Electric Company Car; what you need to know…

There is currently a zero P11d benefit for the drivers of electric cars in 2020/21. The legislation for this change is included in Finance Act 2020 which also states that the benefit will be 1% of list price in 2021/22 and then 2% in 2022/23.

The zero taxable benefit also applies to hybrid cars emitting no more than 50 grams of CO2 per kilometre with a range using its electric motor of at least 130 miles, but only for cars first registered on or after 6 April 2020. Unfortunately, the range of most plug in hybrids is considerably less than 130 miles. For example, the Mercedes A 250e costing £32,980 emits 26g CO2 but has a PEV range of only 45 miles.

An additional benefit for the business is that motor cars that emit no more than 50g CO2 per kilometre currently also qualify for a 100% first year allowance which means that the full cost can potentially be set off against business profits.

The Mercedes A 250e would currently qualify for a 100% first year allowance but the P11d benefit would be 6% for the employee in 2020/21.

Note however that the 50g CO2 threshold reduces to zero from April 2021 which means that hybrids will cease being eligible for the 100% write off. If the business can afford to do so it’s a good time to buy a plug in hybrid.

Advisory Fuel Rate For Company Cars 

These are the suggested reimbursement rates for employees’ private mileage using their company car from 1 September 2020. Where there has been a change the previous rate is shown in brackets.

Engine Size Petrol Diesel LPG
1400cc or less 10p 7p (6p)
1600cc or less 8p
1401cc to 2000cc 12p 8p

(9p)
1601 to 2000cc 10p (9p)
Over 2000cc 17p 12p 12p

(11p)

You can continue to use the previous rates for up to 1 month from the date the new rates apply.  For wholly electric cars there is a 4p advisory rate. However, for hybrid cars use the equivalent petrol or diesel rate.

Thus, where an employee is considering reimbursing their employer for private use to avoid a taxable benefit, it may be beneficial to compute the actual cost of private fuel rather than use the scale rate.