Nearly a quarter of parents have been encouraged to buy an electric vehicle – by their kids.

More than a third (36%) of these put it down to what they have been learning in school about environmental issues, and 35% said their kids want one because they are cool.

While 33% believe they have been influenced by their favourite TV shows and YouTubers.

The study of 2,000 adults found, of the parents polled, 87% have gone on to explore the possibility of purchasing one as a result of these conversations.

Nearly half (48%) of mums and dads have chatted about other sustainable travel solutions with their little ones – like taking more public transport where possible.

Whereas, 36% have been warned about the impact of driving petrol and diesel cars by their kids.

In light of the results, model and car enthusiast Jodie Kidd was dared to take on the challenge of being ‘electrocuted’ by millions of volts.

She took on the death-defying feat which saw her slip into a chainmail Faraday suit on a raised platform as her only form of protection.

The suit protected Jodie because it is designed to conduct electricity, meaning the charge remained on the outside of the suit, rather than travelling inside.

Once the ‘lighting machine’ was powered on, within moments deadly levels of electricity were coursing around the suit.

As well as protecting her, the Faraday suit also enabled her to control the currents with her fingertips and even shoot streams of lighting from her hands.

Jodie was dared by Kia as it launches its new electric family car, the EV9.

She said: “Being ‘electrocuted’ was one of the most petrifying things I’ve ever done – but able to shoot lighting with their fingers’.

The results also found 52% admit they have been surprised about how clued up their children are when it comes to going green.

And 53% of parents recognise that seeing more electric cars on the road will set a good example for youngsters growing up.

Jodie Kidd added: “As a parent, I know exactly how important the environment is to the next generation.

“I have had many conversations with my son Indio about what we can do to live more sustainably - including buying an electric car.”

When asked about considering a more sustainable car, the motorists polled said environmental reasons (46%) are the most common driving force behind this.

And 29% are contemplating it because of the new law coming in at the start of the 2030s.

On average, by 2026 is when they think they will eventually ditch the fuel motors for an electric model, the OnePoll.com study found.

A spokesperson from Kia, which commissioned the research to highlight its new EV9, said: “The future is electric, and that’s exactly what we wanted to convey in our striking stunt with Jodie shooting lightning bolts.

“But as our research shows, many of today’s youngsters are already behind the idea of having more and more electric vehicles on our roads.”