Electric Car Battery Life and Range: The UK 2026 Guide

Key Insights

• Most EV batteries last 8–15 years or 150,000–200,000 miles before dropping below 80% capacity, with Geotab's 2025–26 study of 22,700 vehicles confirming average degradation of just 2.3% per year.
• Real-world range in 2026 runs 180–380 miles depending on segment and conditions, typically 21% below WLTP in mild driving and around 33% below in cold winter motorway conditions.
• Charging habits are the single biggest controllable factor in battery health: daily DC rapid charging above 100kW accelerates degradation, while slow AC home charging at 7p/kWh via The Charge Scheme is the cheapest and gentlest option.
• A typical 36-month salary sacrifice scheme through The Electric Car Scheme keeps the battery inside its manufacturer warranty for the full term, transferring degradation risk off the employee entirely.

An EV battery typically lasts 8–15 years or 150,000–200,000 miles before dropping below 80% of its original capacity, and most manufacturer warranties guarantee exactly that threshold. Real-world range in 2026 sits between roughly 180 and 380 miles, depending on vehicle segment, speed, and temperature. Electric car battery life is one of the most common concerns for drivers considering the switch, and the data now answers it clearly.

This guide brings together the structured reference data behind both questions: battery warranties by manufacturer, year-by-year degradation curves, real-world range by model and segment, seasonal variation, and why asalary sacrifice scheme removes battery risk for both employee and employer.

How We Compiled This Data: Methodology

This page is a structured reference resource that is updated regularly. It is a companion to the electric car range-explained guide, which covers range concepts and driving tips in an editorial format. This page provides the underlying data tables.

Data Sources

• Battery warranties: manufacturers' official warranty documentation, UK market, verified May 2026

• Degradation data: Geotab 2025–26 analysis of 22,700+ vehicles, and Recurrent Auto analysis of 15,000+ EVs (the largest independent datasets available; UK patterns are broadly comparable)

• Real-world range at 70mph: independent UK road test data (Carwow, What Car?, Electrifying.com, Autocar)

• Seasonal variation: independent UK winter testing data and manufacturer cold-weather specifications

• WLTP range: manufacturer official figures, longest-range UK variant

• Salary sacrifice costs: verified from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool, 40% taxpayer, £60k salary, 36-month term, 10,000 miles per year

  Last reviewed: June 2026. Real-world range figures assume a motorway cruise at approximately 70mph with a 20% battery reserve. Winter figures assume 0–5°C ambient temperature with cabin heating in use. Degradation percentages are averages across vehicle types; individual results vary by charging habits and climate.

Electric Car Battery Life: How Long Batteries Last

Modern EV batteries are significantly more durable than public perception suggests.

Many Tesla batteries still have over 80% capacity after 300,000 km, and most drivers lose about 5% capacity within the first 50,000 km, after which the decline slows significantly. The warranty data below is the most reliable framework for understanding what manufacturers themselves commit to.

Battery Warranty by Manufacturer

An 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty with a 70% capacity guarantee is now the industry norm. The table below covers the major brands available through The Electric Car Scheme.

Brand	Battery warranty	Mileage cap	Capacity threshold	Transferable?
Hyundai	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Kia	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Tesla	8 years	100,000-150,000 miles (model dependent)	70%	Yes
Volkswagen	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
BMW	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Volvo	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Polestar	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Nissan	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Renault	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Mercedes	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
MG	7 years	80,000 miles	70%	Yes
Peugeot	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Skoda	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes
Ford	8 years	100,000 miles	70%	Yes

All figures are for UK market new vehicles. "Transferable" indicates whether the remaining battery warranty passes to subsequent private owners. On a salary sacrifice lease the vehicle remains registered to the employer, and the battery warranty applies in full throughout the lease term.

The practical implication for electric car salary sacrifice is significant. A typical manufacturer warranty on an EV battery lasts between 8 and 10 years, which means almost every lease deal for a brand-new EV includes the battery being under warranty for the entire duration. On a standard 36-month salary sacrifice term, the battery is covered for the full lease, leaving five or more years of warranty remaining when the car is returned.

Degradation Curve: What to Expect Year by Year

Battery degradation is gradual and predictable rather than sudden. Geotab's 2025–26 analysis of over 22,700 electric vehicles across 21 models confirms an average degradation rate of 2.3% per year, projecting that the average battery retains approximately 81.6% of its original capacity after eight years.

The study also found that high-power DC fast charging above 100kW is associated with higher degradation than lower-power charging, and that vehicles in hotter climates lose roughly 0.4% additional capacity per year compared with milder regions. UK temperatures are moderate by global standards, so British drivers tend to sit at the lower end of the degradation range.

Year	Typical capacity remaining	Cumulative loss	Notes
Year 1	~97-98%	2-3%	Fastest initial drop; settles quickly
Year 2	~95-96%	4-5%	Rate slows considerably after year 1
Year 3	~93-95%	5-7%	Typical end of salary sacrifice lease term
Year 4	~92-94%	6-8%	Well within warranty threshold
Year 5	~91-93%	7-9%
Year 6	~90-92%	8-10%
Year 7	~89-91%	9-11%
Year 8	~88-90%	10-12%	End of standard warranty period
Year 10	~85-88%	12-15%	Most batteries still well above 70% threshold

Source: Geotab 2025-2026 study of 22,700+ vehicles across 21 models. Individual results vary by charging habits, temperature exposure, and state of charge management. LFP battery chemistry - used in some MG, BYD, and base Tesla models - typically shows lower degradation than NMC chemistry. UK moderate climate is expected to produce degradation at the lower end of the range shown.

The key point for salary sacrifice drivers is that at the end of a typical 36-month lease, the battery retains approximately 93–95% of its original capacity on average. The employee returns the car, and any subsequent degradation is not their concern.

What Happens to the Battery After the Warranty?

Most EV batteries continue to function usefully well beyond the warranty period. Fleet and taxi data show that modern packsrarely need full replacement within the warranty window, with gradual capacity loss rather than sudden failures. After the warranty expires, three outcomes are most common.

A battery at 80–85% capacity after 8–10 years still provides 250–350 miles of real-world range on most mainstream EVs, enough for the vast majority of UK drivers. Batteries that have passed their warranty period often retain 80% or more of their capacity, which is what makesused electric car salary sacrifice viable: a used Hyundai Ioniq 5 with 85% battery capacity still delivers around 270 miles of real-world range at a considerably lower monthly cost than a new equivalent. Packs that drop below 70–80% are increasingly repurposed for stationary energy storage, and most major manufacturers including Volkswagen, Nissan, and Renault operate documented second-life and recycling programmes.

Battery Replacement: Cost and Likelihood

Full battery replacement for an electric vehicle typically costs between £5,000 and £15,000 depending on the model, battery size, and whether the work is carried out by the manufacturer's network or an independent specialist. The more common scenario, though, is targeted replacement of underperforming individual cells within the module, which is significantly cheaper.

Full replacement is an uncommon event during the practical lifespan of most EVs. A battery that has lost 15% capacity after eight years still delivers 85% of its original range, which is perfectly adequate for the average UK driver covering well under 100 miles a day. Battery pack costs have fallen by over 80% in the past decade and continue to drop, so the fear of an expensive replacement has historically been a bigger deterrent than the reality warrants.

Key Takeaways

• An 8-year/100,000-mile warranty at 70% capacity is now the industry standard across all major brands.

• Geotab's 2025–26 study confirms average degradation of 2.3% per year, with 81.6% capacity retained after eight years.

• At the end of a typical 36-month salary sacrifice lease, the battery retains approximately 93–95% of original capacity.

• High-power DC fast charging above 100kW is the single biggest controllable factor in accelerating degradation.

Electric Car Range: How Far Can EVs Go?

Range varies by speed, temperature, driving style, and payload. All real-world figures below assume a motorway cruise at approximately 70mph with a 20% reserve maintained. Summer figures assume 15–20°C in mixed driving; winter figures assume 0–5°C with cabin heating in use.

WLTP vs Real-World Range

WLTP (the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) is a standardised lab test used across the UK and Europe to compare models like-for-like. Real-world driving rarely matches lab conditions, so expect real-world range to fall below the WLTP figure. The table below shows WLTP, real-world range at 70mph, and efficiency for the top 20 EVs by range available in the UK in 2026, drawing on independent UK road test data.

Rank	Model	WLTP range	Battery (kWh)	Real-world @ 70mph	Efficiency (mi/kWh)
1	Mercedes EQS 450+	480 miles	118	~379 miles	~4.1
2	Peugeot E-5008 Long Range	413 miles	98	~326 miles	~4.2
3	Tesla Model 3 Long Range	410 miles	82	~324 miles	~5.0
4	Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range	400 miles	84	~316 miles	~4.8
5	Polestar 3 Long Range	400 miles	111	~316 miles	~3.6
6	VW ID.7 Pro S	399 miles	86	~315 miles	~4.6
7	BMW i7 xDrive60	387 miles	101	~306 miles	~3.8
8	Hyundai Ioniq 9	385 miles	110	~304 miles	~3.5
9	Kia EV6 Long Range	383 miles	84	~303 miles	~4.6
10	Volvo EX90	378 miles	111	~299 miles	~3.4
11	Skoda Enyaq	377 miles	82	~298 miles	~4.6
12	Polestar 2 Long Range	370 miles	82	~292 miles	~4.5
13	Kia EV9	349 miles	99.8	~276 miles	~3.5
14	BYD Seal Long Range	354 miles	82.5	~280 miles	~4.3
15	Tesla Model Y Long Range	331 miles	84.7	~261 miles	~3.9
16	Nissan Ariya 87kWh	329 miles	87	~260 miles	~3.8
17	MG4 Extended Range	323 miles	77	~255 miles	~4.2
18	Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range	315 miles	84	~249 miles	~3.75
19	VW ID.4 Pro	330 miles	82	~261 miles	~4.0
20	Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended	373 miles	91	~295 miles	~4.1

Real-world figures are estimates based on independent UK road test data from Carwow, What Car?, Electrifying.com, and Autocar. WLTP figures are manufacturer official UK-market figures for the longest-range variant. For themost efficient electric cars in 2026 ranked by kWh, see our dedicated efficiency guide.

As a general multiplier, take the WLTP figure and multiply by approximately 0.79 for a 70mph motorway estimate in mild conditions, or 0.67 in cold UK winter conditions with heating in use. Aerodynamic drag rises sharply above 60mph, which is why motorway range drops further below WLTP than city driving does.

Real-World Range by Vehicle Segment

For drivers shopping by body type rather than headline range, the tables below give realistic real-world estimates for popular models across each segment available through the electric car scheme.

Small EVs

Model	WLTP Range	Estimated Real-World Range
Renault 5 E-Tech (52kWh)	248 miles	200–225 miles
Volkswagen ID.3 (58kWh)	263 miles	210–235 miles
Mini Electric (54kWh)	227 miles	180–205 miles
Nissan Leaf (40kWh)	168 miles	130–155 miles
BYD Dolphin	265 miles	215–240 miles

Mid-Size Cars & Saloons

Model	WLTP Range	Estimated Real-World Range
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	390 miles	310–350 miles
BMW i4 eDrive40	358 miles	290–325 miles
Polestar 2 Long Range	394 miles	315–355 miles
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range	381 miles	300–345 miles
Mercedes CLA Electric	492 miles	390–445 miles

SUVs

Model	WLTP Range	Estimated Real-World Range
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range	316 miles	255–285 miles
Tesla Model Y Long Range	357 miles	285–320 miles
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro	338 miles	270–305 miles
Kia EV6 Long Range	328 miles	265–295 miles
Audi Q4 e-tron	321 miles	255–290 miles

Luxury & Flagship EVs

Model	WLTP Range	Estimated Real-World Range
Polestar 3 Long Range	379 miles	300–340 miles
BMW iX xDrive50	380 miles	305–345 miles
Mercedes EQS 450+	453 miles	360–410 miles
Audi e-tron GT	303 miles	240–275 miles

Driving Style: Motorway vs City

Counterintuitively, motorway driving is harder on EV range than urban driving. At high speeds aerodynamic drag increases sharply, so a 70mph cruise uses far more energy per mile than a 30mph urban journey where regenerative braking recaptures energy at every stop. A vehicle with a 250-mile WLTP figure might deliver 280–300 miles in slow urban traffic, 220–250 miles on A-roads and dual carriageways, and 180–210 miles on sustained motorway running at 70mph or more. Understanding this profile helps with journey planning; the electric car range explained guide covers route-planning tools in detail.

Seasonal Variation: UK Summer vs Winter

Cold weather is the single biggest cause of temporary range reduction for UK drivers. The table below shows estimated real-world range across summer mixed driving and cold winter motorway conditions for 10 representative models, assuming 0–5°C with cabin heating in use.

Model	WLTP	Summer (mixed driving)	Winter (motorway, 0-5°C)	Seasonal drop
Mercedes EQS 450+	480 miles	~446 miles	~322 miles	~28%
Polestar 3 Long Range	400 miles	~372 miles	~268 miles	~28%
Hyundai Ioniq 9	385 miles	~358 miles	~258 miles	~28%
Volvo EX90	378 miles	~352 miles	~253 miles	~28%
Skoda Enyaq	377 miles	~351 miles	~253 miles	~28%
Kia EV9	349 miles	~325 miles	~234 miles	~28%
Tesla Model Y Long Range	331 miles	~308 miles	~222 miles	~28%
Hyundai Ioniq 5	315 miles	~293 miles	~211 miles	~28%
MG4 Extended Range	323 miles	~300 miles	~216 miles	~28%
Peugeot e-2008	248 miles	~231 miles	~166 miles	~28%

A seasonal drop of approximately 28% between summer mixed driving and cold winter motorway conditions is consistent with independent UK winter testing data. Models with standard-fit heat pumps, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, and Volvo EX90, typically perform at the better end of this range in cold conditions. Preconditioning the battery while plugged in before departure recovers a significant portion of cold-weather range loss.

Key Takeaways

• Real-world motorway range at 70mph is typically 79% of WLTP in mild conditions and 67% in cold UK winter conditions

• Heat pump fitment significantly reduces cold-weather range loss - prioritise models where it is standard rather than optional

• Pre-conditioning while plugged in before a cold-weather journey is the single most effective tactic for recovering winter range

• The top 20 EVs by WLTP range now cover 248-480 miles officially, with real-world motorway figures of 196-379 miles

What Affects Battery Life and Range?

Three variables have the most material impact on long-term battery health: charging habits, temperature, and state-of-charge management. A few secondary factors also affect range journey to journey.

Charging Habits

Charging behaviour is the most controllable factor in battery longevity. Geotab's 2025–26 analysis confirmed that high-power DC fast charging above 100kW is associated with higher degradation than lower-power charging. The practical hierarchy, from best to worst for battery health, is set out below.

Charging method	Typical power	Impact on battery	Cost via Charge Scheme (7p/kWh)
AC home charging (overnight)	7 kW	Lowest stress; optimal for daily use	~2.0p/mile
AC workplace charging	7-22 kW	Low stress; comparable to home	~2.0p/mile
DC rapid charging (50-100 kW)	50-100 kW	Moderate stress; fine occasionally	~15p/mile (public rate)
DC ultra-rapid charging (100 kW+)	100-350 kW	Higher stress; avoid as primary charging method	~22p/mile (public rate)

The Charge Scheme covers home AC charging at 7p/kWh off-peak, both the cheapest per-mile option and the gentlest method for the battery. For a 40% taxpayer using salary sacrifice, that rate falls further to roughly 4–5.6p/kWh after income tax and National Insurance relief. This does not mean rapid charging should be avoided entirely; occasional DC rapid charging on long journeys has a negligible impact on battery health. The concern is relying on 100kW+ chargers as the primary daily method rather than as a supplement to home charging.

Temperature Extremes

Vehicles operating in hotter climates experience moderately faster battery degradation, with an estimated 0.4% additional annual impact compared with milder regions. UK temperatures are moderate by global standards - this places UK drivers at a natural advantage relative to the global fleet averages in the Geotab dataset.

Cold weather affects range more visibly than it affects long-term battery health. The two effects are distinct:

• Cold weather and range: temporary reduction of approximately 28% in extreme conditions, recovered when temperatures normalise

• Heat and long-term degradation: sustained high ambient temperatures accelerate permanent capacity loss over the years

Most modern EVs use active thermal management systems that maintain the battery within an optimal temperature window regardless of ambient conditions. This is one reason newer EVs degrade more slowly than the early generation of EVs without active cooling.

State of Charge

Keeping the battery between 20% and 80% state of charge for daily use is the most widely cited battery longevity recommendation, and the data support it. Regularly charging to 100% or allowing the battery to drain below 10% puts additional stress on the cells at the extremes of their electrochemical range.

Charging habit	Recommended for	Effect on longevity
Charge to 80% daily	Daily commuting and typical use	Optimal - preserves cell chemistry
Charge to 100%	Before long trips only	Fine occasionally; not for daily use
Keep above 20%	All conditions	Avoids deep discharge stress
Use scheduled charging	Overnight home charging	Allows battery to finish charging close to departure time, minimising time at 100%

Most EVs allow you to set a charging limit - typically via the car's app or infotainment system. Setting this to 80% for daily use and overriding it to 100% before long trips is the single most impactful daily habit for battery longevity.

The practical range difference between 80% and 100% on a 300-mile WLTP car is approximately 60 miles - sufficient for the vast majority of UK daily journeys without any compromise.

Secondary Range Factors

Several smaller factors have a measurable impact on range journey to journey. Passenger and cargo weight increases consumption, particularly on hilly terrain. Resistive cabin heating on cold days can cut range by 10–20%, whereas EVs with heat pumpsare considerably more efficient. Under-inflated tyres raise rolling resistance, so check pressures monthly, as EVs are heavier than equivalent petrol cars and most manufacturers recommend slightly higher pressures. Roof boxes and bike racks significantly affect aerodynamics at motorway speeds.

Key Takeaways

• Home AC charging at 7 kW is the best-for-battery and lowest-cost charging method - combine it with The Charge Scheme for the lowest effective rate

• DC rapid charging above 100 kW accelerates degradation - use it for long journeys, not as a daily charging method

• Set your daily charge limit to 80% and override to 100% before long trips only

• UK moderate temperatures place British drivers at a natural degradation advantage vs the global average in the Geotab dataset

How to Maximise Battery Life and Range

Five evidence-based tactics, ranked by impact, apply throughout a salary sacrifice lease and have a cumulative effect on the battery's state of health at the point of return.Charging at home on AC overnight has the highest impact. Slow 7kW charging is the gentlest method and the cheapest per mile; via The Charge Scheme at 7p/kWh, a full charge on a 77kWh battery costs around £5.39, and salary sacrifice relief reduces this further for eligible employees. Setting a daily charge limit of 80% and overriding to 100% only before long trips is the single most meaningful habit for long-term capacity retention.Preconditioning while plugged in warms or cools the cabin and battery using grid power rather than battery power, which matters most in cold weather when batteries are least efficient, and most EVs support scheduling through a smartphone app. Avoiding deep discharges below 10% protects the cells at the lower end of their range; planning charging stops on longer journeys helps here, and our guide on how to get the most range from your electric car covers route planning in full. Finally, reserving DC rapid charging for journeys where speed genuinely matters protects both battery health and cost.

Salary Sacrifice and Battery Risk: Why It Matters

Battery anxiety, the concern about long-term capacity loss, replacement costs, and resale value, is one of the most commonly cited barriers to EV adoption. A salary sacrifice scheme removes this concern almost entirely for both employee and employer.

For the Employee

On a standard 36-month salary sacrifice lease, the battery is covered by the manufacturer's warranty for the full term and then some. At the end of 36 months the average battery retains approximately 93–95% of its original capacity based on the Geotab 2025–26 dataset. The employee returns the car, so any subsequent degradation, future capacity loss, or post-lease battery behaviour is simply not their problem. This contrasts directly with personal ownership or PCP finance, where the owner carries the full depreciation and degradation risk: a battery that drops to 75% capacity at year six of personal ownership is a real reduction in resale value and daily usability, whereas with salary sacrifice that risk never materialises for the driver.The wider financial case reinforces the point. With the 2026/27 Benefit-in-Kind rate for pure EVs at just 4%, compared with up to 37% for high-emission petrol cars, employees can save 20–50% on the cost of leasing a brand-new electric car against a standard personal lease, with no exposure to battery replacement costs throughout the scheme term. Use the salary sacrifice calculator to see what you could save, and our guide to Benefit-in-Kind on electric cars for how the 4% rate is applied.

For the Employer

Employers offering salary sacrifice on higher-value EVs, particularly premium SUVs above £60,000, naturally want certainty about what happens if an employee leaves mid-term. The Electric Car Scheme's Complete Employer Protection covers employers from Day 1 against early termination costs if an employee resigns, is made redundant, or goes on long-term leave, with no exclusion period and no excess to pay. This is the employer-side equivalent of the employee's battery-risk removal: just as the employee does not carry degradation risk, the employer does not carry termination risk. Both sides are de-risked from Day 1, which is what makes salary sacrifice on premium, higher-value EVs viable for businesses that would otherwise hesitate. You can see how the numbers work for your organisation in our guide to how salary sacrifice works for companies.

Key Takeaways

A 36-month salary sacrifice lease sits entirely within the manufacturer battery warranty on all major brands.The employee returns the car at the end of the term, so degradation risk beyond that point is not their concern.Salary sacrifice transfers battery depreciation risk off the employee more completely than any other financing method.Complete Employer Protection covers employers from Day 1 against early termination liability on all models.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an electric car battery last?

Most EV batteries carry an 8-year/100,000-mile manufacturer warranty guaranteeing at least 70% capacity. In practice, Geotab's 2025–26 analysis of 22,700+ vehicles confirms average degradation of 2.3% per year, projecting 81.6% capacity after eight years. Real-world data suggests most batteries last 13–15 years before a meaningful capacity drop.

How far can an electric car go on one charge in 2026?

The longest-range EV available in the UK is the Mercedes EQS 450+ at 480 miles WLTP and around 379 miles real-world at 70mph. Most mainstream EVs deliver 250–350 miles in real-world mixed conditions, while small city EVs and older models typically deliver 180–250 miles. The average new EV sold in the UK in 2026 exceeds 300 miles WLTP.

Do electric car batteries wear out?

Yes, gradually. Average degradation is approximately 2.3% per year based on Geotab's 2025–26 study, meaning around 10–12% total loss after eight years. This is well above the 70% warranty threshold, so most drivers never need a battery replacement. Degradation is slower in moderate climates and with good charging habits.

Should I charge my EV to 100% every night?

No. Setting a daily charge limit of 80% and overriding to 100% only before long trips preserves battery chemistry. Most EVs allow a charge limit to be set via the car's app. The practical range difference between 80% and 100% on a 300-mile WLTP car is around 60 miles, sufficient for the vast majority of UK daily journeys.

How much does it cost to replace an EV battery?

Full replacement typically costs £5,000–£15,000 depending on model and pack size, though targeted replacement of individual cells is far cheaper and more common. Full replacement is rare within an EV's practical life, and pack costs have fallen over 80% in the past decade. On a salary sacrifice scheme you return the car within warranty, so replacement cost is never the driver's concern.

Is the battery covered if I salary sacrifice an electric car?

Yes. The manufacturer's battery warranty applies in full throughout a salary sacrifice scheme. On a standard 36-month term the battery is covered for the entire period with five or more years of warranty remaining at return, and the employee carries no battery degradation or replacement risk during or after the lease.

Do electric cars lose range in cold weather?

Yes, by approximately 28% between summer mixed driving and cold motorway conditions at 0–5°C with heating in use, based on independent UK winter testing data. Preconditioning the battery and cabin while still plugged in recovers a significant portion of this loss, and models with standard-fit heat pumps perform better in the cold.

The Bottom Line

Electric car battery life and range are no longer the unknowns they once were. The technology is mature, warranties are consistent across every major brand, and independent data from tens of thousands of vehicles confirms that batteries far outlast early fears, degrading around 2.3% a year and holding well above the 70% warranty threshold for a decade or more. For most UK employees, the most cost-effective and lowest-risk route to a new electric car remains a salary sacrifice scheme: with the 2026/27 BiK rate at 4%, savings of 20–50% versus a standard lease, Complete Employer Protection from Day 1, and no battery risk during the term.See what you could save with our salary sacrifice calculator, or explore how the scheme works for companies if you are an employer considering offering it.

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Take the next step and see how much you could save on the cost of an EV through salary sacrifice by using our calculator, or you can read the guide on the best long-range EVs worth considering.

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Last updated: 02/06/2026

Information and prices provided are accurate at the time of release and may be subject to change. Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; Using a flat payment profile, 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. 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 Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your 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 or insurance provider.

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