Parents that have switched to electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid vehicles say their current cars are more effective in helping young children fall asleep than the previous petrol or Diesel cars they have owned, according to the latest research by Citroën UK.
In a study of 2,000 UK parents with babies and young children*, 56.4% of those owning an electrified vehicle said their child found it either as easy or easier to nod off in their current car, compared to petrol or Diesel models they had previously owned. Just 11.9% said an electrified vehicle made it harder to get their children off to sleep, while 15.8% were unsure either way. Nearly half (44%) of all the parents surveyed said they had taken their child on a short car journey specifically to help them fall asleep.
Citroën UK’s research also highlighted how effective using a car can be to help kids have a snooze, with the data showing that on average it takes a child 16½ minutes to fall asleep in a car, with 96% of parents saying their child typically falls asleep in 30 minutes or less.
The top factors that parents felt were most beneficial in helping babies and young children fall asleep on a car journey, were the gentle movements of the vehicle on the road (46%), a comfortable in-car temperature (41%) and a comfortable car seat (40%). More than a third of parents (34%) told Citroën that they find a smooth drive to be the most important factor to help their child nod off.
Recognising the benefits for drivers and passengers of all ages, Citroën’s latest vehicle range is developed to provide optimum in-car comfort while travelling, enhanced further in Citroën’s electrified models, which all offer the serenity of ‘ë-Comfort’ thanks to a calm, refined and near-silent driving experience in all-electric mode.
Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Programme® – including Advanced Comfort Suspension® that remains exclusive to the Citroën brand – uses Progressive Hydraulic Cushions® to absorb bumps in the road, ensuring a serene and comfortable ride for all. Citroën also uses an enhanced seat design with a core of high-density foam and an additional 15mm top layer of textured foam to provide maximum comfort and support.
Eurig Druce, Citroën UK’s Managing Director, said: “For new parents, getting their baby off to sleep is often a challenge. Taking a child for a short drive in a car is a tried and tested method for many parents, and our research shows it can help younger children fall asleep quicker than at home. The smooth and silent drive from electric vehicles creates an even more calming environment for children and parents alike. Citroën is committed to offering an electrified variant of every vehicle in the range by 2025. So, everyone can rest assured, our models will continue to provide a calm and relaxing experience for the whole family for many years to come.”
Citroën already offers an affordable range of nine electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, including several models that are ideally suited to families. The all-electric ë-C4 features a 50kWh battery with a WLTP-certified range of up to 219 miles, while the larger ë-Berlingo Electric offers either five or seven-seats, and a range of up to 174 miles (WLTP). Both models are capable of 100kW rapid charging, meaning an 80% re-charge takes as little as 30 minutes. New C5 X and New C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrid models combine a 180hp petrol engine with an 80kW electric motor, offering drivers up to 38 miles (WLTP) of Equivalent All-Electric Range.
