Leading global paints and coatings manufacturer Jotun has expanded its fleet decarbonisation strategy by launching an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme for its UK employees in partnership with fleet management specialist Gofor.

The new perk was officially introduced to workforce members at Jotun’s UK headquarters in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, during a dedicated launch event hosted by Gofor. The day-long event featured vehicle demonstrations, personal employee consultations and practical guidance on transitioning to electric driving.

The salary sacrifice scheme marks the next phase in Jotun’s fleet decarbonisation journey. It allows employees who are not eligible for a traditional company car to lease an EV through deductions from their gross salary. This set-up provides tax-efficiency by reducing income tax and National Insurance contributions, making electric mobility highly accessible during a period of rising living costs.

According to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) April Leasing Outlook Report, salary sacrifice volumes have surged 125% year-on-year, heavily supported by the increasing availability of lower-cost EV models.

The new salary sacrifice scheme builds on Jotun’s transition to lower-emission vehicles as part of its fleet management partnership with Gofor. Since the partnership began last year, the company’s average fleet emissions have fallen to 13g CO2e per vehicle, driven by the strong uptake of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles among its company car drivers.

As part of the ongoing fleet management agreement, Jotun drivers also get access to Gofor’s driver app, fleet management portal, licence checking services, plus short- and mid-term vehicle rental.

Megan Wilkins, HR and payroll co-ordinator for Jotun, said: “Introducing salary sacrifice is an important next step in reducing our fleet emissions and making electric vehicles accessible to more employees, not just company car drivers.”

She added: “Gofor has delivered a genuinely personal service, helping our employees to understand their options and make informed decisions to select a car that works for their needs and aligns with Jotun’s sustainability goals.”

Paul Reeves, account manager at Gofor, commented: “Salary sacrifice is a really effective way for a business to support fleet decarbonisation while providing a valuable employee benefit. It’s a tax-efficient way for non-company car drivers to get into an electric car – ideal as the cost of living continues to rise.”

Reeves continued: “We take real pride in providing our SME customers with a proactive, personal service and look forward to continuing to guide Jotun through their decarbonisation journey.”