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Salary Sacrifice

Salary Sacrifice Electric Car Scheme from e-car lease

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Why choose salary sacrifice

Top reasons to use salary sacrifice

1Cost effective route for an employee to
access a brand new electric car

2

Savings around 30 – 60% on a new EV in comparison to a like-for-like PCH agreement

3

Huge range of EVs to choose from - SUVs, Hatchbacks, Estates and sports cars

4Monthly NIC saving benefits for employers

 

Salary sacrifice for electric cars (or "Sal Sac") is a great way to deliver additional benefits to your employees, with minimal cost and disruption to your business.

For your employees, it is a cost-effective way they can access the best EVs in the UK.

What is salary sacrifice?

Can I salary sacrifice an electric car?


Salary sacrifice is an arrangement between the employer and the employee whereby the employee agrees to reduce their gross salary in exchange for a non-cash benefit. In this instance, the employee will agree to give-up (or sacrifice) part of their salary in return for a new, pure electric car.

To be clear, the employee sacrifices gross salary, that is salary before Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions (“NIC”).

Whilst salary sacrifice has been available for cars for many years, the prevailing, exceptionally low Benefit-in-Kind (“BiK”) tax percentages for zero-emission vehicles mean it’s currently an exceptionally tax efficient proposition for both the employer and employee.

 

Car types

Can you only salary sacrifice an electric car?


Because the e-car lease team only offer pure electric vehicles (also known as Battery Electric Vehicles or zero-emission vehicles) we are only able to offer a scheme which utilises this type of fuel. But, as HMRC has confirmed that the particularly attractive 2% BiK tax rate will apply to EVs until at least 2024/25, as more zero emission cars are launched every month there’s little reason to offer any other cars because the tax-savings you enjoy with an EV cannot be replicated with other fuel choices.

BIK tax example

Tax year Vehicle emissions Benefit in Kind
2022/23 0 g/km 2%
2023/24 0 g/km 2%
2024/25 0 g/km 2%

Because a salary sacrifice scheme still incurs BiK, some of the tax-savings you enjoy with an EV would not be replicated with other fuel choices. For this reason, if you need to create a scheme with petrol or diesel vehicles, including any Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid derivatives, you will have to speak with another Sal Sac provider.

The good news is that the e-car lease team offer every make and model of EV available in the UK. Our whole of market approach means that we are not restricted to any specific option or brand for the employees. This choice of vehicles is essential to creating a robust scheme.

The electric car leasing experts

Why choose e-car lease?

How does e-car lease assist you and your employees?


As a credit broker, our e-car lease team have three fundamental responsibilities to the employer and employee including:

1 -

Electric Vehicle Education

Our expert team are able to provide both the employer and employee with a comprehensive understanding of vehicle electrification via our industry-leading website. This will include (but is not limited to) range, charging capabilities, charge times, charge point locations as well as key Whole of Life costs relating to charge costs, cost per mile, company car tax and charge point installation;
2 -

Contract Hire Quotations

e-car lease are a contract hire and leasing broker (not a lender). The prices we send to you are based on a leasing product which is not suitable if you wish to purchase the EV. As a broker, we work alongside a select number of finance companies who will offer a competitive deal on a new EV. All our quotes are based on a “no initial rental” (or no deposit) basis and will include all servicing, maintenance and tyres (known as a “funder-maintained” contract). As part of the process our team will identify the respective costs to both the employer and employee so that the HR / Payroll team have the requisite information; and
3 -

Scheme Setup and operation

e-car lease works alongside BCF Wessex, an industry-leading consultancy for company cars and salary sacrifice. The team at BCF Wessex work with us to support the employer to set-up a compliant scheme and support our preparation of salary sacrifice quotations and legal and tax compliant salary sacrifice agreements. While an employer can carry this out separately (see - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/salary-sacrifice-and-the-effects-on-paye) BCF Wessex will help us guide your business through the process.

FAQs

Salary sacrifice FAQs

The most common questions, answered
What is a salary sacrifice car scheme?

Salary sacrifice is an arrangement between an employer and employee where the employee agrees to reduce their gross salary in return for a new car.


How does a salary sacrifice car scheme work?

Setting up a salary sacrifice scheme is a formal process which the employer must undertake with the e-car lease team.

As a specialist EV contract hire credit broker and fleet management business, our customers will use our services to lease an EV from one of our preferred finance companies, then enter into a formal agreement with the employee to confirm the sacrifice of the gross salary. All of this must be clearly documented between all parties, and for clarity the lease agreement will not be in the name of the employee.


How does a salary sacrifice compare to a company car scheme?

Salary sacrifice and company car schemes are two distinct ways in which an employer can offer staff benefits. With a company car scheme, the employer will typically arrange a contract hire vehicle for the employee (generally including all servicing, maintenance, fuel and insurance) at no cost to the employee apart from any BiK or fuel benefit charges which may apply. There are generally no deductions from the employee’s salary with a company car scheme.

In contrast, a salary sacrifice, which does necessitate a gross salary reduction, can be used to enhance benefits for those employees who do not qualify for the company car scheme or who take a cash allowance and opted out of the company car scheme.


Why should an employer setup an electric car Salary Sacrifice Scheme?

In order to proceed with the e-car lease salary sacrifice scheme, the employer must engage our credit brokering services to arrange EVs for their employees. In doing so, the employer provides an incredible benefit to its employees at almost no additional cost to the business. Indeed, the employer will benefit from monthly NIC savings which can be used to offset any costs associated with Early Termination.

And in assisting employees to utilise new and safe electric cars, the employer will enhance staff retention and promote sustainable transport solutions which is a fundamental part of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy and the 2035 plan towards zero-emission vehicles (cars and vans).


What does an employee save on an electric car Salary Sacrifice Scheme?

As part of our employee guide to salary sacrifice, the e-car lease team has set out examples of how much an employee could potentially save. In summary, because an employee is utilising their gross salary to pay for a new car (i.e. before any NIC or Income tax) this is generally much cheaper than if an employee uses their net salary under a PCH agreement, with the added benefit of potential VAT savings because the employer actually leases the car.

In addition, our no initial rental arrangements mean there are no upfront costs nor any credit checks for the employee. While BiK tax will apply, the overall impact is nominal compared to the overall savings the employee can make. For more information, use the employee guide to compare EV examples or speak to the expert e-car lease team who can provide dedicated quotations based on the specific tax circumstances.


What does the e-car lease salary sacrifice scheme include?

As part of our salary sacrifice scheme, the employee will receive a brand-new EV including the cost of all road fund licence (VED), servicing and maintenance, tyre provisions and roadside assistance. The scheme does not include motor insurance, early termination insurance, charge points or an integrated energy solution.

Our e-car lease team can assist by introducing you to a select number of companies who can provide cost effective solutions in conjunction with the e-car lease services, but with regard to insurance where possible we would recommend adding the participants to your existing fleet insurance policy, as these tend to offer more cost effective premiums than schemes offering integrated insurance. And by including motor insurance it offers the opportunity to boost the tax savings for the employee.


Are there risks or charges under the e-car lease salary sacrifice scheme?

For an employer, there are some key facets which must be considered before creating a scheme. As each lease agreement will be between the employer and the selected finance company, the employer is fundamentally (and legally) responsible for the EV and any payments and/or charges. If the vehicle needs to be returned, then an Early Termination fee will apply – typically this is a sum equivalent to 50% of the remaining rentals. However, in some cases finance companies can offer a more favourable proposition.

At contract cessation, the EV must be returned to the finance company as there is generally no provision for an extension or vehicle purchase, and if the EV incurs excess mileage (mileage beyond the agreed contract maximum) or is damaged beyond what is considered fair wear and tear, then charges will apply. During the contract, if the employee commits parking or driving offences, then administration fees will apply (charged to the employer by the select finance company).

Finally, any items which are not covered under the vehicle warranty or the funder-maintenance package, like loss of keys or interim AdBlue / coolant refills, are the responsibility of the employer or employee.

All of these risks can be mitigated by efficient fleet management practices and robust agreements between the employer and the employee, and of course the employer NIC savings should cover the vast majority, if not all, of the early termination costs likely to be incurred during the operation of the scheme.


Is salary sacrifice on an electric car worth it?

For an employee who would otherwise lease an EV personally, a salary sacrifice scheme can offer considerable savings. The extent of the saving will depend on the employee’s individual tax position, but many employees can expect to save around 30 – 60% on a new EV in comparison to a like-for-like PCH agreement. It is also worth noting that EVs often allow for Whole of Life cost savings as they are generally cheaper to fuel, maintain and operate compared to a combustion vehicle.

With more Congestion Zones and Clean Air Zones being established throughout towns and cities in the UK, there are further savings potentially available when comparing electric v combustion. The e-car lease scheme does not allow the employee to purchase the EV at the contract end as we offer a usership product. Our team cannot provide a Lease Purchase, Hire Purchase or Finance Lease arrangement for salary sacrifice.


What steps should I take to start using salary sacrifice?

As the UK’s leading electric car experts, we are now extending our amazing, and unique, electric car suitability and assessment tools beyond Personal Contract Hire (PCH) and Business Contract Hire (BCH) customers. This means that both the employer and employee are not only guaranteed the best deal on their new EV, but it also ensures that the correct solution is utilised every time. A key part of our service is minimising the impact on employers who want their employees to embrace the electrification transition.

To help employers and employees achieve the right solution, we have produced easy to use employee guide and employer guide which you can each download and review. We suggest that you consider the e-car lease salary sacrifice scheme in-depth and read our guide to What You Could Save before speaking to our expert team.


Will new vehicles have to be electric?

With moves towards decarbonisation and sustainability, zero-emission cars are now a key part of the UK’s transport and environmental strategy. Moving towards 2035, all new vehicles will have to be purely electric.

Our customers say

e-car lease work alongside these select finance companies:

Alphabet
Novuna
LeasePlan
Lex Autolease
Santander

 

                                                                

 

e-car lease have a partnership and affiliation with:

BVRLA
Leasing Broker Federation
EVA England
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