Energy services business Centrica has launched a fully electric salary sacrifice company car lease scheme for its more than 25,000 employees.
The company, which has nearly 700 Vauxhall Vivaro-e British Gas vans for engineers and 3,000 set to be delivered by the end of 2022, is operating the provision through salary sacrifice, which means that tax and National Insurance savings can be made on the lease payments.
Centrica has partnered with LeasePlan to provide a “cost-effective route” to battery-powered and zero-emission motoring for employees and has seen more than 100 cars ordered since the scheme launched this month (November). The business has pledged to reduce its vehicle emissions by making its 12,500-strong operational fleet completely electric by 2025.
Tanya Llewellyn and Abbie Brooks, who are part of the organisation’s employee benefits team, said: “The scheme offers great savings to employees and supports with making the transition to green transportation. Everyone who signs up for the scheme is offered a bundled deal including a new leased electric car, a charge point installed by British Gas engineers as well as servicing, insurance, and maintenance.”
Steve Winter, head of fleet at Centrica, explained that the business is committed to offering staff sustainable choices for their homes and transport, but availability and lead times on electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming “significant obstacles” despite having the people, infrastructure and skills to lead the transition to net zero transportation.
“Offering colleagues in the UK an electric car lease with a BG charge point installation is a big step towards supporting customers and colleagues to live more sustainably. We support policies such as the Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate that can help not only ensure the supply of EVs in the UK but should bring greater parity between the cost of electric and internal combustion vehicles,” he said.