Fleets are taking an increasing interest in the tax benefits of the third-generation Toyota Prius, which goes on sale next month.

With emission figures of 89g/km of CO2 and 72.4mpg on a combined cycle, its environmental performance yields more savings through a zero VED charge; 10% BIK; 100% WDA and exemption from the London congestion charge.

“Previously the Prius would not have been in our considerations as a fleet vehicle,” explained Ken Stanford, financial controller at Biesse Group.
“But now it will be a serious contender, with its economies not just for the company, but for the driver as well.”

Stanford joined around 100 fleet operators and leasing representatives for Toyota’s ‘hybrid experience’ at MIRA’s test track facility last week, where the £18,370 Prius was tested.

David Hemington, finance director and company secretary at Hoval Ltd, added: “The launch of the new Prius with its improved body style, low benefit-in-kind and high miles per gallon, will almost certainly increase the selection of the Prius by our user-chooser sales and service engineers.”

Toyota’s sales director Richard Balshaw sees interest from fleets being divided into three categories.

“The first is from organisations who want to make an environmental statement,” he said. “The second is fleet managers who want to reduce the cost of running their fleet and the third is user-choosers who want to reduce their personal tax burden, but they don’t want to compromise in terms of space, comfort, style and performance.”

Fleets are expected to account for around 70% of the 7,200 models Toyota aims to sell in 2010, with any incentives or discounts from the manufacturer dependant on fleet size, but with no national promotions planned.

Prices from Lex, based on three years 60,000 miles, have the current Prius Spirit priced at £408 per month, compared to £411 for the new model and £413 for the VW Passat Blue Motion.