Ford EV salary sacrifice from The Electric Car Scheme
Ford released their first car in 1908 in Michigan. It was high-quality, easy to handle, and affordable, making cars accessible to the masses rather than just an "indulgence for the wealthy." Like many manufacturers, Ford is looking to the future by developing their electric fleet and investing $2 billion to modernize their facilities in Cologne, Germany.
Several Ford hybrid vehicles are currently on the market, including the Puma, Kuga, and Ford Focus. Ford also offers three electric vehicles: the All-new Tourneo Custom, the Mustang Mach-E, and the all-electric Explorer. But Ford is not stopping there. They plan to launch seven brand-new EVs by 2024, including two new SUVs, an all-electric Puma, and four electrified transit vans.
We will be looking at the two Ford electric cars available for salary sacrifice through The Electric Car Scheme. Electric car salary sacrifice works similarly to the cycle-to-work scheme, where your employer must offer it as an employee benefit for you to access it. Employees can then lease an electric car and save 30-60% by paying from their pre-tax salary, which reduces their national insurance contributions and income tax. It’s a great way to drive an electric car for less while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
We will be looking at the cars' performance, space, and infotainment systems to help you decide if an electric Ford is the best car for you to salary sacrifice.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E was first introduced in November 2019 and went on sale in December 2020 as a 2021 model. It is part of the Mustang series, and its name was inspired by the Mach 1 variant of the first-generation Mustang. It was the first fully electric car released by Ford. It is a practical electric SUV with up to 380 miles of range and can achieve 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.
Specifications and trim levels
The Ford Mustang Mach-E comes in two different battery sizes: 70 kWh and 91 kWh. For the longest range, you would choose the 91 kWh battery, which can achieve 379 miles on a single charge. There is a four-wheel-drive option with twin motors available, which can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. If you’re looking for something a bit quicker, there is a 487 hp GT version that can achieve this in 3.7 seconds, which is exceptionally fast. Using a fast DC charger, you can charge to 80% in 45 minutes, which is great if you’re on the go.
If you opt for the smaller 72 kWh battery, you will have a range of 292 miles and be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, depending on the specifications of each model. The table below shows all the different specifications available through The Electric Car Scheme and how much it would cost someone earning £70,000 to lease a Mach-E for three years with a mileage of 10,000 per annum on a flat payment profile.
| Specification | Power Output | Battery Size | 0-62mph | Range | Lease cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium RWD | 216kW | 91kWh | 5.6 seconds | 372 miles | £518 |
| Premium Tech+ | 216kW | 91kWh | 5.6 seconds | 372 miles | £532 |
| Premium AWD | 272kW | 91kWh | 4.6 seconds | 341 miles | £558 |
| Premium AWD | 258kW | 91kWh | 5.8 seconds | 341 miles | £629 |
| Select RWD | 197kW | 72kWh | 5.9 seconds | 292 miles | £546 |
| Select RWD Tech+ | 197kW | 72kWh | 5.9 seconds | 292 miles | £574 |
| Select RWD | 198kW | 72kWh | 7.4 seconds | 292 miles | £600 |
| Select RWD Tech+ | 198kW | 72kWh | 7.4 seconds | 292 miles | £641 |
| GT AWD | 358kW | 91kWh | 4.4 seconds | 310 miles | £856 |
| GT AWD Rally Pack | 358kW | 91kWh | 3.7 seconds | 316 miles | £885 |
| GT AWD Pan Roof | 358kW | 91kWh | 3.6 seconds | 320 miles | £974 |
What’s the difference between Select, Premium and GT trim levels?
On the Mach-E you get the following as standard:
LED headlights and tail lights
BlueCruise capabilities
15.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
360-degree camera
“Mustang” puddle lights
Wireless charging
19-inch alloy wheels
Premium trim level
If you choose the Premium trim level, you will get the following on top of standard equipment:
Machined alloy wheels
Adaptive headlights
Electric memory seats
Panoramic glass roof (on AWD models)
B&O sound system (on AWD models)
You will also get contrasting red brake callipers on and inside, the fabric has been improved with the Sensico interior now getting red stitching.
GT trim level
If you choose the GT trim level, you will get the following on top of standard equipment:
20-inch GT alloy wheels
MagneRide Adaptive Suspension
Brembo brakes
Performance body kit
Embossed sports seats
487PS and 860Nm of torque
Ford Mustang Mach-E driving performance
Sitting up high in a car with a Mustang badge provides a unique perspective, offering a decent view of the surroundings when driving around town. The parking camera on the large screen helps manoeuvre in tight spots. The Mustang Mach-E is firm, resulting in a lively and engaging ride. The regenerative braking system provides a smooth initial response, and the one-pedal driving mode allows for a seamless driving experience by bringing the car to a complete stop using regenerative braking alone.
On motorways, the Mustang Mach-E accelerates quickly from 40 mph to 70 mph, making it adept at overtaking. Once cruising, the ride remains steady, although you may notice some wind noise. The Mach-E offers a practical range for long journeys, ensuring you can travel significant distances between charges.
On country lanes, the Mustang Mach-E's three driving modes: Active, Whisper, and Untamed, which cater to different driving styles. Active mode is versatile, Whisper mode is ideal for maximizing battery range, and Untamed mode emphasizes the car's sporty nature. The Mach-E delivers an enthusiastic performance on winding roads, making it enjoyable to drive.
Overall, the Mustang Mach-E offers a distinctive driving experience with its sporty characteristics and practical features, making it a strong contender in the electric vehicle market.
Space inside the Mach-E
The Mustang Mach-E offers a practical cabin with most storage concentrated in the centre console. There’s a lidded storage area under the armrest with both a USB and 12-volt socket. In front of the rotary gear selector, there are good-sized cupholders and a flat tray for the wireless mobile phone charger, large enough for big-screen phones. Beneath that, another flat storage tray is available. The glovebox is average in size, and while the door bins are reasonably large, their shape can be awkward due to the stereo speaker above them.
The back seats are spacious, with ample legroom and surprising headroom despite the sporty roofline. The flat floor and wide back seat accommodate three adults comfortably. With the Tech Pack, you also get a heat-absorbing panoramic glass roof that enhances headroom. Rear passengers benefit from pockets on the front seat backs and a pair of USB sockets, including a USB-C type. The rear seats are notably comfortable, reflecting a thoughtful design.
The boot offers 402 litres of space, which is adequate but not exceptional compared to rivals like the Volkswagen ID4. The adjustable boot floor can eliminate the load lip at the cost of some volume. Folding the back seats provides an almost flat floor and 1,420 litres of space, though the seats must be manually folded. The boot includes tie-down points, shopping bag hooks, a 12-volt socket, and a stretchable load cover that stashes under the floor when not in use. The Mach-E also features a front trunk (frunk) with 81 litres of space, equipped with divider panels for organising charging cables and small items.
Infotainment and driver display
The small, shallow driver’s display screen in the Mustang Mach-E is excellent, providing essential information like range and speed without being overly bright or distracting, which is particularly useful when driving at night. It's well-positioned, ensuring it remains visible regardless of steering wheel adjustments.
Overall, the cabin design is stylish, with a dash that subtly nods to classic 1960s Mustang dashboards. Opting for the tech pack adds a Bang & Olufsen stereo set, featuring a soundbar that spans the full width of the dash, giving it a fabric-covered finish.
The 15.5-inch screen in the centre of the dash is a standout feature. This high-definition screen offers wireless connections for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, likely reducing the need to use the built-in Ford software, though it is quite responsive. You can set up all your preferences for screen layouts and heating from your phone, even before collecting your new Mustang Mach-E, ensuring everything is ready for you to drive off immediately.
The heating and air-conditioning controls are on the screen, but they are easy to use and remain accessible even when navigating other menus. There is one physical heating control for the de-mist function, which is convenient, although it is positioned near your knee. This placement might make you prefer using the screen instead.
Lease the Ford Mustang Mach-E and save 30%-60% through salary sacrifice
Getting into an electric car is made affordable and easy through The Electric Car Scheme because you save on income tax and national insurance contributions. The graphic below shows the breakdown for a 40% tax payer, who wants to lease the car for three years and wants to travel 10,000 miles per annum on a flat payment profile.
Without salary sacrifice, the monthly lease cost would be £783. However, if you decide to salary sacrifice the Mach-E you will save £313 on income tax and £16 on national insurance savings. You will have to pay a small amount of BiK (benefit in kind) tax, otherwise known as company car tax. This means you will only be paying £518 for a brand new Ford Mach-E each month.
At The Electric Car Scheme, we have also recently expanded our offer to used electric cars, offering the most affordable way to drive electric, and we can have one delivered to your home in just 14 days. If you’re interested in getting a new or used car you can visit our quote tool. However, it is important to note that we have a limited supply of used EVs and therefore the selection of cars we have are likely to change.
Electric Ford Explorer
In 2024 came the launch of the all-electric Ford Explorer - taking its name from one of the best-selling SUVs in the US. Earlier this year, we compiled all of the most important information about the Explorer, from specifications, how big it is, design details and more. If you’re looking for an in-depth outline of the Explorer you can find it here.
Specification and trim levels
Ford offers a straightforward trim lineup for the electric Mustang, starting with two models: Select priced at £45,875 and Premium at £49,975. The lineup includes three powertrains similar to the Volkswagen ID.4. The entry-level Standard Range features a 55kWh battery priced at £39,875. For more power, there's a dual-motor option with a 79kWh battery, providing a 329-mile range starting at £53,975, the highest-priced option. Also available is the Extended Range RWD with an 82kWh battery and a 374-mile range, starting at £45,875.
The Electric Explorer will initially offer the £39,875 Standard Range model with a 168bhp rear-wheel-drive setup and a 55kWh battery, offering a range of up to 218 miles. Due to battery delays, Ford adjusted the launch with a 282bhp single-motor 77kWh Extended Range model, achieving a maximum range of 374 miles. An all-wheel-drive, dual-motor system with a 79kWh battery offers an expected 328-mile range, akin to the Ford ID.4 GTX, capable of delivering 335bhp.
The table below shows the specifications offered by The Electric Car Scheme, detailing the leasing costs for the Explorer over three years with an annual mileage of 10,000, based on a flat payment structure for individuals earning £70,000.
| undefined | Power Output | Battery Size | 0-62mph | Range | Lease cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select | 210kW | 77kWh | 6.4 seconds | 374 miles | £485 |
| Select Driver Assist Pack | 210kW | 77kWh | 6.4 seconds | 374 miles | £509 |
| Premium | 201kW | 77kWh | 6.4 seconds | 354 miles | £534 |
| Premium Driver Assist Pack | 210kW | 77kWh | 6.4 seconds | 354 miles | £549 |
| Premium AWD | 250kW | 79kWh | 5.3 seconds | 329 miles | £582 |
| Premium AWD Driver Assist | 250kW | 79kWh | 5.3 seconds | 329 miles | £597 |
What’s the difference between Select and Premium trim?
The standard Select models get a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, heated front seats with a massage function, a seven-speaker sound system, 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. Safety features include cross-traffic alert, active braking, and front and rear parking sensors with a rearview camera.
The Premium trim has 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, a 10-speaker sound system, an electric boot lid, and matrix LED headlights. The upcoming entry-level model with the smaller battery will skimp on some of these features to warrant its price tag, which is below £40,000.
Space inside the Ford Explorer
Sitting in the front of the Explorer, you will be comfortable, especially as the front seats feature electrical adjustment with a wide range of motion to accommodate all drivers. The steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach, offering significant flexibility. The Explorer's instrument panel remains fixed, unlike the Volkswagen ID4’s which moves with the steering column. This fixed position can be obscured in certain driving positions.
Storage options are plentiful, including Ford’s ‘Mega Console’, which is a large storage area under the central armrest with adjustable dividers, spacious enough for a laptop. You can choose between cupholders at the front or a plain storage tray. The infotainment screen slides forward at the touch of a switch to reveal a secure space for various items, locked with the car’s central locking system. Twin wireless charging pads are positioned almost vertically, keeping your phone out of sight.
In the back, there’s ample space, comparable to electric SUVs like the Volkswagen ID4 or Kia EV6. A six-foot passenger can comfortably sit behind a similarly-sized driver, and headroom is generous. Some models feature a panoramic glass roof, which does not reduce headroom as the glass extends further back than the rear passengers’ heads. Each rear door has a large door bin and there is a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and two USB-C charging ports. The flat floor and comfortable middle seat accommodate three passengers comfortably.
The boot offers 450 litres of space, more than the pricier Ford Mustang Mach-E but less than the Volkswagen ID4 or Kia EV6, which have 543 and 480 litres respectively. The top trim level includes an electric tailgate, revealing a practical, square space with additional storage under the floor for charging cables. The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split for larger items, and a ski hatch allows for long, thin items. There are bag hooks, deep wells behind the rear wheels, and a 12V socket. The rear seats drop easily, creating a flat floor.
For those who tow, the Explorer offers a towbar, with four-wheel drive models capable of towing up to 1.4 tonnes - a notable feature for an electric car. However, it lacks a front boot or 'frunk' like the Tesla Model Y.
Infotainment and interior
Like many modern SUVs, the Ford Explorer has minimal physical buttons inside. Most controls are managed through the large 15.0-inch touchscreen in the centre, and the remaining buttons are touch-sensitive, which can be tricky to use while driving.
The column stalks in the Explorer are not entirely intuitive; the right-hand stalk serves as the drive selector, while lights, wipers, and indicators are all grouped on the left-hand stalk. The window switches are limited to two, with a touch-sensitive button to toggle control between the front and rear windows.
Despite this, the dashboard features a stylish soundbar, and the material quality is impressive, with artificial leather seats that are nicer than those in a Tesla or Volkswagen. The infotainment system, although not the simplest, has large virtual buttons that are easy to press. We appreciate the permanent shortcut buttons at the top and bottom of the screen, and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto options cover smartphone connectivity needs effectively.
Salary sacrifice the Electric Ford Explorer from The Electric Car Scheme
You can lease a Ford Explorer from The Electric Car Scheme from £485 per month, saving £315 on income tax and national insurance savings. At The Electric Car Scheme, you can rest assured knowing that you will receive the best prices on electric cars available in the market, unrivalled protection against unexpected costs, and a trusted 5* service that goes above and beyond your expectations.
Wondering if The Electric Car Scheme is right for your company? Hear from our Co-Founder, Tom, who explains how this employee benefit could help boost your ESG or CSR goals.
Last updated: 25/06/2024
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
