The findings showed cost benefits were at the top of the priorities list for both parties, with 73% of financial directors and 67% of drivers saying a reduction in fuel bills was the biggest benefit.

But it’s drivers who were feeling the biggest savings, 67% said they’d benefit from lower benefit in kind payments and 41% from parking and congestion charge privileges.  Drivers also commented that the cars carried a feel-good factor, with 26% saying it made them feel like a “green pioneer” and 12% commenting that the vehicles were quieter and more refined than conventionally powered vehicles.

By comparison, 65% of financial directors rated electromobility for corporate responsibility and environmental boosts. Lower maintenance costs were listed as a main benefit by 23%, while reductions in corporate tax scored 15% and VAT 7%.

Chris Chandler, principle consultant at Lex Autolease, said: ‘For battery-based technologies to survive and prosper, it's important that companies and drivers have common ground when it comes to vehicle selection.

‘Not surprisingly, the cost of fuel is that binding agent which brings these two parties together and relationships can only strengthen in the face of rising oil and pump prices. Some of the so called "soft measures" – such as reputation, refinement and kerb appeal – can be underestimated, but companies and their employees will not select vehicles on cost alone.

‘Running costs will remain the primary motivating factor, of course, but low emission vehicles will need to compete with petrol and diesel alternatives in all areas to ensure their slice of the market grows.’