The Complete Guide to EV Charge Schemes: Benefits, Costs & Implementation
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Electric vehicles are changing how we think about transport, but for many employees, charging costs remain a real barrier to making the switch to electric. If you have an EV but don't have access to a home charger, you can expect to pay thousands more by relying on public charging networks. This is where salary sacrifice EV charging comes in - a simple solution that makes electric car charging more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Whether you're an HR professional, fleet manager, or business leader looking for new ways to support your team's transition to electric vehicles, you're in the right place. This is your complete EV charge scheme guide, covering everything you need to know about salary sacrifice for charging.
Understanding EV Charge Schemes
An EV charge scheme is an employee benefit that helps reduce the cost of electric vehicle charging through various approaches (now including salary sacrifice). These schemes address one of the biggest challenges in EV adoption: the rising cost of public charging, which can sometimes exceed the cost of petrol or diesel.
Salary sacrifice for EV charging is straightforward; instead of employees paying for their charging costs out of pocket, these expenses are deducted from their gross salary before tax and National Insurance. This simple change can save employees 20-50% on their charging costs, whether they charge at home, at work, or on the road.
What Types of EV Charge Schemes Are Available?
Salary Sacrifice Charge Schemes
Salary sacrifice EV charging, like The Charge Scheme, represents the most effective approach to reducing the cost of running an electric car. Through this arrangement, employees pay for their charging costs from their pre-tax income, resulting in immediate savings on both income tax and National Insurance contributions.
The Charge Scheme allows employees to salary sacrifice all their personal charging costs - covering home charging, workplace charging, and access to over 69,000 public charging points across the UK. This approach means no employee is left behind, regardless of their charging circumstances.
Employer-Funded Charging Benefits
Some companies choose to fund employee charging costs, either partially or completely. While this provides immediate relief for employees, it incurs a direct cost to the business and doesn't offer the tax advantages of salary sacrifice arrangements.
Workplace EV Charge Schemes
Workplace EV charge schemes focus specifically on providing charging facilities at the office. These can range from free charging as a perk to subsidised rates for employee use. However, for employees who work remotely or travel frequently, workplace-only solutions may not address their full charging needs.
Hybrid Approaches
Many forward-thinking employers combine multiple approaches, offering workplace charging alongside salary sacrifice schemes for home and public charging. This strategy means all employees can benefit, regardless of their work patterns or housing situation.
Salary Sacrifice Charging Explained
Salary sacrifice is an arrangement where employees give up part of their gross salary in exchange for a non-cash benefit. When applied to EV charging, this makes one of the biggest ongoing costs of electric vehicle ownership into a tax-efficient benefit.
How It Works
The process is simple:
Employee Setup: Employees download The Charge Scheme app and receive their charge card, giving them access to thousands of charging points
Monthly Reporting: Employees submit their mileage through an easy-to-use portal each month
Cost Calculation: The scheme automatically calculates all charging costs, whether at home, work, or in public
Payroll Integration: These costs are deducted from gross salary before tax calculations
Tax Efficiency
The tax advantages are clear for employees in any tax bracket. Whether you're a basic-rate taxpayer (20% income tax plus 3% National Insurance) saving 22% on charging costs, or a higher-rate taxpayer (40% income tax plus 3% National Insurance) saving 42%, salary sacrifice delivers immediate savings simply by paying through your gross salary instead of after-tax income.
For example, if an employee is a higher-rate taxpayer who mostly charges their Dacia Spring in public, they can expect to save £2,004 over a three year period. The table shows how this is broken down:
| Breakdown | Higher-rate taxpayer |
|---|---|
| Public charging | £5,551 |
| Other charging | £1,040 |
| Total charging cost | £6,591 |
| Salary sacrifice | £7,909 |
| Net energy cost | £4,587 |
| Savings | £2,004 |
(These figures are based on 15,000 miles per annum, 3-year lease, the higher-rate taxpayer earning £70,000 per year)
You can calculate your savings by inputting your salary, lease terms, EV make and model and how you usually charge on our website!
EV Charging Scheme Benefits
There are many benefits of EV charging schemes for employees and employers alike.
For Employees
Cost Savings
The main benefit is immediate financial relief. Employees can save 20-50% on their charging costs, with some saving almost £4,000 over a typical four-year car lease period. Use our calculator to see how much you can save based on your car, salary, lease terms and your current charging habits!
Everyone Has Access
Unlike schemes that only work for employees with driveways, salary sacrifice charge schemes support all charging scenarios. Whether someone lives in a flat without off-street parking or has a home charger, they can access savings.
Easy to Use And Set Up
The Charge Scheme handles complex calculations automatically. Employees simply use their app and card to charge, submit monthly mileage, and the rest is sorted!
Environmental Impact
By making EV charging more affordable, these schemes remove barriers to electric vehicle adoption, helping employees make more sustainable transport choices.
For Employers
Zero Cost to Implement
The Charge Scheme doesn’t require upfront investment or ongoing costs from employers. They're cost-neutral benefits that add value.
Better Employee Attraction and Retention
In a competitive job market, benefits that align with employee values - like sustainability and financial wellbeing - help attract and retain top talent.
Simple Fleet Management
For companies with electric company car fleets, salary sacrifice charging benefits reduce administrative burden around mileage reimbursements and expense claims.
ESG and Net Zero Alignment
Charge schemes support corporate sustainability objectives by incentivising electric vehicle adoption and reducing transport-related emissions.
Better EV Scheme Uptake
When charging becomes more affordable, more employees choose electric vehicles through company car or salary sacrifice schemes, maximising the return on these benefits.
Setting Up Your Charge Scheme
Phase 1: Assessment and Planning
Current Fleet Analysis: Review your existing company car scheme, employee transport patterns, and sustainability objectives. Understanding your starting point helps shape the most effective approach.
Stakeholder Engagement: Involve HR, finance, fleet, and facilities teams early in the planning process. Each department brings important input and will play a role when successfully setting up the scheme.
Provider Selection: Choose a charge scheme provider that offers wide coverage, minimal admin burden, and seamless integration with your existing benefits and payroll systems.
Phase 2: Setup and Integration
System Integration: Work with your chosen provider to integrate the charge scheme with your payroll systems. Leading providers offer detailed guidance and support throughout this process.
Communication Planning: Develop materials explaining the benefits, how the scheme works, and how employees can get started.
Phase 3: Launch and Onboarding
Soft Launch: Consider starting with a pilot group to test processes and gather feedback before full rollout.
Employee Education: Host information sessions, provide detailed guides, and make sure employees understand both the financial benefits and practical aspects of using the scheme.
Ongoing Support: Establish clear channels for employee questions and make sure your provider offers direct support for technical issues.
Phase 4: Monitoring and Optimisation
Usage Tracking: Monitor uptake rates, employee satisfaction, and cost savings to demonstrate the scheme's value and identify areas for improvement.
Regular Reviews: Schedule quarterly reviews with your provider to assess performance, address any challenges, and look for opportunities for improvement.
Feedback Integration: Regularly gather employee feedback to make sure the scheme continues to meet their needs and expectations.
The good news? The Charge Scheme handles most of these steps for you. We take care of the technical integration, employee onboarding, ongoing support, and compliance management - so you can focus on the benefits rather than the admin!
EV Charge Scheme Costs and Return on Investment
Cost Structure for Employers
One of the most attractive aspects of The Charge Scheme is that it is cost-neutral for employers. Unlike traditional benefits that require direct investment, The Charge Scheme is entirely funded through employee salary sacrifice.
Setup Costs: The Charge Scheme has zero setup costs, removing barriers to implementing the benefit.
Ongoing Administration: It’s designed to minimise administrative burden, with our team handling employee support, system maintenance, and compliance management.
No Hidden Costs: We handle payroll integration and employee support, so there's no additional complexity for your team.
ROI Calculations
While charge schemes don't require direct investment, they can deliver returns through:
Better Benefits Package: Attractive benefits packages can help reduce turnover and recruitment expenses.
Increased EV Salary Sacrifice Uptake: When charging is affordable, more employees are likely to choose company electric vehicles, which can improve the ROI on your existing car scheme investment.
Admin Efficiency: Fewer mileage expense claims and simplified reimbursement processes can save HR and finance time.
Employee Value Proposition
For employees, the returns on investment are clear:
Annual Savings: Frequent users can expect to save 20-50%, with heavy public charging users saving more.
Long-term Value: Over a four-year car lease, employees can save thousands of pounds compared to paying for charging from their post-tax income.
Opportunity Cost: Money saved on charging can be redirected to other priorities, effectively providing a pay rise without additional employer costs.
Legal and Compliance Considerations
HMRC Compliance
Salary sacrifice arrangements must comply with HMRC regulations to maintain their tax advantages. Key points to consider include:
Benefit Valuation: Charging benefits must be properly valued and reported to HMRC according to current guidelines.
Employment Contract Changes: Salary sacrifice requires formal changes to employment contracts, clearly documenting the reduced salary and additional benefits.
Minimum Wage Protection: Salary sacrifice cannot reduce an employee's pay below minimum wage levels.
Data Protection
Modern charge schemes process personal data, including location information, charging patterns, and financial details. Make sure your chosen provider takes the following into consideration:
GDPR Compliance: Maintains full compliance with data protection regulations and provides clear privacy policies.
Data Security: Implements appropriate security measures to protect employee information.
Transparency: Clearly explains what data is collected, how it's used, and how employees can control their information.
Employment Law
Contractual Changes: Implement proper consultation processes when introducing salary sacrifice arrangements, making sure employees understand the implications and can make informed decisions.
Equal Treatment: Make sure the scheme is available to all eligible employees on equal terms, avoiding discrimination.
Communication Requirements: Provide clear, written information about how the scheme works, its benefits, and any potential drawbacks.
Choosing the Right EV Charge Scheme for Your Business
Key Selection Criteria
Wide Coverage: Choose schemes that support all types of charging - home, workplace, and public - making sure no employees are excluded based on their circumstances.
Integration Capabilities: Select providers that integrate seamlessly with your existing payroll and HR systems, minimising complex admin.
Employee Experience: Choose schemes with user-friendly apps, extensive charging networks, and responsive customer support.
Compliance Support: Make sure your provider handles all HMRC compliance requirements and provides clear reporting for your finance team.
Scalability: Choose solutions that can grow with your business and adapt to changing employee needs.
Provider Evaluation
When evaluating charge scheme providers, consider:
Track Record: Look for providers with proven experience in salary sacrifice benefits and strong testimonials.
Technology Platform: Assess the quality of their app, reporting systems, and integration capabilities.
Support Model: Understand what ongoing support is provided for both employers and employees.
Financial Stability: Make sure the provider has the financial stability to support long-term partnerships.
Getting Started With The Charge Scheme: Implementation Checklist
Pre-Implementation
Assess current company car and transport benefits
Identify key stakeholders across HR, finance, and fleet teams
Book a demo with The Charge Scheme
Conduct an initial cost-benefit analysis using our savings calculator
Get senior leadership approval
Working with The Charge Scheme
Complete our detailed onboarding questionnaire
Attend the setup session with our implementation team
Review integration requirements with our technical team
Sign The Charge Scheme agreement
Receive payroll integration guide and setup instructions
System Setup (We Handle This)
Complete payroll system integration with our support
Receive ready-made employee communication materials
Get training for HR and payroll teams from our team
Complete system testing with our technical support
Validate setup with our implementation team
Prepare to Launch!
Use our communication templates for employee announcements
Schedule employee information sessions (we can support these)
Share our FAQ documents and support materials with employees
Direct employees to our customer support channels
Access our employer portal for monitoring and reporting
Post-Launch
Monitor uptake through our employer portal
Use our monthly reports to track employee feedback and usage
Schedule regular check-ins with your dedicated account manager
Access ongoing communication materials from our resource library
Review performance reports and ROI data through our portal
The Future of EV Charge Schemes
The situation for electric vehicle charging continues to evolve rapidly. Government initiatives, including the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, are driving increased EV adoption and infrastructure development.
Recent research from the Energy Networks Association highlights the growing importance of EV flexibility in our energy system, pointing to a future where intelligent charging schemes could offer even greater benefits.
As charging infrastructure expands and technology improves, salary sacrifice charge schemes will become increasingly important. Early adopters position themselves at the front of this transformation, offering their employees cutting-edge benefits while supporting broader sustainability objectives.
Making the Right Choice
EV charge schemes are a rare opportunity: an employee benefit that costs nothing to implement while delivering real value to your workforce. By making electric vehicle charging more affordable and accessible, these schemes remove one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption.
The Charge Scheme stands out as the UK's first and most complete salary sacrifice solution for EV charging. With support for all types of charging, seamless integration with existing benefits, and proven savings of 20-50% for employees, it turns charging costs from a concern into a competitive advantage.
Whether you're looking to improve your existing company car scheme, support employees who've already made the switch to electric, or remove barriers for those considering the transition, a well-implemented charge scheme delivers immediate and lasting benefits.
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Last updated: 15/09/2025
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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