American children are less environmentally friendly than their British peers: survey

American children are less environmentally friendly than their British counterparts – with only 43 per cent of children wanting an electric car for their first vehicle.

A survey of 1,000 children aged 8-16 found that young Americans would prefer to drive an older car that they could modify.

And 41 percent want a fuel-efficient car and aren’t too concerned about saving the planet.

In contrast, 17 per cent of children in the UK prefer to cycle when they are old enough to drive.

And while 39 per cent of British children think ‘everyone’ will drive an electric car in the future, only 28 per cent of Americans feel the same.

The research was commissioned by Nissan Motor Co, which created a video showing a group of kids – the Future Department – visiting the team’s headquarters to make sure the team is on track towards its electrification goals.

Trisha Jung, senior director of EV strategy and transformation for the car brand, said: “The adoption of electric vehicles is happening at different rates around the world.

“Part of the issue we’re seeing here may have to do with distance anxiety – the US is, after all, a much bigger place to drive than the UK, hence the differences in approval between children.

“But as battery and range technology evolves — and it’s happening at an incredible rate — we hope to start to see a balance.”

The study, however, found that British and American children are most likely to currently live in a household with an electric car (15 percent).

But of those who don’t, 48 per cent of UK children would like their parents or carers to get one, compared to just 34 per cent of those in the US.

And if they were Prime Minister – or President – 54 per cent of British children would like to see a law making everyone drive electric, with just 41 per cent of Americans agreeing.

Despite the ostensibly anti-EV agenda, American children are more likely to think young people can help the planet ‘a lot’ (63 percent US, vs. 48 percent UK).

However, British children are more likely to recycle, use reusable carrier bags, switch off plugs when not in use and avoid single-use plastics than their American counterparts.

But young Americans are more likely to choose used clothing, check labels at stores to make sure they’re eco-friendly, and encourage others to be greener.

And British children feel more confused about what is actually environmentally friendly than their American cousins ​​(48 percent vs. 40 percent), according to the OnePoll.com study.

Trisha Jung, for Nissan Motor Co, added: “The UK and the US have always had a ‘special relationship’ and it’s interesting to compare the next generation’s views on going green.

“On the plus side, kids on both sides of the pond seem engaged and invested in helping the planet in the years to come.

“And while the UK seems to be leading the way in terms of green action, we hope that in the near future, other countries will come together and work harder to protect our planet together.”