Almost two-thirds (62%) of employees who plan to get an electric vehicle (EV) as their next car said a key incentive is the benefits available through a salary sacrifice scheme, according to new research by Tusker.
The salary sacrifice car provider surveyed 5,942 UK employees for its Tusker EV driver survey 2024. It found that among drivers who already have an EV through a Tusker salary sacrifice scheme, 31% said they chose one due to the tax and national insurance savings available through salary sacrifice.
For drivers who plan to drive an EV via their employer’s salary sacrifice scheme, price, tax benefits and affordability are the main priority for 62%, while cheaper running costs was the biggest reason citied by 60%. More than half (52%) said environmental benefits would be a factor in their decision to switch to an EV.
Of the drivers who do not have a car on the Tusker scheme, and do not currently own an EV, 69% said they plan to switch in the next four years.
Kit Wisdom, managing director at Tusker, said: “It’s undeniable that company car and salary sacrifice schemes are playing a major part in supporting EV take up. Industry data shows that recent growth in EV market share could not have been achieved without the significant benefits linked to salary sacrifice. Drivers say the schemes’ tax advantages are one of the main reasons they plan to go electric or have already done so.
“We’ve also found that one of the biggest barriers to adoption of EVs is the perceived high purchase cost. This does not concern employees who choose an EV through a workplace salary sacrifice scheme as they aren’t required to pay for their car upfront. Beyond this, however, EV drivers are incredibly happy with their vehicle choices.”
