- Pictured above is Clinical Physiotherapist and First Contact Physiotherapy Lead, Adam Kenny, who has chosen an all-electric Mercedes EQA 250+ 140kw AMG Line Executive on the new salary sacrifice scheme at Novus Health
WAKEFIELD-BASED independent healthcare provider, Novus Health, has partnered with Glasgow’s Fleet Alliance to launch a new electric vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme for its employees. The initiative aims to provide a wider range of benefits to staff while promoting sustainable transportation.
Founded in 2007 by a group of GP practices in the Wakefield and Five Towns region, Novus Health is run by a board of local GPs and GP practice managers. Although independent from the NHS, its shareholders are all NHS employees, including GPs and hospital specialists.
The new salary sacrifice scheme offers around 35 eligible staff members access to a wide selection of EVs at cost-effective monthly rentals. Novus Health’s Finance Director, Paul Gomersall, explained that the decision followed extensive research into salary sacrifice options and a desire to enhance employee benefits.
“There has been a very positive reaction to the scheme to date,” Gomersall commented. “Electric cars are very cost advantageous because of the low taxation associated with them, and our staff have appreciated that.”
To ensure employees are well-informed about the scheme, Novus Health is utilising various communication channels, including its business intranet and regular emails.
“Fleet Alliance has been very pro-active in communicating the scheme to our staff with a number of launch initiatives to promote its availability plus ongoing communication with employees,” Gomersall added.
Communication efforts include a comprehensive marketing pack detailing vehicle availability and rates, along with email and Dropbox content addressing employee queries regarding charging options and vehicle range.
Adam Kenny, Clinical Physiotherapist and First Contact Physiotherapy Lead at Novus Health, is already experiencing the benefits firsthand. He opted for an all-electric Mercedes EQA 250+ 140kw AMG Line Executive five-door automatic through the scheme.
“This is my first electric car and first Mercedes. I am loving the cheap running costs and, as the car is fully maintained, there is nothing to worry about. Fleet Alliance has been great to deal with and helped with the installation of the vehicle charger. I have been very impressed to date.”
Adam Kenny, Clinical Physiotherapist and First Contact Physiotherapy Lead at Novus Health
Andy Bruce, CEO of Fleet Alliance, highlighted the growing trend of businesses adopting EVs through salary sacrifice schemes. “Electric cars delivered through a salary sacrifice scheme combine advantageous tax breaks with a sustainable solution for businesses,“ he said.
”We are witnessing growing numbers of our customers, like Novus Healthcare, going electric by adding either electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids to their fleets as they move to meet their own Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) timetables.“
Bruce emphasised the significant cost savings associated with EV salary sacrifice schemes. Fleet Alliance estimates that leasing an EV through their scheme can save up to 50% in running costs compared to personal contract hire, without impacting personal credit lines.
“Electric car salary sacrifice offers huge tax benefits,” Bruce concluded. “And, as we tender each salary sacrifice lease across the most competitive funders, we can leverage access to an electric car for our customers and their employees.”