Toyota’s electric cars: the perfect salary sacrifice option
Toyota began developing hybrid electric vehicles in the mid-1990s, leading to the launch of the Toyota Prius hybrid in 1997. If you ask someone to name a random hybrid car, there is a high likelihood they will mention the Prius. According to Car and Driver, Toyota has sold roughy 6 million Prius models and another 14 million hybrids of other models.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid being showcased at the Paris Motorshow in 2018
The first fully electric vehicle from Toyota was based on its popular RAV4 crossover. Unlike similar EVs at the time, which were aerodynamic sedans, big trucks, or vans, Toyota released a small SUV, a category that was becoming very popular with consumers. The RAV4 EV hit the market in 1996 and was first available to the public in Japan before becoming available in the US. Toyota had tested the RAV4 EV to 300,000 miles, making it a car well-suited to American families, which helped establish the brand's reputation for reliability. It featured a nickel-based battery, provided by Panasonic, and offered just over 100 miles of range. A second-generation RAV4 EV was introduced in 2012, with Toyota partnering with Tesla for the project, while Panasonic continued to build the battery.
Toyota is extremely successful globally. In 2023, it was the only brand to hold over 10% of the global market and was ranked the most valuable brand in the automotive sector as of June 2024. However, after years of being the best-selling car model worldwide, the Toyota Corolla dropped to second place behind Tesla’s Model Y. This version maintains the original meaning while improving readability and coherence.
To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 globally. The top five emitters—China, the USA, India, the European Union, and the Russian Federation—accounted for 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. The UK government has implemented tax incentives to encourage electric vehicle adoption, but these incentives can be difficult to access. This is where The Electric Car Scheme comes in. Companies can offer it as an employee benefit, helping employees save 30-60% on electric cars by paying from their salary before tax.
In this blog, we will explore the Toyota models available for salary sacrifice through The Electric Car Scheme, including their performance, interior design, and prices for new and used cars. Here’s what to expect:
Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X, first released in 2022, received a 2024 update and is an “eye-catching” all-electric SUV. It features a 71.4kWh battery pack in front-wheel drive models and a 72.8kWh battery in all-wheel drive models. The estimated range is 252 miles for front-wheel drive variants and 228 miles for all-wheel drive variants. Designed for smooth, eco-friendly driving, it’s perfect for families looking to switch to electric.
Inside, the bZ4X features soundproof glass and wind-noise design elements to minimize noise. It boasts a panoramic glass roof and a 12.3-inch display for connectivity, along with a sightline-mounted multi-instrument design for in-depth control. Options include a SofTex-upholstered powered driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leg heater, and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.
bZ4X: trim levels and safety features
The Toyota bZ4X comes in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. The XLE trim is known for its “competitive technology and comfort value,” while the Limited trim “represents a balanced world of traditional luxury and cutting-edge appointments.” Every 2024 bZ4X comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes features like Lane Departure with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. The 2024 bZ4X is available in several colours, including black, heavy metal, elemental silver metallic, wind chill pearl, and supersonic red.
Configure your bZ4X by visiting our quote tool. Input your salary to see how much you can save by salary sacrificing a bZ4X through The Electric Car Scheme. The bZ4X has an RRP of £42,860 to £54,410, but through salary sacrifice, you could save thousands on the lease price through National Insurance and income tax savings.
What’s the bZ4X like to drive?
Around town, the bZ4X excels in refinement, noticeable particularly in its excellent ride comfort—even with the optional 20-inch alloy wheels on our test car. It stands out as one of the most comfortable electric SUVs available. The windscreen scuttle, where the dashboard meets the glass, is positioned relatively low, offering excellent visibility ahead. Toyota has slimmed down the windscreen pillars to further enhance this visibility, though they still slightly obstruct the view. Over-the-shoulder visibility is hindered by chunky pillars, but standard reversing cameras and parking sensors (with an optional 'bird’s eye view' 360-degree camera system) make low-speed manoeuvres effortless. While the camera quality could be better, it provides good visibility.
The bZ4X features a 'one-pedal' regenerative braking system with two modes (on and off). While subtle in its initial slowing effect, it smoothly transitions to traditional brakes for complete stops. The braking action is gentle, avoiding the abruptness typical of many EVs, although true one-pedal driving would be preferable.
On the motorway, the bZ4X maintains its emphasis on refinement. It effectively suppresses wind and tyre noise, even on rough concrete surfaces. With its commendable range on a single charge, long journeys promise a relaxed driving experience. The bZ4X is stable and assured on the motorway, unaffected by crosswinds or passing heavy vehicles—a testament to its substantial 2.5-ton weight.
On country lanes, the bZ4X surprises with its comfort-oriented setup. While lacking in direct road feedback through the steering, it responds swiftly and accurately. Despite its weight, the bZ4X maintains a smooth and composed performance on winding routes. Although not as exhilarating as some sportier models like the Mustang Mach-E, the bZ4X delivers a noteworthy performance for an electric SUV. Its design encourages enjoyable driving experiences, even if most owners primarily use it for daily commutes or leisurely drives. The bZ4X demonstrates impressive capability off-road, a testament to its collaboration with Subaru, renowned for off-road expertise. It navigates dry, dusty trails and handles steep inclines and descents with ease. It is surprisingly adept in muddy terrain and can ford water up to 500mm deep—a feature standard on the model.
Space inside the bZ4X
The front seats in the bZ4X are comfortable, though it may be surprising that the steering wheel sits low while the digital information screen is positioned higher, at eye level. This setup may feel unusual initially, but it becomes comfortable once you get used to it. There are generously sized door bins, an armrest, and cup holders. Additionally, you'll find a couple of USB sockets and a storage area beneath the centre console.
In the back, there's ample headroom and legroom to comfortably accommodate three adults, making it a pleasant space for passengers. When the central seat isn’t in use, there’s space for phones and cup holders, along with door bins that hold a decent amount. Child seats fit well in the back, facilitated by wide-opening doors.
The boot has a capacity of 452 litres, which is adequate for most needs but smaller compared to competitors such as the Nissan Ariya (466 litres), Audi Q4 e-tron (520 litres), and Skoda Enyaq (585 litres). When folding the seats down, there's a gap between the main boot and the seats, which can be slightly inconvenient when sliding heavy items across.
Infotainment systems
The bZ4X’s interior is loaded with technology and notable features, such as the driver’s display positioned above the steering wheel. The infotainment system is particularly impressive, boasting a 12.3-inch screen with clear, crisp graphics.
During navigation, you can select the points of interest display, which highlights nearby locations like charging points and restaurants. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, alongside voice control that can manage tasks such as adjusting cabin temperature and opening/closing windows.
Below the screen, several physical buttons control heating, ventilation, brake energy recuperation, and activation of features like the X-Mode off-road system, parking camera view adjustments, and electric handbrake activation.
Lease a bZ4X from The Electric Car Scheme
Curious about how the salary sacrifice breakdown works? The graphic below illustrates that without salary sacrifice, you might pay £661 per month if you earn £70,000 annually and plan to travel 10,000 miles over a three-year contract. Through The Electric Car Scheme, you can save £265 per month on income tax and £13 per month on national insurance. Although you'll need to contribute towards the average benefit-in-kind tax (company car tax), this will only amount to £46 per month.
Toyota Proace City Verso
The Toyota Proace City Verso offers seating for between nine and five passengers. Both short and long-wheelbase models feature two comfortable rows of seats that slide forward and backwards, allowing you to adjust legroom and luggage space. All passenger seats can be folded flat to maximize luggage room.
Packed with smart technology, the Proace City Verso can achieve a range of up to 172 miles on a single charge. It is based on one of Toyota’s electric vans and offers a choice of two specification levels and medium and long body sizes. Surprisingly, there is no price difference between the two sizes, so the choice is entirely up to your preference.
Trim levels and specifications available
The entry-level Toyota Proace City Verso is called the Shuttle and features 16-inch wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, sliding rear doors, heated door mirrors, air conditioning, and four airbags.
For an upgrade, the Family specification offers a 10.0-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. It also includes a pre-collision safety system, climate control, and alloy wheels instead of steel ones. The RRP range for the Proace City is between £34,113 and £37,701.
| Specification | Battery Size | 0-62mph | Range | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Long | 50kWh | 11.2 seconds | 160 miles | £340 |
| Shuttle Short | 50kWh | 11.2 seconds | 160 miles | £346 |
| Family Long | 50kWh | 11.2 seconds | 160 miles | £372 |
| Family Short | 50kWh | 11.2 seconds | 160 miles | £378 |
Is the Proace City Verso a good car?
If you're looking for a spacious vehicle capable of accommodating between 5 and 9 people, depending on the chosen specification, the Proace Verso is an ideal choice for transporting your children or using as a work vehicle. It's designed with a specific purpose in mind and offers cost-effective driving compared to petrol or diesel counterparts. As and when you do need to recharge, the Verso EV is compatible with 100kW DC rapid chargers which is estimated to be replenished from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.
There's ample passenger seating available, though opting for the nine-seater configuration may slightly reduce boot space. Removing all seats in the boot provides a capacious 4,900 litres of room. Driving the Proace Verso is straightforward thanks to its accurate steering and impressive maneuverability. However, at speeds up to 70mph on the motorway, you may notice some wind noise due to its boxy aerodynamics. Additionally, driving over rough roads can feel a bit bumpy, typical for vehicles with similar seating capacities.
Inside the cabin, the materials are durable, and there's a range of available technology, from the head-up display and massage seats to a seven-inch infotainment screen, although these are optional extras. Standard features include useful parking sensors, air-conditioning, and cruise control across all models. For additional features like a 180-degree camera, automatic city braking, or adaptive cruise control, these are available as optional extras.
Salary sacrifice a Proace City Verso and save hundreds
You can lease the Toyota Proace City Verso from The Electric Car Scheme from £340 per month, depending on your salary. EV salary sacrifice allows you to save money by paying from your pre-tax salary, meaning you’ll be able to save hundreds every month on national insurance contributions and on your income tax. This is a great way to save money and save the environment, instead of delaying the inevitable switch to electric.
Will Toyota be releasing more electric cars?
Somewhat controversially, Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota for thirteen years and now chairman, believes that BEVs (battery electric vehicles) are not the final answer. He claims that the electric car segment will only ever account for a maximum of 30% of the market. During his tenure as CEO, he refused to prioritise electric vehicle development, arguing that these cars were too complicated and unpopular with consumers. Under his leadership, the company made significant investments in hybrid and hydrogen drivetrains.
However, Toyota has unveiled its new Urban SUV and Sport Crossover concepts, which will feature among the six dedicated electric vehicles it plans to introduce by 2026.
The Urban SUV Concept
The Urban SUV Concept is a close-to-production design for a model that is due to be revealed in 2024. The vehicle features a genuine SUV design and builds on the achievements of the hybrid electric Toyota Yaris Cross, which is a leading model in its category. Alongside offering all-wheel drive, a hallmark of Toyota vehicles, customers will have the flexibility to choose from two different battery options based on their budget or desired driving range.
The Sport Crossover Concept
The Sport Crossover Concept presents a departure from traditional SUVs with its unique fastback profile. Toyota suggests it will offer an appealing option for new electric car buyers and a stylish alternative to SUVs. It promises optimal comfort alongside the practicality of five doors, a spacious boot, and ample rear legroom. Developed in partnership with BYD, it is scheduled for launch in Europe by 2025.
Why choose The Electric Car Scheme?
There are many benefits to implementing The Electric Car Scheme and using it at your company, but we’ve decided to highlight a couple of important reasons why you would choose to lease a car from The Electric Car Scheme over other salary sacrifice providers:
Complete Risk Protection
The Electric Car Scheme provides market-leading protection from day 1, to safeguard employers from unexpected costs if your employee’s electric car needs to be returned early. Learn more here.
Best prices available
Through The Electric Car Scheme, you will access the top leasing companies to ensure your employees get the best prices available. The best prices are required to get good employee take-up.
Trusted 5-star service
Serving thousands of customers and rated “Excellent – 5 stars” on Trustpilot, you can rest assured that you are in good hands with The Electric Car Scheme.
No cost
With no setup or running costs, The Electric Car Scheme’s fee is equivalent to your employer's tax savings, so you can roll out the scheme at no cost to your business.
All-inclusive offering
Maintenance, Servicing, MOT, breakdown cover and tyre replacements as standard. If you are interested in installing a home charger, this can also be included with the car - making the switch to electric even easier.
Wide range of electric cars
The Electric Car Scheme offers many types of electric cars, whether they're new, used, or available through a subscription. This makes it easier for everyone to transition to electric vehicles.
If you’re interested in learning more about The Electric Car Scheme, whether you're an employer that wants to add this to your benefits package or you're an employee that would like the scheme to be available to you! Simply book a call with a salary sacrifice specialist here.
Last updated: 25.06.2024
