Salary sacrifice: High driver satisfaction levels for electric vehicles

Driver satisfaction levels are high for electric vehicles (EVs), according to Tusker’s annual salary sacrifice report.

The overwhelming majority (85%) reported their EV as being more enjoyable to drive than their previous petrol or diesel car and a further 81% reported that their EV’s range is sufficient for their needs.

EV drivers reported more than 90% satisfaction in their choice of an EV on salary sacrifice when compared with their previous petrol or diesel car according to a new survey by Tusker.

While the average mileage driven per week has risen to between 100-200 miles per week in 2023, this has not dented the positive perception of EV range.

Almost two-thirds (60%) of drivers are now covering between 51-200 miles a week, while more than one-in-four (27%) cover more than 200 miles a week.

Based on these average mileages, overall, 82% of drivers only need to charge once a week to cover off their driving needs.

However, the survey has also shown that there is room for improvement with the UK’s charging network, with three-out-of-five drivers (62%) saying improved public charging infrastructure would enhance their EV experience.

Paul Gilshan, Tusker’s CEO, said: “While satisfaction is high, and arguably there has never been a better time to drive an EV, there is clearly more work that needs to be done to ensure the UK’s public charging infrastructure is suitably robust for the needs of its drivers, both today and in the future.”

In the survey of more than 5,000 drivers by Tusker, (359 non-EV Tusker drivers, 1,549 Tusker EV drivers and 3,176 drivers who are not a Tusker customer), 92% of Tusker’s EV drivers were satisfied with the driving experience, with 81% of EV drivers overall reporting that the experience was preferable to that of their previous petrol or diesel car.

Tusker says that salary sacrifice has helped get more people into an EV, with price and available savings being given as the top reasons for choosing a car on the scheme, followed by the inclusive package.

“It’s great to see first-hand that drivers continue to embrace EVs as the future of motoring,” continued Gilshan.

“With more and more drivers realising the advantage of doing so via a salary sacrifice car benefit scheme, Tusker continues to see its order book grow while tailpipe emissions fall.

“We will continue to build on this momentum, and encourage more motorists into new, affordable, and zero emission cars via our schemes, to deliver value and sustainability to employees across the UK.”

Reacting to Tusker’s survey results, Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge, said: “Contrary to what some newspapers tell us, Tusker’s real life driver data shows a 90% satisfaction with EVs.

“Both battery range and the frequency of charging just don’t appear to be issues for normal EV drivers - something we’re not hearing from the media. This is a large, statistically relevant survey that also shows that 81% of Tusker’s drivers say that the EV driving experience is better than their previous petrol or diesel car.

“Critically, Tusker’s EV drivers aren’t in the top tax band, instead they are average income, salary sacrifice users who clearly enjoy life with an electric car; again proving how EVs are becoming more affordable.'

To read the Tusker report in full, click here.