5 Reasons Why Charging Salary Sacrifice is the Best New Benefit for a Forward-Thinking HR Team
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For HR professionals navigating the complex landscape of employee benefits in 2026, the challenge is clear: deliver maximum impact with minimal resources whilst supporting both employee wellbeing and organisational objectives. Charging salary sacrifice through The Charge Scheme represents a rare opportunity to achieve all three simultaneously.
As the UK's first dedicated EV charging salary sacrifice solution, The Charge Scheme is transforming how forward-thinking HR teams approach employee benefits, fleet electrification, and ESG commitments. Here are five compelling reasons why this should be your next benefit implementation.
Reason 1: Zero Cost, Maximum Impact
The HR Leader's Dream Benefit
Every HR professional knows the constant pressure to do more with less. You're asked to improve the benefits package, boost employee satisfaction, and support retention - all without additional budget. Charging salary sacrifice is the rare benefit that delivers exceptional employee value whilst costing employers absolutely nothing.
How Zero Cost Works in Practice
Unlike traditional benefits that require employer contributions or administrative overheads, charging salary sacrifice operates entirely through tax-efficient salary deductions:
For Employees:
20-50% savings on all EV charging costs
Covers home, workplace, and public charging
No upfront costs or deposits required
Immediate savings from the first charge
For Employers:
Zero implementation costs
Zero ongoing contribution required
Zero additional liability
Real Cost-Benefit Analysis
Let's examine the actual employer investment required.
Traditional Benefits Comparison:
| Benefit Type | Employer Cost | Employee Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership subsidy | £30-50/month per employee | Moderate |
| Additional annual leave | £200-400/day in salary cost | High |
| Enhanced pension | 3-5% salary contribution | High |
| Charging salary sacrifice | £0 | High (£300-£1,000 annual savings) |
The Numbers That Matter to Finance
When presenting to your CFO, these figures speak volumes:
Setup cost: £0
Monthly employer contribution: £0
Annual employer cost per employee: £0
Employee annual savings: £300-£1,000
Employee satisfaction impact: Significant
Retention value: High
For an organisation with 100 employees taking up the scheme, you're delivering £30,000-£100,000 in collective employee value annually whilst the employer's direct cost remains zero.
Reason 2: Addresses the Real Cost-of-Living Crisis
Understanding Employee Financial Pressures in 2026
The cost-of-living crisis hasn't ended - it's evolved. According to recent surveys, 87% of UK employees cite financial concerns as their primary workplace stressor. For the 1.8 million electric vehicle drivers in the UK, charging costs represent a significant and growing expense.
The Public Charging Crisis
Consider the reality facing employees without home charging:
Public Charging Costs (2026):
Rapid charging: 70-87p per kWh
Cost per mile: 18-22p
Monthly cost (12,000 miles annually): £180-220
Annual charging cost: £2,160-£2,640
Compare this to petrol:
Average petrol cost per mile: 14-16p
Many EV drivers pay MORE than petrol drivers
The Affordability Gap:
Over 9 million UK households lack off-street parking, creating a two-tier system where EV adoption becomes a postcode lottery. Those forced to use public charging face costs that can exceed traditional fuel, undermining the financial case for electric vehicles.
How Charging Salary Sacrifice Solves This
The Charge Scheme transforms this equation:
Before Charging Salary Sacrifice:
Public charging: £200/month
Paid from post-tax income
No tax relief available
Full cost burden on the employee
After Charging Salary Sacrifice:
Same charging: £200/month deducted from gross salary
Tax savings (40% taxpayer): £84/month
National Insurance savings: £4/month
Net cost to employee: £112/month
Monthly savings: £88
Annual saving: £1,056
The Wellbeing Connection
Financial stress directly impacts:
Employee productivity
Mental health and wellbeing
Engagement and motivation
Retention and turnover
Workplace relationships
By addressing a genuine financial pain point, charging salary sacrifice delivers measurable wellbeing benefits beyond the monetary savings.
Strategic Positioning
Forward-thinking HR teams are positioning charging salary sacrifice as part of their holistic employee financial wellbeing strategy, alongside:
Financial education programmes
Money management tools
Debt counselling services
Salary advance options
The difference? Charging salary sacrifice requires no employer investment whilst delivering immediate, measurable financial relief.
Reason 3: Accelerates Your ESG and Net Zero Journey
The ESG Imperative for HR
Environmental, Social, and Governance commitments have moved from nice-to-have to business-critical. HR teams increasingly find themselves accountable for the "Social" pillar whilst supporting Environmental objectives through employee engagement.
The Transport Emissions Challenge
Transport remains the UK's largest carbon-emitting sector, accounting for 27% of total emissions. For most organisations, employee commuting and business travel represent significant Scope 3 emissions that must be addressed to achieve Net Zero targets.
The EV Adoption Barrier:
Despite best intentions, many organisations struggle with employee EV adoption because:
High upfront vehicle costs deter employees
Ongoing charging costs create concern
Lack of home charging access presents barriers
Financial uncertainty prevents commitment
The Charge Scheme directly addresses the charging affordability barrier:
Impact on EV Adoption:
Organisations implementing charging salary sacrifice report:
35-40% increase in EV scheme enquiries
Higher conversion rates from enquiry to order
Faster employee decision-making
Reduced concerns about "total cost of ownership"
Result: Increased EV scheme participation, accelerated fleet electrification timeline, enhanced ESG reporting metrics.
ESG Reporting Benefits
Charging salary sacrifice provides tangible metrics for your ESG reporting:
Quantifiable Impacts:
Number of employees using the scheme
Total CO2 emissions reduced (estimated)
Percentage of the workforce driving electric
Employee engagement in sustainability initiatives
Support for UN Sustainable Development Goals
Narrative Strength:
"We've removed financial barriers to EV adoption, ensuring all employees can participate in our Net Zero journey regardless of home charging access" is a powerful ESG story.
The Social Equity Angle
Critically, charging salary sacrifice addresses social equity within ESG:
Makes EV adoption accessible to employees without driveways
Removes postcode-based affordability barriers
Ensures all employees can benefit from company sustainability initiatives
Demonstrates genuine commitment to inclusive environmental action
This social equity component strengthens your ESG positioning considerably.
Reason 4: Implementation is Remarkably Simple
The Implementation Timeline
One of the most significant barriers to new benefit adoption is implementation complexity. HR teams are already stretched, and adding complicated new schemes can feel overwhelming. Charging salary sacrifice breaks this pattern:
Week 1: Setup
Initial consultation with The Charge Scheme team (30 min)
Review integration with existing payroll systems
Prepare employee communication materials
Obtain any necessary approvals
Week 2: Launch
Employee communication launch
App and card distribution begin
First employees enrol and start saving
Payroll integration goes live
Ongoing: Minimal Administration
Monthly payroll file provided by The Charge Scheme (5 minutes to process)
Automated reporting and reconciliation
Dedicated support for employee queries
Quarterly scheme reviews
Integration with Existing Systems
The Charge Scheme integrates with any payroll system:
Compatible With:
All major payroll software
Third-party payroll providers
In-house payroll teams
Outsourced payroll services
No Changes Required To:
Existing EV salary sacrifice schemes
Current leasing providers
Company car schemes
Benefits platforms
This is genuinely a "bolt-on" benefit requiring no disruption to current arrangements.
Monthly Administration Requirements
Let's be specific about the actual HR workload:
Employee Enrolment (per employee, one-time):
Employee completes digital registration: 5 minutes
HR processes approval: 2 minutes
System setup automated: Instant
Total HR time: 2 minutes per employee
Monthly Administration:
Receive payroll file from The Charge Scheme: Automated
Upload to payroll system: 5 minutes
Process deductions: Automatic
Respond to employee queries: 0-10 minutes
Total monthly HR time: 5-15 minutes
For an organisation with 50 employees on the scheme, this equates to less than one hour of HR time monthly.
Employee Communication Made Easy
The Charge Scheme provides:
Ready-made email templates
Intranet content and images
FAQ documents
Video explainers
Presentation decks
Launch communication plans
HR teams can launch professionally with minimal communication workload.
Support Structure
Unlike some benefits where HR becomes the first line of support, The Charge Scheme provides:
For Employees:
Dedicated app support team
Email and phone support
Comprehensive FAQs
Video tutorials
Live chat functionality
For HR Teams:
Dedicated account manager
Implementation support
Ongoing consultation
Scheme optimisation advice
Regular performance reviews
This support structure ensures HR teams aren't burdened with technical queries or troubleshooting.
Reason 5: Employees Actually Want This Benefit
The Benefits Package Reality Check
HR professionals know the truth: not all benefits are created equal. You can offer a benefit, but if employees don't use it, it delivers no value. Charging salary sacrifice is different - employees actively want and use this benefit.
Why Employee Demand is High
Tangible, Immediate Value:
Unlike benefits with delayed or intangible value (pension contributions, healthcare you hope not to use), charging salary sacrifice delivers:
Immediate cost savings
Money in the pocket every month
Visible impact on personal finances
Quantifiable benefit
Addresses Real Pain Points:
Employees report that charging costs are:
Higher than expected when switching to EVs
A genuine barrier to EV adoption
More expensive than petrol for public charging users
A source of financial stress
Solves a Growing Problem:
With 1.8 million EVs already on UK roads and adoption accelerating, more employees need solutions for charging affordability. This benefit addresses a genuine, growing need.
Employee Feedback from Early Adopters
Red Badger Employee (John Godfrey):
"Since I don't have a home charger, I have been spending a lot on electricity from public charge points. I was pretty relieved to find out that there's a way to get some savings back through salary sacrifice. It'll likely save me more than £50 per month."
Europa Worldwide Group:
"For a logistics company like ours with team members on the move across various sites, the ability for our staff to save 20-50% on all charging costs through salary sacrifice has been transformative in encouraging the switch to electric vehicles." — Amy Gordon, HR Coordinator
Measurable Uptake Metrics
Organisations implementing charging salary sacrifice report:
Adoption Rates:
60-80% of eligible employees (those with EVs) enrol
Higher uptake than many voluntary benefits
Positive word-of-mouth driving EV scheme interest
Employee Satisfaction:
High satisfaction scores
Positive feedback in engagement surveys
Referral Impact:
Employees recommend their employer to EV-driving friends
Benefit mentioned in recruitment conversations
Positive employer brand impact
The Recruitment and Retention Value
In today's competitive talent market, distinctive benefits matter. Charging salary sacrifice provides recruitment and retention advantages:
Recruitment Benefits:
Unique benefit not offered by competitors
Appeals to environmentally conscious candidates
Demonstrates a forward-thinking culture
Provides a tangible talking point in offers
Retention Benefits:
Creates financial lock-in (employees save money by staying)
Demonstrates employer cares about employee finances
Shows commitment to innovation and employee needs
Differentiates you from competitors
Employer Brand Impact:
Positions the organisation as innovative and employee-focused
Strengthens environmental credentials
Provides content for employer brand communications
Generates positive employee advocacy
Survey Data Supports Demand
Recent UK workplace benefits surveys show:
67% of employees would value a benefit helping with transport costs
54% of EV drivers cite charging costs as their biggest concern
78% of employees prefer benefits with an immediate financial impact
82% of employees value benefits supporting environmental goals
Charging salary sacrifice directly addresses all four preferences.
Bringing It All Together: The Forward-Thinking HR Team's Advantage
Why "Forward-Thinking" Matters
The HR professionals and people teams implementing charging salary sacrifice today aren't just adding another benefit - they're positioning themselves as innovators who:
Anticipate employee needs before they become crises
Deliver exceptional value with minimal resources
Support organisational objectives whilst enhancing employee wellbeing
Lead rather than follow in benefits innovation
Positioning for Success
When presenting charging salary sacrifice to your leadership team, position it as:
A strategic initiative supporting multiple organisational objectives (ESG, employee wellbeing, retention)
An innovative solution demonstrating HR's forward-thinking approach
A zero-cost opportunity delivering exceptional employee value
A quick win requiring minimal implementation effort
Getting Started
For HR teams ready to implement charging salary sacrifice:
For Companies with Existing Car Schemes
If your organisation already operates a company car scheme, integration is straightforward:
Initial consultation: The Charge Scheme team works with your existing scheme provider
Employee communication: Clear guidance helps communicate the new benefit
App distribution: Employees receive access to the app and physical charge card
Payroll integration: Simple monthly instructions enable payroll processing
Ongoing support: Continuous support ensures smooth operation
For Companies Without Car Schemes
Companies without existing schemes can implement The Electric Car Scheme, which offers complete EV salary sacrifice car programmes with integration of The Charge Scheme from day one.
Leading the Benefits Innovation Curve
For forward-thinking HR teams in 2026, charging salary sacrifice represents a rare convergence of employee demand, organisational benefit, and effortless implementation. As the UK's first dedicated EV charging salary sacrifice solution, The Charge Scheme enables HR professionals to deliver exceptional employee value whilst supporting ESG objectives and demonstrating benefits innovation leadership.
The organisations implementing charging salary sacrifice today aren't just adding another benefit - they're positioning themselves as an employer of choice for the growing population of electric vehicle drivers whilst removing financial barriers to their Net Zero journey.
Ready to position your organisation as a forward-thinking employer?
Book a consultation with The Charge Scheme team to explore how charging salary sacrifice can enhance your benefits package, support your ESG goals, and deliver exceptional employee value - all at zero cost to your organisation.
The future of employee benefits is here. Forward-thinking HR teams are already implementing it. Will you lead or follow?
FAQ’s
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No. The Charge Scheme provides a simple monthly payroll file requiring approximately 5 minutes to process. The system integrates with any payroll software without requiring changes to your current setup
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Perfect! The Charge Scheme is designed to bolt directly onto any existing EV salary sacrifice scheme. There's no need to change providers or disrupt current arrangements. It simply adds charging savings on top of vehicle savings.
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The scheme ends automatically when employment ends. There are no complex calculations or outstanding liabilities. The departing employee simply stops using The Charge Scheme, and no further salary sacrifice deductions occur.
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The scheme is only relevant for employees who drive electric vehicles (either through a company scheme, personal lease, or ownership). As your organisation's EV adoption grows (by you making charging more affordable), more employees become eligible.
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Track: employee uptake rate, employee satisfaction scores, recruitment mentions, retention conversations, ESG reporting metrics, and cost per employee versus value delivered (£300-£1,000 annually)
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The scheme follows standard salary sacrifice rules. During statutory pay periods, deductions may need adjustment. The Charge Scheme team provides guidance on managing these situations in line with HMRC regulations.
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The Charge Scheme provides comprehensive communication materials including email templates, intranet content, FAQs, videos, and presentation decks. Your account manager will help develop a communication strategy tailored to your organisation.
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Monthly reporting includes: number of active users, total charging costs salary sacrificed, employee savings generated, and more.
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No minimum employee numbers required. The Charge Scheme works for organisations of any size, from small businesses with a handful of EV drivers to large enterprises with hundreds of employees.
Last updated: 05/02/2026
Our pricing: is based on data collected from The Charge Scheme Calculator. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The Charge Scheme is a product of The Electric Car Scheme™ – a trusted, trademarked brand dedicated to making electric driving more affordable. All rights reserved. The Electric Car Scheme is the trading style of The Electric Car Scheme Limited (company number 12646157, ICO number ZB030706, VAT number 439430195) and The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited (company number 13295877, ICO number ZB252629). Head office & registered address: The Shipping Building, 254 Blyth Road, Hayes, UB3 1HA. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608) is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender.
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Note on Tesla Pricing: Tesla charges a partner roaming rate to Tesla drivers when using third-party cards, which is higher than their direct rate.
