Jessica BirdHealthy snacks manufacturer Warp Snacks has launched an electric car salary sacrifice scheme for employees in partnership with Glasgow-based fleet management and leasing provider Fleet Alliance. The initiative aims to expand employee benefits while contributing to the company’s environmental goals.
Formed in 2021 from the merger of Eat Real and PROPER Snacks, Warp Snacks operates a factory in Nuneaton with around 250 manufacturing staff and 80 office employees. The company also has a brand hub in Central London, employing an additional 60 people.
The salary sacrifice scheme, introduced in January as part of Warp Snacks’ People and Planet goals, is available to approximately 130 eligible staff across various teams, including People, IT, Operations, Product Development, Technical, and Sales and Marketing.
Eleanor Sheehan (pictured) from the people team at Warp Snacks said: “We’re always looking at ways to introduce new and exciting benefits for our teams.
“The decision to implement a salary sacrifice car scheme was ongoing when I joined the company last August, so I picked up the project quite late in the game and have been responsible for its implementation.
“As a leading EV provider, Fleet Alliance was always high on our list. I had worked with another supplier previously at another company and did not have a great experience. So, I was very keen to find a better provider that could address my concerns, which were mostly around good customer service and support.
“Fleet Alliance fits the bill perfectly, and our account managers, Scott Russell and Joe Mulford, have been great in the level of support and information they provide us with.”
Following company-wide communications in January and a dedicated EV launch meeting, interest in the scheme has been high. Charging units have also been installed at the company’s car park to encourage uptake.
Employees have access to a wide range of electric vehicles at cost-effective rates, with ten EVs already supplied, including models from Polestar, Volkswagen, and Kia.
“Electric cars are very cost advantageous because of the low taxation associated with them, as well as having environmental benefits, and our employees have appreciated that,” added Sheehan.
Fleet Alliance CEO Andy Bruce said: “Warp Snacks is to be applauded for its decision to introduce electric cars through a salary sacrifice scheme as EVs combine advantageous tax breaks with a sustainable solution for businesses.
“As well as including all service, maintenance, and breakdown costs, our scheme is a great way to offer a company car at no extra cost to the business; it encourages staff to make the timely transition to electric cars, thereby reducing the corporate carbon footprint while helping the business meet its ESG agenda.”
Bruce also highlighted the availability of Early Termination Insurance (ETI) to protect employees from financial penalties should they leave the company before completing the three-year rental period.
Fleet Alliance estimates that leasing an EV through a salary sacrifice scheme can reduce running costs by up to 60% compared with personal contract hire (PCH), without affecting personal credit lines.
“Electric car salary sacrifice offers huge tax benefits. And, as we competitively tender each salary sacrifice lease across a panel of competitive funders, we can leverage the access to an electric car for our customers and their employees,” Bruce added.
