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Top 10 best electric company cars
If you’re wanting to make sure you pick the best electric company car when the list of options lands on your desk, then you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll pick over the 10 best options for business users looking to make the switch to battery power, or for those wanting to replace their existing zero emissions work wheels.
While overall EV registrations have taken a hit over the last year, sales to businesses continue to boom. For many user choosers, the technology and performance make electric cars a very tempting choice, while fleet managers love the low running costs. However, the biggest reason these types of car are so popular is tax - or rather the lack of it.
Currently, company car drivers who pick an EV benefit from a flat (and very low) benefit-in-kind (BIK) rate of just 2%. As a result, users can easily save 90% or more on their annual tax bill compared to standard petrol and diesel vehicles, even those with a plug-in hybrid element. That’s really not to be sniffed at.
However, not all EVs make great company cars. Many of these machines are still used to travel big miles in a day, which means an excellent range and fast charging are vital. Drivers will also be expected to carry clients, so a spacious and comfy interior is a must. And, most importantly, they need to project the right image and cut a dash in the corporate car park.So, here are our 10 best electric company cars.
Top 10 Best Electric Company Cars
1. Tesla Model 3 Long Range
PROS
- Strong performance
- Excellent range
- Wide-ranging charging network
CONS
- Ride can get choppy
- Lack of physical controls for basic functions
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £17
Monthly BiK at 40%: £33
With falling sales and an unpredictable CEO in Elon Musk, Tesla has been up against over the last six months or so. Yet despite the American brand’s struggles, its recently revised Model 3 is a compelling company car choice. Known as the ‘Highland’ update, it brings sleeker looks, an even more minimalist interior, increased performance and an enhanced battery range. More importantly, prices have been slashed, meaning a lower rate earner will sacrifice just under £17 a month from their salary. Long Range versions claim an impressive 390 miles between top-ups, while charging on the road couldn’t be simpler thanks to the brand’s Supercharger network. There’s plenty of performance, agile handling and a decent ride, plus the Model 3 is now the best built Tesla. The biggest niggle is the removal of the traditional steering column stalks, with the new wheel-mounted touch pads for the indicators making roundabouts a challenge.
2. BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport
PROS
- Engaging handling
- Strong rolling refinement
- Excellent range
CONS
- Looks like a standard 4 Series
- Cabin a little cramped
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £20
Monthly BiK at 40%: £39
Combining the looks and feel of a traditional BMW with cutting-edge EV architecture, the recently updated i4 is perfect for user choosers who don’t want to virtue signal their eco-credentials. Using the same CLAR platform and refreshed body as the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the i4 looks smart without being space-age. Those familiar underpinnings also mean the BMW drives with the brand’s usual accuracy and elan. The mechanicals have remained largely unchanged, so the punchy rear-mounted 335bhp motor drives the rear wheels for balanced and satisfyingly throttle-adjustable handling, while the well-judged damping combines control with a cushioned ride. The 80.9kWh battery means a range of 367-miles, while rapid charging at 205kW means a 10-80% charge in just 31 minutes.
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 77kWh Premium RWD
PROS
- Distinctive looks
- Spacious interior
- Good to drive
CONS
- Range and efficiency trail the best
- Firm ride
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £16
Monthly BiK at 40%: £31
Three years on from its launch, the Ioniq 5 still manages to cause a stir as it slips silently along the road. With its concept car looks, cutting edge 800V EV architecture and a cabin that melds practicality with premium appeal, the Korean machine cuts the mustard as a classy company car choice. Of course it’s the rampant 641bhp N flagship that’s stealing all the headlines at the moment, but there’s still lots to like about the standard, single motor model. The entry-level version comes with 168bhp and a 58kWh battery, but we’d plump for the 225bhp model with its bigger 77kWh power pack and 315 miles of range - as a lower rate earner, at £16 a month it’ll only be £1 more expensive. Regardless of version you get the same bright, airy and well-equipped interior, plus a driving experience that’s surprisingly engaging with satisfyingly precise handling and a composed ride.
4. Jaguar i-Pace R-Dynamic SE
PROS
- Trademark Jaguar driving dynamics
- Strong performance
- Classy cabin
CONS
- Range could be better
- Not as fast to charge as some
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £25
Monthly BiK at 40%: £49
An EV pioneer, the i-Pace remains almost as convincing today as it was when it burst onto the scene in 2018. Premium rivals have caught-up technologically and Jaguar has failed to fully cash-in on the trend-setting status of this innovative machine, but that doesn’t make the all-electric big cat any less desirable. Its powerful 395bhp twin motor set-up delivers sports car pace and all-wheel drive security, while its hefty 90kWh delivers a respectable 292 miles of range. Despite its high-riding crossover visual vibes, the i-Pace steers with typical Jag poise and precision, while the spacious interior combines the brand’s traditional luxury with enough cutting edge kit to keep most Silicon Valley disciples happy. And the price for this compelling blend of talents? Well, higher rate earners will be looking at an annual tax bill of £588, which represents a whopping £9,500 saving over a conventionally-powered and similarly-priced F-Pace SUV.
5. MINI Countryman Electric E Exclusive
PROS
- Fun-loving driving experience
- Family-friendly versatility
- Funky retro looks
CONS
- Average range
- Maybe too big to be a MINI
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £15
Monthly BiK at 40%: £30
The days of a MINI being, well, mini are long gone. The all-new three-door model has grown in size and stature, white the roughty-toughty Countryman is now swelled to full-sized family car offering. The larger exterior means more space inside for both people and luggage, while the quirky circular infotainment screen adds some fun to the other wise upmarket vibe. We’ve only sampled the twin motor SE ALL4, which offsets its extra 300kg over the ICE version with 309bhp of poke and 269 miles of range. Despite the extra mass, the Countryman feels remarkably quick-witted, with direct steering and decent agility. And despite some low speed stiffness it soaks up bumps well, adding to an overall air of grown-up refinement. Lower rate earner will face a yearly tax bill of just £199 for the ALL4, but we’d be tempted by the £5000 price saving, 287 mile range and £178 BiK bill for the two-wheel drive E.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range Premium RWD
PROS
- Good range
- Roomy interior
- Strong performance
CONS
- Lumpy ride
- Cheap feeling cabin finish
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £20
Monthly BiK at 40%: £40
While Ford has been a little slow in jumping on the EV bandwagon, the Mustang Mach-E has largely been worth the wait. The first battery-powered Blue Oval model to be built on a bespoke all-electric platform, the SUV-flavoured Mustang is sprinkled with just enough of the firm’s dynamic magic to keep things interesting, yet also offers a decent range and welcome dose of family-friendly versatility. The single motor rear-wheel drive model fitted with the largest battery is the best bet for business users, serving up 289bhp and a healthy 372 miles of range, plus it can take on 80% charge in just 45 minutes using a rapid charger. It makes sense when it comes to the bottom line too, with those on a 20% tax rate facing a BiK bill of just £20 a month. Downsides? Well, the interior’s a bit plasticky and the ride can get a little rambunctious on ripped and torn surfaces, but that's really about it.
7. Skoda Enyaq iV 85 Edition
PROS
- Roomy and versatile cabin
- Excellent range
- Premium fit and finish
CONS
- Ride on the firm side
- Not much fun to drive
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £15
Monthly BiK at 40%: £30
Taking a typically sensible approach to its first EV, Skoda has stuck to what it does best for the Enyaq iV. Based on the same MEB platform as various VW ID models, the Cupra Born and Audi Q5, the Czech machine serves up more space for less cash than the lot of them. It’s not as agile and entertaining to drive as the Cupra, but the smooth and silent powertrain suits its easy-going nature. Moreover, its cleverly packaged cabin (there’s a cubby or a tray for everything) looks and feels classier than the Audi’s. Quite some achievement. Entry-level cars get a 60kWh battery, but for not a lot more cash you can get the recently enlarged 82kWh cell, which pushes range up to heart rate-reducing 348 miles. Your bank manager will be less stressed too, because in well-equipped (matrix LED headlamps, heated seats, adaptive cruise and keyless entry) Edition trim, lower rate earners will only have to fork out £15 a month in tax.
8. Kia EV6 Air RWD
PROS
- Excellent range
- Impressive fast-charging capability
- Balanced handling
CONS
- Coupe looks hamper practicality
- Stiff-legged low speed ride
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £15
Monthly BiK at 40%: £30
Under its swoopy exterior, the EV6 shares the same hi-tech E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. That means you get the same choice of single and dual motor layouts, plus the trick 800V architecture that allows extremely rapid charging (how does 10-80% in 18 minutes grab you?). However, the slightly pricier Kia only offers the larger 77kWh battery, which means a claimed range of at least 314 miles. Go for the standard 225bhp two-wheel drive car and this increases to 328 miles, while a lower rate earner's monthly tax bill will drop by £2 to £15. Even the lower powered EV6 is a brisk performer, plus it handles with greater accuracy and flair than its Hyundai sibling - although the trade-off is a clunkier and chunkier ride. A facelifted version is just around the corner, but the fresh looks will hide largely unchanged underpinnings.
9. Mercedes EQE300 Sport
PROS
- Excellent refinement
- Plenty of technology
- Smooth ride
CONS
- Poorly packaged cabin
- Range could be stronger
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £23
Monthly BiK at 40%: £46
The big bosses at Mercedes have recently announced that slow sales of its priciest bespoke EVs has forced the brand to, ahem, pull the plug on development of their replacements. However, that won’t affect buyers until 2028 at least, so company car drivers can still enjoy cars like the EQE for a few years yet. Featuring the same slippery soap-left-in-a-bath looks as the bigger EQS, this all-electric saloon mixes a futuristic vibe with the traditional car park kudos of the three-pointed star. The AMG-fettled 53 is fast and fun to drive, but for fleet managers wanting to keep their tax bills down the 241bhp EQE300 will leave higher rate earners with a £550 annual tax bill and a range of up to 380 miles. Any clients cadging a lift will be equally impressed with the Merc’s classy cabin, especially if it’s equipped with the vast, full-width Hyperscreen digital dash.
10. MG 4 Trophy Extended Range
PROS
- Good fun to drive
- Low running costs
- Practical interior
CONS
- Perceived quality still some way off rivals
- Patchy driver assistance tech
BiK rate: 2%
Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £12
Monthly BiK at 40%: £24
Any doubts that MG shouldn’t be taken seriously have been dashed by the MG 4, which combines the Chinese brand’s traditional value-for-money with a series dose of style and driver appeal. The SUV-themed hatchback’s angular looks help it stand out from the crowd, while the interior makes up for in space and kit what it lacks in top notch premium finish. The 429bhp X Power flagship grabs the headlines and undercuts most of the cars on this list for BiK bills, but the lower-powered offerings serve-up a sweeter ride and handling balance and go further on a charge. For instance, the Trophy Extended Range features a 77kWh battery for a very handy range of 323 miles, yet costs lower rate earners just £146 a year in tax.
*Article source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/advice-company-cars/top-10-best-electric-company-cars