EDF has taken delivery of the 500th electric vehicle on its salary sacrifice scheme exactly a year after the scheme went live.

EDF launched the initiative to coincide with the Government’s change in Benefit-in-Kind to 0% for the 2020/21 tax year

Implemented by Tusker, the scheme is being used by EDF to enable more than 11,000 employees to access a brand-new car and has already had a 4% uptake.

Not only is the scheme opening up cost savings for employees – accessing savings of up to £200 a month in income tax and National Insurance – but it’s also enabling many to go electric.

Figures show 93% of users are opting for a pure electric vehicle, prompted by the current low 1% Benefit-in-Kind rating for fully electric vehicles and the range of makes and models on the scheme.

Jas Sangha, assistant shift manager at EDF, was the 500th EDF employee to take delivery of a new EV on the scheme.

He said: “I’m delighted with my new Kia e-Niro and thrilled that it was me who help hit the 500th-car milestone, exactly a year on from when the first EDF Tusker car was delivered.

“My colleagues and I have been really impressed with the choice of makes and models available on the Tusker scheme, and also the cost savings. My e-Niro has an impressive 282-mile range which is more than enough for my commute.”

EV take-up has also been prompted by charge points being available at 20 of EDF’s sites. An extra 300 charge points are set to be available to employees by December 2021.

Vanessa Corsie, benefits manager at EDF, said: “EDF is Britain’s biggest generator, and we want to find new ways to help our customers and colleagues lower their carbon footprint and be part of the journey towards Net Zero.

“We launched the initiative to coincide with the Government’s change in Benefit-in-Kind to 0% for the 2020/21 tax year. It reduced the BiK payable from 16% so provided considerable tax savings to employees – for both 20% and 40% taxpayers. We’ve already seen substantial savings as an organisation too. It also meets our duty of care obligations, reduces grey fleet challenges by getting employees into a new car and helps us meet our corporate environmental targets, so it’s a win all round.”