Cozy Coupe gets electric makeover
LV= General Insurance and ElectriX joined forces with toy car manufacturer Little Tikes to give the iconic children’s Cozy Coupe toy car a one-off electric makeover – with a survey highlighting that 54% of children want to buy an EV when they’re older.
The makeover sees the petrol cap of a modified version of the Go Green Cozy Coupe Dino replaced with an electric socket and charger and comes as new research highlights that 51% of children are worried about climate change, with 1 in 4 (25%) stating they’d like to see an increase in electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel.
According to the survey of 800 kids aged 6-12 years old, when asked how they would like to protect the planet 44% said they would like to see their own family make the jump from petrol or diesel to an all-electric model, whilst more than half (54%) of those surveyed said they will buy an EV when they’re older. The study found that kids also want to save the planet by encouraging people to eat more carrots to improve night vision and reduce the use of lights, whilst others would be happy to do their civic duty and reduce water use – by stopping brushing their teeth. There were even suggestions about sending astronauts to the sun to bring back light to save on energy costs, banning homework to save paper, replacing cars with kangaroos and even having cars powered by alternative fuels such as custard.
Researchers also explored children’s feelings about climate change, finding 67% have tried convincing their parents to be more eco-friendly, and more than half (58%) of kids believe grown-ups should be doing more to help the planet.
The research also found that 52% of those surveyed have told off mum, dad, or a guardian, for doing something that wasn’t helpful to the planet with 32% expressing concern about mum or dad driving a petrol or diesel car instead of something more environmentally friendly. The top reasons parents got a telling-off from the kids was for buying new clothes when they’ve got a wardrobe full already (32%).
Nearly seven in 10 (69%) of the children polled who are aware of climate change, learned about it at school, followed by family members (43%) and seeing information on the TV (36%).
The original Cozy Coupe was released in 1979 and has become the UK’s best-selling Ride-in toy car, with 180% more cars sold in 2022 so far. During this time, many new styles of the Cozy Coupe has been released including the Cozy Coupe Dino, Princess Cozy Coupe, Cozy Coupe Black Cab and many more. In 2016, Little Tikes launched the Go Green Cozy Coupe Dino, which is constructed from recycled plastic and packaged in recycled materials to help minimise environmental impact.
Over the years the iconic red and yellow livery and accommodating dimensions of the classic Cozy Coupe have remained a constant, but small features have been updated such as significantly altering the look from the original slimmer roof poles in 1999 and given a face lift in 2009 with cartoon eyes and a friendly smile.
According to new data, LV= and ElectriX have seen a 30% increase in electric vehicle insurance since September 2021, as more and more drivers are making the switch. To continue inspiring families to make the leap, LV= has launched ElectriX, a one-stop shop offering drivers everything they need to get on the road with an electric car – from leasing a vehicle, to buying a home charger and getting electric car insurance. LV= is also one of the largest insurers of electric cars in the UK, having launched a bespoke product in 2019.
Gill Nowell, Head of EV Communications at ElectriX, part of LV= General Insurance comments: “It’s great to see the next generation thinking about innovative ways to save the future of our planet and coming together to show their passion for a greener future. It’s clear that climate change is important to children, and we wanted to show them the benefits of using an electric car through play. However, we’re not sure some of their suggestions are ones we’ll be able to bring in long-term – certainly the kangaroos might have something to say about it!
“Switching from a petrol or diesel car to electric is something families can do to do their bit for the environment. At ElectriX we understand that making the change to an EV can be daunting, so we’re here to help with every step of the process.”
Alaina Cornish, Senior Brand Manager at Little Tikes UK, said: “The Cozy Coupe has been an integral part of so many of our lives since its launch in 1979, so we’re delighted to announce our collaborative project with LV=, with the concept of the first-ever one-off electric makeover for the Cozy Coupe. It’s the same iconic outdoor toy, brought forward with an electric charging point, socket and an all-electric dashboard. We’re hopeful the one-off iteration will spark conversations about the importance of electric vehicles for the future.”
THE TOP WAYS KIDS SUGGEST COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE:
1. Replace all petrol cars with electric cars
2. Fix things instead of replacing them with something new
3. Turn off the tap while brushing my teeth
4. Create recycling whirlpools in the sea to get rid of plastic pollution
5. Use items for crafts and activities e.g., turn a yoghurt pot into a plant pot
6. Ban homework because it uses too much paper
7. Eat more carrots so we can see in the dark and don’t have to use lights
8. Turn all the plastic cups into a big play area
9. Car powered by alternative fuels such as custard
10. Send astronauts to the sun to bring back light to save on energy costs
11. Trampolines to bounce your way around
12. Stop brushing teeth because it uses too much water
13. Cook meals for the sea creatures
14. Stop eating fish and meat
15. Ride kangaroos around instead of cars
Image courtesy of LV=/ElectriX.
Gill Nowell from ElectriX will form part of a panel taking part in a debate entitled ‘Taking action to decarbonise now’ at the upcoming Transport + Energy Forum event. The event takes place on 17 November at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre and will bring together key stakeholder groups to discuss the actions that need to be taken to reach net zero.
