New orders for electric cars via salary sacrifice are rising on the back of shorter lead times, a wider range of new models and growing manufacturer support, according to Fleet Evolution.

Andrew Leech, founder and MD of Fleet Evolution, identified three major reasons behind the latest uptick in new EV orders

The salary sacrifice and fleet management specialist says it’s seen EV orders rise by a third this autumn amongst its existing customer base, compared to the same period last year.

That’s despite the Government’s decision to extend the deadline for the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035 which many feared would lead to a slowdown in EV orders as companies delayed green developments.

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader (SMMT) show that EV uptake – including fully electric, hybrid and PHEV – continued to accelerate in October, accounting for 37.6% of all new car registrations, as new car sales rose by 14% across the board, beating pre-pandemic levels.

Andrew Leech, founder and MD of Tamworth-based Fleet Evolution, identified three major reasons behind the latest uptick in new EV orders.

“First of all, we are seeing lead times coming down to much more manageable levels across the board as manufacturers not only increase the supply of EVs to the market, but also expand the range of cars available, thereby widening consumer choice.

“Allied to the better lead times and increase in supply, we are now seeing discount levels of around 8-15% due to increased competition, which is making a big difference to monthly rentals.

“At the entry level to the market, this equates to a typical saving of around £50 per month, while in the middle market it can be around £100-150 per month. And, at the premium end of the market, we are seeing some rentals on selected models falling by as much as £300 per month in certain circumstances.

“Put these factors together, and link that to many companies’ desire to implement corporate sustainability policies, and it adds up to increased interest in and orders for EVs,” said Leech.

He added that his view of the Government’s five-year ICE ban extension, while not universally held, was that it was the correct decision.

“For those drivers who can charge at home, either on the drive or in the garage, now is the prefect times to make the transition to electric because so many factors, such as increased supply, low taxation and longer ranges, are overwhelmingly positive.

“But there is still around 40% of the population who have no access to home charging and for whom the national charging infrastructure is still insufficient to meet their needs. So those extra five years will give suppliers the breathing space to extend and upgrade the charging network, making it suitable for all,” he said.

But Leech warned there were still some “ludicrous” myths on social media surrounding electric cars – the recent fire at Luton Airport, for example, was rumoured to have been started by an EV when, in fact, it was a fire in a diesel vehicle.

“Latest research into car fires in the US shows that the highest percentage of fires per 100,000 sales actually occur in older-style hybrids followed by gasoline/petrol cars while there are fewer fires amongst electric cars. EVs actually catch fire far less than news reports would have you believe.”

A newly published article by The Guardian, the first in a series exploring the myths and realities surrounding EVs, reveals that “the probability of being caught in an EV fire appears overall to be much lower than for petrol or diesel cars, based on currently available data”.

Finally, Leech said that Fleet Evolution’s view is that there has never been a better time to make the switch to electric and salary sacrifice is undoubtedly the most cost and tax effective of acquiring a new EV.

“Schemes like our own offer a whole array of cost saving benefits for employees of all ages, including all servicing and repair costs, road fund licence, fully comprehensive insurance, corporate discounts and no deposit.

“We also provide a 30-day no-quibble clause through which an employer can hand back a car where an employee leaves for whatever reason, giving further protection for when employees fall below the minimum wage, often as a result of maternity or sickness,” he finished.