The Young Designer Imagining a Greener Future for Cars

For Sophia Jones, imagining the cars of the future was more than a creative school project. Her idea became a way to show how young people can combine technology, creativity and environmental thinking.

The primary school pupil from Pontypridd has been named Environmental Champion 2026 at the Child of Wales Awards after winning a competition to design a car for the future.

An Idea That Started With a Drawing

Sophia took part in the Car of the Future Design Challenge, a competition organised by Cardiff City FC Community Foundation in partnership with Lotus and its authorised retailer, HR Owen.

Children from primary schools across South Wales were invited to imagine what cars might look like in the future and present their ideas through drawings and designs.

A Car Designed With the Planet in Mind

Sophia’s winning concept combined futuristic technology with environmentally friendly features. Her design included solar panels, self-driving technology and eco-friendly wheels.

The judges praised the way she combined an ambitious futuristic appearance with ideas inspired by the development of next-generation electric vehicles.

Her Design Stood Out From the Competition

Sophia’s entry was selected from seven shortlisted designs after several primary schools across South Wales took part in the challenge.

Other pupils also came up with imaginative ideas, including airless tyres, built-in wind turbines, self-healing paint and technology designed to help drivers navigate roads.

The competition gave children an opportunity to think about how engineering and sustainability could work together rather than treating them as separate ideas.

From Classroom Creativity to a National Award

Sophia’s achievement was recognised at the fifth annual Child of Wales Awards, held at Swansea Building Society Arena on 2 October. Around 700 guests attended the event celebrating young people from across Wales.

Her family and school representatives joined her at the ceremony as she received the Environmental Champion Award.

Encouraging Young People to Think About the Future

The project was designed to show children that ideas about sustainability and technology can begin at a very young age. By asking pupils to imagine the vehicles of tomorrow, the challenge encouraged them to think creatively about real-world problems.

Sophia’s success is a reminder that big ideas do not always begin in laboratories or engineering companies. Sometimes they begin with a child’s drawing and a willingness to imagine what could be possible.

Source: Cardiff City FC Community Foundation