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UK EV Company Car Tax Guide 2025–2028: BiK Rates, Tax Write-Offs & Employer NI

UK EV Company Car Tax Guide 2025–2028: BiK Rates, Tax Write-Offs & Employer NI

By Charlotte DaviesLast updated: August 202610 min read
Statutory source alignment verified for August 2026 by Charlotte Davies (Statutory Research)

Electric company cars remain one of the single most lucrative tax planning strategies for UK business owners, company directors, and employees. By aligning company car tax on electric cars uk with 100% First-Year Capital Allowances, companies can maximize electric car tax write off uk opportunities while offering staff attractive company tax benefits for electric cars uk.

This comprehensive guide details the HMRC Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate timeline through 2028, Corporation Tax deductions, Class 1A National Insurance savings, and practical advice on structuring tax relief on electric cars uk 2026.

1. Electric Company Car BiK Rates (2024–2028)

When an employer provides a vehicle to an employee or director for private use, HMRC treats the benefit as taxable income. The taxable benefit is calculated as:

BiK Taxable Value = P11D List Price × BiK Rate Percentage

HM Treasury has confirmed the uk ev tax BiK schedule through 2028 to provide long-term planning stability for corporate fleets:

Tax YearZero-Emission EV (BEV) BiK %Taxable Value (£40,000 EV)40% Taxpayer Annual Bill
2024 / 20252%£800£320 / year (£26.66 / mo)
2025 / 20263%£1,200£480 / year (£40.00 / mo)
2026 / 20274%£1,600£640 / year (£53.33 / mo)
2027 / 20285%£2,000£800 / year (£66.66 / mo)

2. 100% First-Year Capital Allowances (Corporation Tax Write-Off)

One of the most attractive tax advantages of electric cars uk for limited companies is the 100% First-Year Capital Allowance (FYA).

When a business purchases a brand-new zero-emission electric car, 100% of the cost can be written off against taxable profits in the first accounting period:

Corporation Tax Relief Example (£50,000 Electric Car Purchase)

Vehicle Purchase Price: £50,000

First-Year Capital Allowance Claimed: £50,000 (100% deduction)

Corporation Tax Rate: 25% (Main Rate)

• Corporation Tax Reduction: £12,500 cash tax savings in Year 1!

By contrast, purchasing a petrol or diesel company car with emissions exceeding 50g/km limits capital allowances to just 6% per year on a reducing balance basis.

3. Employer Class 1A National Insurance Savings

Employers pay Class 1A National Insurance on non-cash benefits provided to employees. Class 1A NI is calculated at 15% (for 2025/26) of the BiK taxable value.

Because an electric vehicle's BiK taxable value is small, employer NI contributions drop dramatically:

  • £45,000 Petrol Car (30% BiK): Taxable value = £13,500 → Employer Class 1A NI = £2,025 / year
  • £45,000 Electric Car (3% BiK): Taxable value = £1,350 → Employer Class 1A NI = £202.50 / year
  • Annual Employer NI Savings: £1,822.50 / year per vehicle!

4. Workplace Charging & Re-Charging Tax Exemptions

HMRC provides additional tax breaks for electric cars uk regarding electricity supply and charging infrastructure:

1. Free Workplace Electricity

Providing free charging at workplace premises for employees’ electric vehicles is tax-free and creates zero taxable benefit.

2. Home Chargepoint Installation

If a business supplies a home chargepoint alongside a company electric vehicle, the installation is exempt from additional BiK tax.

3. Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) for Business Mileage

HMRC publishes standard Advisory Electricity Rates (AER) for business miles driven in company EVs, currently set at 7p to 9p per mile tax-free.

5. Real-World Case Study: EV vs Petrol Company Car

Let's compare the total 3-year corporate and personal tax impact of leasing a £45,000 Electric Car vs a £45,000 Petrol Car for a 40% higher rate employee:

Metric (3-Year Total)Electric Car (BEV)Petrol Car (ICE)Net EV Savings
Employee BiK Tax (40% Taxpayer)£1,440 (£40/mo avg)£16,200 (£450/mo)Save £14,760
Employer Class 1A NI (15%)£540£6,075Save £5,535
Annual VED Road Tax (Year 2+)£1,200 (includes luxury surcharge)£1,200 (includes luxury surcharge)Equal
Combined 3-Year Tax Savings£20,295 Total Tax Saved!

6. Calculating Corporate EV Tax Savings

To model exact numbers for your business or personal company car scheme, use our suite of free online financial calculators:

Finsiva UK Tax Tools

Calculate Benefit-in-Kind tax, road tax (VED), and National Insurance contributions instantly:

7. Frequently Asked Questions

What are the electric company car BiK tax rates in the UK from 2025 to 2028?

The Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for zero-emission electric company cars increases by 1% per year: 2% in 2024/25, 3% in 2025/26, 4% in 2026/27, and 5% in 2027/28. These rates remain substantially lower than petrol or diesel company cars (which reach up to 37%).

Can a UK business write off 100% of an electric car purchase against Corporation Tax?

Yes. Businesses purchasing brand new, zero-emission electric cars can claim 100% First-Year Capital Allowances (FYA). This allows the entire purchase price of the electric car to be deducted from taxable business profits in the year of acquisition, reducing Corporation Tax at 19% or 25%.

How does Employer Class 1A National Insurance work on electric company cars?

Employers pay Class 1A National Insurance on company car benefits. Because the BiK taxable value of an electric car is so low (3% of P11D in 2025/26), employer Class 1A NI liability is minimal (around £200/year for a £45,000 EV compared to over £2,000/year for an equivalent petrol car).

Is workplace electric car charging taxable as a Benefit-in-Kind in the UK?

No. HMRC specifically exempts workplace charging from BiK tax when an employer provides free or subsidized electricity to charge employee electric vehicles at business premises.