by stating that she returned to work only four days after giving birth to her baby. She recalls her early days when she traveled to 200 districts to familiarize herself with the firm's dealership network. In addition to female CEOs, there are many women factory workers like Nasreen Banu, who at 25, became the first woman in her family to pursue education and secure a job. She works as a production supervisor on the battery assembly line at Ather, a scooter manufacturer, and is determined to challenge stereotypes about what women are capable of. Despite the belief that girls cannot lift a 25 kg battery, she confidently does so and expresses her love for the job. In New Delhi, Mahua Acharya leads Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), an energy transition company under the federal power ministry, promoting e-mobility for all. With a background in environmental management from Yale and experience in green finance, renewable energy, and carbon markets, Acharya sees leading CESL as a chance to increase the presence of electric vehicles on Indian roads. She focuses on developing business models and creative strategies to increase the number of EVs on the road. Government incentives and tax benefits have led to a rise in EV production and sales, with about a million currently on the road, making up nearly 2% of all vehicles in India. CESL aims to boost these numbers by expanding charging stations, providing easy loans for buyers, and ordering public transport vehicles in bulk to lower costs. However, Acharya's goal of achieving scale is hindered by challenges such as vehicle shortages, limited battery and semiconductor supplies, safety concerns, and a lack of charging stations powered by fossil fuels. She, as a female leading the government's efforts to promote e-mobility, has not personally experienced any bias, even though she is often the only woman in meetings with 15 men. In her view, women bring attention to issues that men overlook, such as emphasizing the need for EV charging stations to be located in safe areas rather than just focusing on electricity and land availability. Some in the industry appreciate the unique perspective and insights that women bring. Sohinder Singh Gill, CEO of Hero Electric and director general of the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles, mentioned that discussions are more flexible and inclusive with women compared to men, who can be more competitive. During a meeting with male representatives from major auto brands eight years ago, the conversation solely focused on cars and Tesla, which made Motwani question the narrow scope of the discussion. She raised her voice above the noise to point out that in India, 90% of people used two- and three-wheeled vehicles or buses, with only 10% driving cars. Her persistence led to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers creating a focus group on two and three-wheelers, which she was asked to lead. This opportunity allowed her to have a positive impact on India's new policy for electric vehicles, focusing on environmentally friendly transportation for the masses. Despite concerns about safety, the growing demand for EVs in India has created excitement in the industry, with CEOs of EV companies optimistic that the sector will make up 30% of all vehicle sales before India's target year of 2030. Policy experts are praising the unprecedented efforts of Indian states to promote the switch to electric vehicles, which is expected to help reduce crude oil import costs and move India closer to its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070, as stated at the COP26 summit in Glasgow last November. However, despite the positive image portrayed by new EV users on social media, the industry is facing significant challenges such as e-scooters catching fire and a shortage of charging points, leading to a decline in consumer confidence. For example, Delhi resident Dolly Maurya, 26, recently purchased an electric rickshaw with a state subsidy, but she worries about the lack of charging stations in the city, with only around 600 available. She is concerned about what she would do if the battery runs out while she is out and how she would get the vehicle home. Maurya, who is looking to use the vehicle for part-time work while preparing for a government job entrance test, asked about concerns among EV users as sales increase. Esmito's Kaur is troubled by recent cases of e-scooters catching fire and believes it is worrisome for the industry's growth. Kaur, who plans to expand her manufacturing operations currently located in the IIT research park in Chennai, is also the founder of the Centre for Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles. She collaborates with auto companies to develop safer batteries as an alternative to fossil fuel engines, emphasizing the need for more research and development in this area. She explained that most companies, numbering over 400, import parts and then assemble them. She emphasized the importance of adapting everything to fit their environment and needs. Kinetic Green's Motwani partnered with non-profit groups and states to support the building of a consumer base from scratch five years ago. They subsidized electric three-wheeler rickshaws as a new source of income for women in insurgency-hit Dantewada in eastern India, and bicycle rickshaw pullers in northern Uttar Pradesh state. Motwani highlighted that they presented electric vehicles as a way to earn a living with minimal operating costs. She mentioned that individuals could operate the e-rickshaw and make 1,000 rupees ($13) per day, with the company taking care of servicing. Motwani, who believes in the Hindi saying "jo dikhta hai woh bikta hai (what you see, sells)", was seated next to a cabinet displaying numerous business leadership awards. Acharya from the federal government is advocating for state agencies that run public buses to hire more female drivers. She believes that this job offers good pay, set hours, and the certainty of when they can return home, which is something women desire. The Delhi government has recently eliminated height requirements for bus drivers to encourage more women to apply, as well as waived the 15,000 rupee fee for heavy vehicle driving licenses for women. Additionally, the city has introduced e-rickshaws, with a third of the subsidized vehicles reserved for women like Maurya. Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot stated that the initiative focuses on providing women with job opportunities and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles to enhance safety and encourage more people to use public transport. In addition to financial benefits, the increasing sales of electric vehicles in India are driven by concerns about climate change, rising fuel prices, and transportation challenges in the midst of the pandemic. For example, Mumbai resident Rajni Arun Kumar, 43, switched from using public transport to an orange e-scooter for her daily commute and taking her unvaccinated children to their activities due to concerns about crowded spaces during COVID-19. However, she is currently seeking a charging point nearby because the closest one is 3 km (1.86 miles) away and requires navigating through a traffic jam. She believes that there needs to be a point where people start taking action to help protect the environment. Companies are aware that women like Kumar play a significant role in making household purchasing decisions. According to Hero Electric's Gill, e-scooters are preferred by more women than traditional scooters because they eliminate the need for trips to fuel stations and are easier to handle. Indian women, who are price-conscious, also prioritize practical features when making purchases, as stated by Prerana Chaturvedi, co-founder and CEO of Evolet India, an EV startup located near Delhi in Gurgaon. Chaturvedi, a former military aviator in the Indian Air Force, stated that the scooter from Ather has a lower seat height and clean edges to prevent scarves and saris from getting tangled. He believes that electric vehicles should be easy to operate, similar to cell phones. Ather's factory is located off the highway connecting Chennai to Bengaluru, passing through the industrial town of Hosur and rose plantations. Banu, who works at Ather, comes from a village in Bhatkal, Karnataka, and appreciates the independence her job has provided. Despite wanting to work in a bank or office, her father encouraged her to join the auto industry, believing she could do anything boys could do. She talked about her admiration for her "hero" as tears welled up in her eyes while working on batteries, which are crucial for an electric scooter. Banu, who holds a diploma in electrical engineering and electronics, is one of many who have completed courses at industrial training institutes before entering the workforce to enhance their skills. TeamLease Digital, a recruitment agency that identifies talent for EV companies, reported a 30% increase in hiring of both men and women in the past two years, with a projected 40% growth by the end of 2022. The government anticipates that the EV sector will generate 750,000 jobs in the next five years. Munira Loliwala, the business head at TeamLease Digital, estimated that there have been over 200,000 new job opportunities in the past six months alone, with a particular demand for women. "It's similar to when mobile manufacturing started in India. Women were needed for handling small pieces delicately due to their thinner, more agile fingers," she explained. Likewise, chip manufacturing for electric vehicles involves precise soldering, welding, and assembly, increasing the demand for women in both shop-floor and design and production roles. "Women leaders are already motivating many to join," Loliwala added. While welcoming the new job opportunities for women, labor and gender advocates emphasized the need for electric vehicle companies to implement strong measures to protect labor rights and ensure equal pay. In industries like clothing, which also predominantly employs women, female workers are often chosen because they are seen as easier and cheaper to hire. Preeti Oza, coordinator of the non-profit Centre for Labour Research and Action, explained that women are often paid less than men for the same job, which helps to keep production costs low and leads to fewer issues for employers. She noted that women tend to rush home after work, are less likely to collectively voice their demands, and are hesitant to join unions, which makes them preferred hires. However, Banu is an exception as she is determined to continue working even after getting married, finding comfort in the compact Ather factory where she feels at home. She fondly remembers the day she confidently told her father she could dismantle an Ather scooter and put it back together at the bus station. She said he chuckled loudly and mentioned that the owner could potentially be offended. He was very pleased with her accomplishments.