Over the past decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have become an increasingly important part of the transportation landscape, with millions now on the roads worldwide. This growth has been driven by advances in not only battery technology, electric drivetrains, and charging infrastructure, but also by policy initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

The adoption of EVs plays a pivotal role in the pursuit of a sustainable and low-carbon future, but we need the next generation of talent to choose careers in the electromobility field to maximise its potential.

To raise awareness, inspire our young people and foster the transition to a greener transportation system, my colleague Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki and I launched the Electric Avenues campaign.

Partly funded by the UK and Scottish governments through the HCI Skills Gateway based at Edinburgh Napier University, the campaign included a series of immersive workshops for young people, an escape room experience for the public, and an EV conference for academics and the industry.

A large focus of our campaign was targeted at senior school students between third and sixth year, who are considering their future careers. The series of immersive activities explored all areas of EV, allowing a peek under the hood of EVs. From games focused on the history, theory and benefits of EVs for the younger students, to conducting experiments and simulations with EVs and their high voltage systems for the older students, all aspects of electromobility were explored. Initiatives like Electric Avenue not only equip young minds with knowledge, but also kindle their passion and excitement for sustainable solutions.

The transition to EVs will create new jobs in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, technology, infrastructure development, and renewable energy. The career opportunities in electromobility are already lucrative – and are only going to grow. According to a study by The European Association of Electrical Contractors (AIE), the full electrification of the passenger car market across the UK and Europe will generate 1.2 million jobs by the year 2050.

In fact, just last month, Jaguar Land Rover-owner Tata confirmed plans to build its flagship electric car battery factory in the UK – creating 4,000 UK jobs and thousands more in the wider supply chain.

We already know that young people are more climate-conscious than those who went before, and EVs are a critical component of building a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. It’s anticipated that there will be up to 11 million hybrid or electric cars in the UK by 2030, with the Scottish Government targeting the same year to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans entirely.

To meet this demand, we need to work hard now to inspire the next generation of mathematicians, engineers and scientists to enter into the world of electromobility – they are the ones who will be driving our transition towards a low-carbon future.

Dr Stathis Tingas is a lecturer in Engineering Mathematics at Edinburgh Napier University