More than half of UK employers now consider car salary sacrifice schemes essential to their sustainability strategies. The change reflects a move from a simple employee perk to a key tool for meeting environmental targets.
Tusker’s EV Employer Survey 2026 revealed that 57% of employers believe these schemes have helped them reach environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Affordability drives adoption, with 72% citing it as the primary reason for offering the benefit, making electric vehicles accessible to more workers.
From benefit to business strategy
The survey shows how companies now view employee benefits differently. Over half of employers (52%) say sustainability shapes their decisions on perks, while 18% require all new benefits to be sustainable. Stricter emissions rules and reporting demands are increasing this pressure.
Kit Wisdom, Tusker’s managing director, stated that employers no longer treat EV salary sacrifice as just a company car benefit. “It’s part of the wider business strategy, helping companies progress toward sustainability goals,” he said. “Providing an affordable way to switch to electric vehicles benefits both employers and their staff.”
For many, the schemes offer a practical way to cut emissions without large upfront costs. Three-quarters of employers insist on a CO₂ cap to ensure benefits align with sustainability plans. Tusker’s data confirms the trend: electric car orders among its customers rose from 17% in 2019 to 80% in 2025.
Not all employers are ready to eliminate petrol and diesel options. More than half (53%) will continue offering both to keep the schemes inclusive. The aim is to meet environmental targets while ensuring employees at all income levels can participate.
The approach highlights a tension in corporate sustainability. Companies want to reduce their carbon footprint but must also provide benefits that suit a diverse workforce. Salary sacrifice schemes, where employees exchange part of their pre-tax salary for a car, offer a solution: lower emissions and more affordable driving.
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Pressure to adapt
External forces are also driving the shift toward greener fleets. Sustainability disclosures are now standard in the fleet sector, pushing decision-makers to rethink vehicle management from procurement to daily use.
Businesses face increasing pressure to reduce emissions and demonstrate environmental leadership, with increased sustainability disclosure becoming the norm. Environmental accountability remains front of mind, with 75% of employers saying it is important for EV salary sacrifice schemes to include a CO₂ cap to help align employee benefits with wider sustainability strategies.
This includes tracking government policies and holding legislators accountable. For now, salary sacrifice schemes remain one of the few tools allowing quick action. They don’t require major investments or infrastructure changes—just a restructuring of benefits.
The trend is gaining momentum. As the UK’s transition to electric vehicles speeds up, more employers will likely adopt these schemes. The benefits extend beyond the environment, offering a competitive edge in attracting talent.
Fleet News will throw the spotlight on how fleets can become more sustainable as part of a week-long series of events in September. Sustainability Week will feature insight and thought leadership published daily on the Fleet News website from September 14 to 18.
The data points to a clear shift: what began as a niche perk is now a mainstream strategy. Employers slow to adapt risk falling behind.
