Out of this figure, 12% would choose an electric car, 33% a plug-in hybrid and 55% a non-plug-in hybrid.

The most popular electric car ordered through Zenith’s salary sacrifice car schemes is the BMW i3, followed by the Vauxhall Ampera and then the Nissan Leaf. The Toyota Prius is the most ordered plug-in hybrid, with the Lexus CT 200h being the most in demand non-plug-in hybrid car. 

Andrew Kirby, Zenith’s commercial director – employee benefits schemes, commented: ‘With this high level of interest in alternative fuelled cars, we expect to see many more drivers switch from diesel or petrol cars over the next 12 months. When taking into account the lower fuel costs and tax savings, they can be significantly more cost effective to run than a fossil fuelled option.’