Unipres UK has massively slashed carbon emissions on the back of 10 years of salary sacrifice EVs with Fleet Evolution.

Unipres UK has saved more than one million kilograms of CO2 in a decade of running Fleet Evolution’s sal-sac scheme

The company introduced an EV-based salary sacrifice scheme with Great British Fleet Event exhibitor Fleet Evolution back in December 2012 and has saved one million kilograms, around 1,000 metric tons, of CO2 since.

Unipres UK, which manufactures a range of press-formed automotive components for vehicle manufacturers, took delivery of its first EV on the scheme in December 2012, with 20 vehicles delivered in March 2013, reflecting a strong EV focus which has continued ever since.

As a result, the 1,000-employee business has seen carbon emissions on new additions to its salary sacrifice fleet fall to an average of just 11g/km of CO2.

Over the last decade the company’s carbon footprint from its employees’ personal motoring and commuting would have measured around 1.8 million kilograms had those who opted for its salary sacrifice scheme remained in their original cars.

But, with the Fleet Evolution scheme in place, carbon output has totaled around 0.76 million kilograms of CO2, a saving of over one million kilograms or around 1,000 metric tons of climate-warming greenhouses gases.

The business now solely runs its vehicle fleet entirely on a salary sacrifice basis provided by Fleet Evolution, with all new vehicles joining the fleet currently being battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). It’s also added several charge points in the corporate car park so that staff can recharge their vehicles while at work.

Andrew Fawell, director of finance and admin, said the company’s salary sacrifice car scheme had proved popular with staff as it opened up the prospect of having a brand-new car at affordable prices to employees that would not qualify otherwise.

“The salary sacrifice model works very well for us, especially as Benefit-in-Kind tax rates are currently so beneficial, and it clearly helps us to meet our CO2 and corporate responsibility targets as shown by the CO2 savings we have achieved.

“At the same time, Fleet Evolution provides excellent service levels and takes away all the issues associated with the day-to-day running of our fleet,” he added.

A carbon- and tax-efficient employee benefit

Fleet Evolution said the Unipres UK fleet was a shining example of how salary sacrifice could dramatically reduce the corporate carbon footprint for businesses and help with carbon reduction targets.

Andrew Leech, founder and managing director, elaborated: “EV salary sacrifice schemes are very carbon-efficient as they promote low carbon vehicles across the board within a low tax environment. They are also an extremely valuable benefit to employees due to their convenience, ease of use, absence of upfront payments and value for money.

“These are major benefits for employees when they are faced with the current, much-publicised energy and cost of living crisis.”

Fleet Evolution will be at next month’s Great British Fleet Event in Milton Keynes to highlight how salary sacrifice cars provide a flexible, hassle-free and cost-saving alternative to both cash allowances and company-provided fleets.

The company, which was founded in 2010 and lays claim to having the launched the UK’s first electric car salary sacrifice scheme way back in 2012, includes all servicing and repair costs, road fund licence, fully comprehensive insurance, corporate discounts and no deposit.

Its all-inclusive sal-sac scheme includes all servicing and repair costs, road fund licence, fully comprehensive insurance, corporate discounts and with the benefit of no deposit.

Fleet Evolution has also launched a new ReturnCheck service to ensure fleets aren’t left paying the bill on salary sacrifice vehicle damage after employees have left, further enhancing the benefits of its schemes.

The 2023 Great British Fleet Event takes place on 25 April – click here to sign up for a free ticket.