Salary Sacrifice the Brand-New Omoda E5
This week, Omoda visited The Electric Car Scheme office to showcase their latest electric model, the Omoda E5.
Omoda, a division of the Chery Group, has an impressive history. Founded in 1997, Chery's overseas sales quickly soared, surpassing 100,000 units by 2007. In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover acquired Chery, leading to continued growth and sales exceeding £8 million. The company introduced its Jaecoo and Omoda brands in 2022, and by 2023, had achieved remarkable figures: 1.88 million vehicles sold, 937,000 of which were exports, and an income of £33.2 billion. Jaecoo and Omoda are key components of Chery's strategy to expand its presence outside China.
The name “Omoda” reflects its vision: the letter “O” stands for “Oxygen,” symbolising freshness and innovation, while “Moda” translates to “Modern.” In some markets, Omoda is positioned as a luxury brand compared to the more mainstream Chery label. With a customer base of 13 million and sales in over 40 countries—including Australia, South Africa, and various European nations - Chery is a significant player in the global automotive market. Omoda currently operates 61 dealerships in the UK and plans to expand to 100 locations by 2025, with a target of 180 by 2027.
Currently, the UK government’s tax incentives for electric cars promote sustainable choices, but they are complex and difficult to access. The Electric Car Scheme makes it simple to access government tax incentives to make a difference to net zero. Salary sacrifice saves 30-60% on the cost of any electric car by paying from your salary before tax. Companies that offer this benefit can support their employees on their journey to Net Zero whilst directly reducing their company’s carbon emissions. It’s a win-win!
Let’s learn more about the Omoda E5, from specifications to boot capacity. You can also see how much it would cost to salary sacrifice!
Omoda E5: Specifications and trim details
The Omoda E5 is the first electric Omoda that will reach the UK, alongside the petrol Omoda 5. Sales start this summer with pricing expected to start from £33,500 for the base Comfort model, rising to £35,500 for the top-spec Noble model. It will be up against the likes of the Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen ID.3 and the Renault Megane E-Tech.
The Omoda E5 comes with a 61kWh battery and 80kW charging capacity. It has a WTLP range of 257 miles on a single charge and can achieve 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds.
Here’s what you will get in the Comfort and Noble trims, both inside and out!
Everything that is included in the Comfort comes with the Noble as standard, with a couple of extra additions, as you can see in the table below.
Interior:
| Comfort | Noble | |
|---|---|---|
| Twin 12.25" LED Display | Sony 8 Speaker Audio | |
| Driver Monitoring System | Front & Rear Multi-coloured Ambient Lighting | |
| Ultra-fast and Cooled Wireless Phone Charging | Heated Front Seats | |
| Front Multi-coloured Ambient Lighting | PM2.5 Air Purification | |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Silent & Privacy Glass | |
| Keyless Start | ||
| Wireless Apple and Android Play | ||
| V2L System (Boot) | ||
| Remote Engine Start & HVAC Function |
Here’s what you can expect from the exterior of the E5:
| Comfort | Noble | |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential Indicators | Heated Front Windscreen | |
| Sleek LED Headlights | Power Sunroof | |
| Remote Start | 360 Reverse Camera | |
| Shark-fin Antenna | Power Tailgate | |
| Reverse Camera | Logo Puddle Lamp Projection | |
| 18" Alloy Wheels (19" Optional) | ||
What’s the E5 like to drive?
The Omoda E5 is equipped with BYD's 'Blade' batteries, which use LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cell technology. This type of battery is also used by Tesla, MG, and BYD, making it a well-established and reliable option known for its safety, efficiency, and durability. The battery offers a usable capacity of 60.7 kWh out of a total of 61.7 kWh, delivering an official WLTP range of 257 miles. While this range is respectable, some competitors, like the MG4 and VW ID.3, provide larger battery options with extended range. Our experience with the E5 is still limited as we tested a prototype, so we'll share more detailed real-world efficiency figures after driving the production model.
In terms of charging capabilities, the E5 supports a maximum DC charging rate of 80 kW, which allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 45 minutes. Although many competitors can achieve a similar recharge in around 30 minutes, the Omoda E5 is equipped with CCS and Type 2 connectors, the standard across Europe, ensuring compatibility with nearly all public charging stations in the UK and Europe. When using a 7 kW home wall box, the battery can be fully charged in about 10 hours.
A standout feature of the Omoda E5 is the standard inclusion of vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, enabling you to power devices like a kettle or a camping fridge directly from the car's high-voltage battery. This convenient feature is also available on models such as the MG4, Kia Niro EV, and Hyundai Kona Electric. It's encouraging to see this capability becoming more widespread, with brands like Volkswagen and Peugeot planning to include V2L functionality in their vehicles soon as well.
What’s the Omoda E5 like inside?
The Omoda E5 is marketed as a budget-friendly alternative to models like the Kia Niro EV and VW ID.3, with Chery aiming to position it as a more premium brand in the future. This intention is evident in the use of generally high-quality materials and features, such as a vanity mirror with adjustable lighting and a ventilated double wireless phone charging pad. However, certain elements of the trim may appear less refined when compared to European standards. For example, the top-spec Noble prototype includes shiny chrome speaker covers and a bold wave pattern on some plastic trims.
The vehicle includes screen brightness controls conveniently located on the panel next to the steering wheel, allowing for easy adjustments. However, the back-lit, touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel can be difficult to see when the headlights are on during daylight, as they automatically dim.
The Omoda E5 is also equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen integrated with the digital driver’s display. The prototype version tested did not include the final software version intended for production models, indicating that a significant update is anticipated. The current infotainment system may require improvements, as settings are sometimes difficult to locate within multiple menus, and the graphics are not of the highest quality. Nonetheless, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, allowing users to bypass the native system for most functions.
What about space?
The rear passenger space in the Omoda E5 is adequate, comfortably accommodating a couple of average-sized adults. However, headroom is slightly more restricted compared to the VW ID.3 and Kia Niro EV, and foot space beneath the front seats is limited. It’s comparable to the MG4 EV, making it a suitable option for small families. Additionally, the rear seats feature a centre armrest, a convenience not always found in competitors like the MG4 EV.
The boot has a claimed capacity of 292 litres, which is smaller than that of most rivals. However, this measurement includes an unusual feature—a full-sized spare tyre. Including a spare tyre in an electric vehicle is rare due to the challenges of accommodating it alongside the floor-mounted battery, but Omoda has managed to incorporate it.
While this reduces the boot space, the available capacity should still be sufficient for everyday needs. There’s also the possibility that Omoda may offer the spare tyre as an optional feature, potentially increasing boot space. For those with larger cargo needs, such as transporting a bulky stroller or accommodating a large dog, other rivals might be more suitable. However, for lighter luggage requirements, the Omoda E5's boot space should suffice, and there is also a front trunk available for storing cables.
Salary sacrifice the Omoda E5 and save hundreds
As aforementioned, the cheapest way to get into an electric car is through a green car scheme. EV salary sacrifice works in the same way as a cycle-to-work scheme. You agree to have a portion of your pre-tax salary deducted each month to cover the cost of your car. Choose the electric car you want, add on any extras and drive away saving thousands.
At The Electric Car Scheme, we have simplified the electric car experience. It’s easy to add everything you need into one bundle. You can get full tax savings on maintenance, breakdown cover, comprehensive car insurance and a home charge point - to keep the process as hassle-free as possible!
In the image below you can see how the tax breakdowns work each month if you decide to lease an Omoda E5.
By using a green car scheme, you can save £207 in income tax savings and £10 national insurance. You will have to pay a small amount in benefit-in-kind tax every month, which is essentially a “company car” tax. This means the original price to lease a Omoda E5 drops from £519 to £338 per month. Visit our quote tool to see how much it would cost for you to lease an E5 based on your lease terms and salary.
At The Electric Car Scheme, we search across the EV market to find the best prices. To ensure high participation in an electric car salary sacrifice scheme, affordability is key. Partnering with the top leasing companies allows us to offer employees the best available prices. Implementing an EV scheme with us ensures your company benefits from both the best market prices and substantial tax savings of 30-60% through salary sacrifice.
Last updated: 09/08/2024
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.
