Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice Review: Pros, Cons & Features

Loveelectic specialises in a salary sacrifice scheme that businesses can join at no cost while Loveelectric handles the administration.

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice

• Cost-neutral to businesses: fees are deducted from employees' NIC savings
  
  
• Early Termination Protection: 1 month fee payable if circumstances change
  
  
• Access to every EV on the market
  
  
• Maintenance, breakdown, glass, tyres and servicing included
  
  
• Fully comprehensive car insurance can be added with the flick of a switch at checkout

Check Eligibility

Employees benefit from partnering with the UK’s largest car leasing companies, enabling them to choose from a vast range of EVs at competitive prices. With Loveelectric, staff can also benefit through tax and NI savings and employers pay no additional cost as Loveelectrics fee (3% of the gross rental) is taken from the employee’s NIC savings.

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice Pros & Cons

We selected these pros and cons based on the criteria that Electric Car Guide customers identified as the most important to them in our survey of EV owners. We also researched real-world customer reviews on Trustpilot (both positive and negative) and compared Loveelectric’s features with its nearest competitors.

Am I eligible for Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice?

Eligibility for a Loveelectric scheme is based on the employer, rather than the individual employee. Here’s what you would need to know to determine if you are eligible:

Business eligibility for Loveelectric

Your business will need to have been running for a minimum of one year and should be generating profits.

The business must have a track record of consistent profitability or a strong balance sheet (over £500k net worth) and have over 20 employees.

Employer participation

The business must have set up an EV salary sacrifice scheme with Loveelectric. If they haven’t, you can’t just join the scheme as an employee until they have done so. There is no option for an individual outside of an employer-sponsored scheme.

Are you an Employee?

Eligibility for a LoveElectric scheme is mainly determined by your employer’s eligibility and participation in the program. If you’re interested in using Loveelectric, it might be worth discussing with your employer or HR department to signpost the benefits and negatives of salary sacrifice schemes and request the possibility of implementing the scheme at work.

Once your employer signs up there are still some eligibility criteria for employees: You should be a permanent employee and aged 18-65 years old. Your salary must be more than the minimum wage after the gross salary sacrifice is deducted.

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice features at a glance

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice full review

LoveElectric was founded in 2021 by the husband and wife team of Steve and Lyndsey Tigar. 

The company is a certified BCorp, which means it has been verified and certified to uphold high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

They approach pricing with a genuine ‘consumer first’ transparency, charging a minimal commission, ensuring no hidden fees and making their service cost-neutral for companies.

As a business, they are trying to do the right thing for their customers, staff and the environment.

Loveelectric contract and early termination protection

Loveelectrics’ minimum term of 12 months comes with a flexible cancellation policy that allows you to terminate the contract after just 3 months with a one-month fee.

If employment is terminated during the lease, LoveElectric supports you in taking steps to either transfer the lease to a colleague, transfer the lease to your new employer or find someone on Loveelectrics network who is willing to take over the lease.

If none of these options are available you will be able to exit your contract with just a 1 month fee.

Loveelectric pricing structure

Loveelectric’s pricing structure is designed to be transparent for both employers and employees. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing:

1. No setup cost
   Loveelectric is free for employers to set up a salary sacrifice scheme. There is no initial cost for the employer.
   
   
2. Administration fee
   Once an employee’s car is delivered, Loveelectric charges a small administration fee. This fee amounts to 3% of the employee’s gross rental and averages around £20 per month per car. Importantly, this fee is taken from the employer’s NIC (National Insurance Contributions) savings, meaning that the service is essentially cost-neutral to the company.
   
   
3. Commission-based revenue
   Loveelectric’s revenue model is based on commission, charging 2% of the P11D value of a car. This percentage is factored into the online prices, ensuring that there are no unexpected costs or hidden fees after signing up.

Loveelectric deposit

Loveelectrics’ salary sacrifice scheme has no deposit requirements.

Public charging network

There’s no free public charging network included with Loveelectirc, but the partnership with Hypervolt allows customers a significant discount on home charging solutions. This offer can be easily added during the EV order checkout process.

Loveelectric car options

LoveElectric claims access to every EV on the market via its extensive network of over 300 dealers, ensuring customers can find whatever EV suits their needs.

What’s included with Loveelectric?

The program includes maintenance, servicing, MOT and EV breakdown assistance.

Comprehensive car insurance can be added at checkout, with the pricing adjusted accordingly.

Loveelectric also offers the replacement of EV tyres and glass.

Car purchase option

There is no car purchase option available in the Loveelectric salary sacrifice lease program.

Loveelectric customer support

LoveElectric have provided a direct customer service email address: [email protected]
There is no phone support apparent on the website.

Loveelectric lead time & delivery cost

It takes as little as 7 days between applying to Loveelectric and ordering a car. The lead time for delivery of a vehicle depends on the distance from the vehicle to the customer. If the car is only 50-100 miles away, Loveelectric claims they can deliver it within 1-2 days.

The delivery cost for the vehicle is free.

Salary sacrifice

LoveElectric offers a specialised salary sacrifice option for electric vehicles, making them stand out as salary sacrifice providers.

The salary sacrifice scheme allows businesses to provide electric vehicles to their employees in a cost-neutral manner, as fees are deducted from employees’ NIC savings.

Being specialists in the salary sacrifice area, Loveelectric’s program caters to both businesses and employees, this fits with the company ethos of responsible business practices and environmental commitment.

What Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice does well

Specialised salary sacrifice provider
Loveelectric specialises in salary sacrifice schemes, providing a cost-neutral option for businesses. If this is what you are looking for then their expertise in this area makes them stand out as an experienced provider for businesses.

Flexible and comprehensive service
Loveelectrics’ offering is comprehensive, with maintenance, delivery, and insurance easily bundled. 

Price transparency and ethics
Being a certified BCorp, Loveelectric’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is clear. Their transparent pricing and commitment to ethical practices reflect their integrity.

Wide EV availability
With access to an extensive network of over 300 dealers, Loveelectric has a diverse range of electric vehicles, catering for all preferences.

Fair early termination protection
Loveelectric’s early salary sacrifice termination policy offers several flexible options, and if those options don’t work for the customer, the fee is limited to a one-month rental equivalent.

Where Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice falls short

Limited eligibility for Businesses
It’s not a widely available scheme as the requirements for businesses are that they need to be operational for at least 1 year and generate profits. 

No free public charging
Other providers offer free public charging options. While home charging solutions are available, this limitation could affect those who depend on public charging stations.

What electric cars does Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice offer?

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice claims to have access to every EV on the market through its network of over 300 dealers. Here are some examples of the various segments of electric cars Loveelectric caters for :

• Economy Models
  Nissan cars on salary sacrifice, such as the Leaf or Ariya, are popular Loveelectric options. The Hyundai Ioniq, and Fiat 500e, which are known for their affordability and efficiency, would sit in the economy bracket.
  
  
• Mid-Range Models
  Kia Soul EV, and Volkswagen ID.4 offer a good balance of performance, range, and price.
  
  
• Luxury Models
  Consider a high-end option like the Jaguar I-PACE on salary sacrifice, and Audi e-tron salary sacrifice, for those looking for a more premium electric driving experience.
  
  
• SUVs and Family Models
  For those needing more space, models like the Hyundai Kona Electric, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla Model X might be suitable.
  
  
• High-Performance Models
  The Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid are available for salary sacrifice, offering very high performance and cutting-edge technology.

How do I apply for Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice?

Businesses applying to Loveelectric

1. Use the eligibility checker
   Determine if your company is suitable for the Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice scheme by using their eligibility checker. This tool will provide a bespoke eligibility score and you can see if you are able to continue with an application.
   
   
2. Provide company details and follow the next steps
   Simply enter your company name and wait for about 30 seconds for the eligibility check to run. If your company is eligible, follow the instructions provided to complete the application.
   
   
3. Your employees get access to the loveelectric web app
   A link is shared for the app and employees can request an order, loveelectric then undertakes driver suitability checks.
   
   
4. The employer-authorised representative signs off the order
   The employee signs Driver Ts&Cs, Loveelectric confirms delivery details and the timeline directly with the employees.

Employees applying to Loveelectric

1. Speak to your employer
   Let them know about the benefits of Loveelectric and find out if you are able to refer them to the scheme.
   
   
2. Refer Your Employer
   If you are an employee and your company does not yet offer the Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice scheme, you can refer your employer by filling out Loveelectric’s form.

The final word on Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice

The Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice scheme is designed with both businesses and employees in mind. You can really see Loveelectric’s commitment to ethical practices as a certified BCorp, it’s clear through their transparent pricing structure and generous early returns policy that they are an ethical business.

They have a superb breadth of vehicle selection through leveraging an extensive network of dealers.

By aligning its core business with a commitment to protecting the environment and social responsibility, Loveelectric doesn’t just facilitate a car lease, it helps both businesses and employees to partake in a movement.

The scheme’s focus on profitable established businesses is a limitation, and the absence of a car purchase option might not appeal to all. But these factors don’t detract from Loveelectric’s mission: to help companies and individuals align their driving choices with their values.

Loveelectric Salary Sacrifice

• Cost-neutral to businesses: fees are deducted from employees' NIC savings
  
  
• Early Termination Protection: 1 month fee payable if circumstances change
  
  
• Access to every EV on the market
  
  
• Maintenance, breakdown, glass, tyres and servicing included
  
  
• Fully comprehensive car insurance can be added with the flick of a switch at checkout

Check Eligibility

Help if you’re struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases

Late payments on car subscriptions or leases can lead to financial difficulties. If you find yourself struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases, it is essential to seek professional guidance. Several debt advice services can help:

• StepChange: StepChange offers debt management plans tailored to your situation
• Citizens Advice: Offering free and confidential advice on managing debts.
• National Debtline: National Debtline is a helpline specifically designed to assist with personal debt, including car subscription or lease obligations.
• MoneyHelper (formerly The Money Advice Service): Providing tools and support to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Remember, the terms of car subscriptions and leases can vary significantly, so it’s really important to read and understand your specific agreements and obligations.

Loveelectric review methodology

At Electric Car Guide, our review of Loveelectric was conducted with impartiality and an in-depth understanding of what electric car users value. Here’s how we worked through our evaluation:

1. Customer Feedback from Electric Car Guide: We surveyed users on our own website, Electric Car Guide. These insights offered us a firsthand view of real-world experiences and car subscription expectations, allowing us to frame our review around actual user needs and preferences.
   
   
2. Trustpilot Reviews: We took into account both positive and negative reviews from Trustpilot. This provided a balanced perspective, acknowledging the praises and criticisms Loveelectric has received from a diverse range of customers.
   
   
3. Comparison with Competitors: We compared Loveelectric’s features, offerings, and customer experience against their nearest competitors in the electric car subscription market. This enabled us to gauge Loveelectric’s standing in the industry, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement.

John Ellmore

John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.

With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.

John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.