Jodie Kidd plays with 1M volts in Kia EV9 launch

Model and car enthusiast Jodie Kidd shot lightning bolts from her hands as part of a stunt coinciding with the Kia EV9 launch.

Sitting on a raised platform and protected from a ‘lightning machine’ by a chainmail Faraday suit to conduct electricity around her, Kidd controlled electricity with her fingertips and shot streams of lightning from her hands.

The ‘lightning’ photography was then combined with shots of a futuristic-looking Kidd for the launch of Kia’s new six- or seven-seat EV9 SUV.

‘I have had many conversations with my son Indio about what we can do to live more sustainably – including buying an electric car,” says Kidd.

The EV9 features ultra-rapid charging, long range, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology.

Many elements of the EV9 include recycled PET plastic.

First UK deliveries start in January 2024, with pre-orders already open there.

The launch comes as new research, commissioned by Kia, reveals that more than 26% of parents have been encouraged to buy an EV by their children.

More than a third of these (36%) says it’s through learning about environmental issues at school, and 35% says their children want an EV as they are ‘cool’. A third (33%) believe children have been influenced by their favourite TV shows and YouTubers.

The study of 2000 adults found 87% of parents have considered purchasing an EV because of these conversations.

Of motorists polled, 40% are considering getting a more sustainable vehicle, with environmental reasons (46%) the most common driving force and 29% considering an EV because of a new law banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 in the United Kingdom.

Most drivers reckon they’ll have an EV by 2026.

The EV9 is Kia’s new flagship EV and is one of 15 fully electric models the brand is launching globally by 2027.