Fleet Evolution

Electric Car Myths: The Truth About Salary Sacrifice

It’s 2025, and yet, here we are, people still believe in electric car myths and salary sacrifice myths. Honestly, at this point, it’s like believing the Loch Ness Monster does your taxes.

But fear not! On this World Laughter Day, let’s have some fun while we bust the biggest EV and salary sacrifice myths. Because if we don’t laugh at some of these outdated misconceptions, we might just cry.

1. Electric Cars Are Expensive

Ah yes, the classic argument. “EVs are too pricey!” Well, so is buying coffee every morning, but we still do it.

Sure, the upfront cost of some EVs can seem high, but have you checked the running costs? No fuel, lower maintenance, and tax savings mean you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. With salary sacrifice, the lower the CO2, the lower the cost. April is fast approaching, so the Benefit in Kind is rising to 3%, which is still a great discount compared to your traditional petrol and diesel cars. The BIK rises by just 1% per year until 2028, so the savings are still on your side!

Did you also know with our scheme, all your maintenance is included in your monthly price? With insurance too? And with more budget-friendly EVs entering the market (hello, MG4 at £300/month!), there’s never been a better time to make the switch.

💡 Fun fact: If you fuel up once per week at £50 a pop, that’s £2,400 a year! By switching your petrol car for an EV, you could afford about 700 overpriced oat milk lattes. That’s a pretty economical trade IMO. Just saying.

With specialist overnight tariffs, such as E.ON’s Next Drive, charging your EV overnight can be seriously cheap. If your car has a 200-mile range and a 50kWh battery, a full charge on a 7kW home charger takes around 7 hours. At 6.7p per kWh, that full charge costs just £3.35 – less than a meal deal! That works out to just 1.7p per mile, compared to around 17p per mile for a petrol car doing 40mpg at £1.50 per litre. Talk about a bargain.

2. There’s No Charging Infrastructure

This one is so outdated it belongs in a museum.

There are now more EV charge points than petrol stations in the UK. So unless you’re planning a road trip to the moon, you’ll find somewhere to charge.

  • Home charging? Easy: Install a charge point and charge overnight for as little as 5p per kWh. That’s cheaper than boiling a kettle.
  • No driveway? No problem: Many workplaces now offer free EV charging (especially if they use our scheme!).
  • Out and about? Seriously? Zap-Map is right there, and both Google and Apple Maps can show you charge stations near you (or not near you!)

🤯 Reality Check: The average EV driver only needs public charging five times a year. That’s probably less than you pop into a petrol station for an overpriced snack (and regret it immediately).

The Department for Transport released a study in January 2025, documenting the rate of electric car charging infrastructure. Check out their findings here!

uk electric car charging infrastructure graph increase

3. EVs Have No Range

Ah, range anxiety… 2018 called, it wants its outdated fear back. Sure, early EVs had limited range, but today? That excuse doesn’t hold a charge.

75% of UK workers commute less than 10 miles. Even the tiniest EVs, like the Citroën Ami, could handle that. Cars now have more range than ever, even if you’re not looking to blow your budget. The MG4 gives 220 miles, the Volvo EX30 225 miles, and the Tesla Model 3? A whopping 340 miles. Not bad, right?

Higher-end EVs go even further: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 does 361 miles, and the Mercedes EQS gets 352 miles – more than enough unless you’re planning a UK-to-Europe road trip (and even then, public chargers have you covered!).

💡 EV fact vs reality: People say, “What if I need to drive 500 miles non-stop?” But let’s be honest, when was the last time you drove 500 miles in one go anyway? Or at least without stopping for a toilet break, coffee, or a questionable service station sandwich.

Still worried? Take a look at our longest-range EVs available on salary sacrifice:

  • Fisker Ocean Extreme – 439 miles WLTP
  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range – 390 miles WLTP
  • Polestar 3 – 438 miles range WLTP

Still think EVs have no range? That’s like saying you won’t get a smartphone because it might run out of battery. Charge when needed, and you’re good to go!

🚗 Range myth? Officially debunked.

If you still think EVs don’t have the range, take it from Founder and MD, Andy, who drove from Tamworth to France in his Audi e-tron! Check out the video below.

Employers Introducing the Scheme

If you're an employer looking to introduce salary sacrifice to your company, book a call to speak with the Onboarding Team below!

Employees Going Green

If you're an employee looking to find out more about green motoring through salary sacrifice, book a call to speak with the Driverline Team below!

4. Nobody Wants EVs

If you think there’s no demand for electric cars, you might also believe people still rent DVDs.

As of February 2025, there were almost 1.4 million EVs and plug-in hybrids on UK roads. The UK now has more than 38,350 charging locations, with 110,588 connectors – which is more than petrol stations (with just 8,353 petrol station sites in the UK)! EV sales keep breaking records. In fact, 100% of our orders are now for electric or hybrid vehicles.

So no, EVs aren’t some niche experiment, they’re the future. Even the manufacturers who swore they’d never go electric are now releasing EVs. And if you don’t need a full-sized car? Quadricycles are making a comeback. Think Citroën Ami, the Micro Microlino, and the old Renault Twizy – tiny, fun, and perfect for city driving. They look a bit like roller skates (or peas) with doors, but they get the job done.

The 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars means demand is only going up. More models, better technology, and more people making the switch. EVs aren’t just a trend, they’re here to stay.

💡 Fun fact: Even with rising demand, many employers haven’t realised the cost-saving benefits of EV salary sacrifice. Only 10% of decision-makers have heard of it, meaning 90% are still missing out. That’s like turning down free money.

5. Salary Sacrifice is Dead

The idea that salary sacrifice is “dead” is about as accurate as claiming flip phones are making a comeback. (Okay, bad example – some people do love a flip phone, Y2K and all that, but you get the point.)

  • Half of all company cars in the UK are now pure electric.
  • Salary sacrifice schemes have grown 68% year on year.
  • 41% of SMEs already offer salary sacrifice, and that number is rising fast.

Far from being “dead,” salary sacrifice is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive an EV.

Here’s why:

  • Big savings: You save on income tax and National Insurance, plus manufacturers offer discounts through salary sacrifice.
  • Hassle-free: Maintenance, servicing, insurance – it’s all included. No surprise costs.
  • No deposits or credit checks: Unlike personal leasing, salary sacrifice is simple and accessible.
electric car myths - dead - fleet evolution

It’s good for your wallet and the planet! Low or zero-emission vehicles mean you save money and CO₂.

And the best part? Employers win too! Offering EV salary sacrifice helps companies attract and retain talent while reducing their carbon footprint. It’s a free and valued benefit that improves employee satisfaction, both in and out of the workplace.

What Salary Sacrifice Benefits Exist?

It’s not just about EVs, salary sacrifice schemes cover all sorts of perks, including:

  • Childcare vouchers
  • Cycle-to-work schemes
  • Workplace parking
  • Extra pension contributions

But let’s be real, the company car scheme is where the biggest savings happen. With an EV on salary sacrifice, you unlock tax savings, manufacturer discounts, and lower running costs. It’s a win-win.

So no, salary sacrifice isn’t dead, it’s thriving. The real question is: why isn’t everyone doing it yet?

EV Myths: Officially DEBUNKED

Still not convinced? Why don’t we chat about it over a call?

And if you’re ready to laugh your way to lower costs, tax savings, and a greener future, get in touch. We’ve got all the info (and maybe a few more jokes) waiting for you.

🚗 Join the EV revolution today!

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Fleet Evolution offers innovative salary sacrifice schemes, helping employers and employees save on costs while promoting eco-friendly electric cars. Enjoy easy setup, free maintenance, and swift activation for any company size. 

FAQs

How much can I really save with salary sacrifice on an electric car?

Salary sacrifice lets you pay for your EV before tax, reducing your income tax and National Insurance contributions. Depending on your salary and the car you choose, you could save 30-60% compared to personal leasing. Plus, with 2% benefit-in-kind tax until 2025 (rising just 1% per year until 2028), your savings are locked in for years!

What happens if I leave my job during a salary sacrifice agreement?

If you leave your job, you may need to pay an early termination fee, but many employers offer flexible options. Some companies cover exit fees, while others allow the car to be transferred to a new employer. Always check your company’s policy before signing up!

Do I need a home charger to own an EV?

Not necessarily! While home charging is the most convenient and cheapest option, there are plenty of public charging points—more than 53,000 in the UK, including many free workplace and supermarket chargers. And if you need to charge on the go, rapid chargers can top you up in minutes, not hours.