SG Fleet, a leading name in fleet management and vehicle leasing, has unveiled a new electric vehicle (EV) package that bundles home charging solutions into its salary sacrifice scheme, marking a significant step toward making EV adoption more accessible for UK drivers. The announcement, made on September 17, 2025, comes as part of a collaboration with Ohme, a prominent provider of dynamic smart chargers, and reflects a growing trend among businesses and governments to ease the transition to greener transportation.
Under the new scheme, the cost of an Ohme charger is included in the monthly rental fee for drivers participating in SG Fleet’s salary sacrifice program. This setup means that employees making the switch to an electric vehicle won’t face the upfront expense of installing a home charger. Instead, the cost is spread over the duration of their rental term, removing a key financial barrier that has discouraged many from switching to electric cars.
Peter Davenport, managing director at SG Fleet, highlighted the importance of this move, stating, “Our role is to keep businesses and their people moving and that means helping them make the switch to electric as seamlessly as possible. By including Ohme chargers in our salary sacrifice package, we’re helping to overcome one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption.” According to Fleet World, this innovative approach is designed to support both businesses and their employees as the push for sustainable mobility accelerates across the UK.
The Ohme chargers themselves offer more than just convenience. They are dynamic smart chargers, capable of integrating with solar energy systems or taking advantage of smart electricity tariffs. This can lead to significant savings for drivers, especially those who can charge their vehicles during off-peak hours. For context, the average UK driver covers about 6,800 miles per year. Smart charging on an off-peak tariff, such as Intelligent Octopus Go at 7.5p/kWh, would cost just £119 annually for that distance. In contrast, using the standard variable tariff of 25.73p/kWh would push the cost up to £437.41. Petrol car drivers, meanwhile, would spend more than £1,000 to cover the same mileage, underscoring the cost-effectiveness of the electric alternative when paired with smart charging technologies.
Peter McDonald, director at Ohme, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, remarking, “This collaboration with SG Fleet further underlines Ohme’s commitment to the fleet sector, as more businesses and company drivers switch to EVs. Furthermore, SG Fleet’s bundled package for EV drivers shows the innovative thinking that it is willing to bring to the sector. We look forward to working with them and helping more business drivers with the e-mobility transition.”
The impact of these efforts is already being felt. Since 2021, the percentage of EVs within SG Fleet’s salary sacrifice fleet has surged by more than 400%. This dramatic rise reflects a broader shift in attitudes toward electric vehicles, as both businesses and individual drivers recognize the environmental and economic benefits of going electric. Davenport added, “As the move to electric vehicles continues at pace, ensuring our customers have access to all the support they need for a smooth transition is key. Offering innovative solutions such as our bundled offer with Ohme is a crucial part of that transition.”
At the same time, public sector initiatives are reinforcing these trends. Also on September 17, 2025, the Scottish government announced a new round of funding to support the decarbonisation of community transport. Through the Plugged-in Communities Fund, Scotland is making £4 million available to community transport operators for the purchase or lease of zero-emission vehicles—including wheelchair-accessible models—and the necessary charging infrastructure. The fund, launched in 2021, has already delivered over £4.2 million in grants to 49 community transport organisations, resulting in the procurement of 64 new zero-emission vehicles to replace aging diesel fleets.
The environmental impact of these grants has been substantial. According to PHVC Minibus Leasing & Fleet Suppliers, recipients of the Plugged-in Communities Fund have collectively saved around 8,000 tonnes of CO2 by switching to electric vehicles. This achievement not only contributes to Scotland’s ambitious climate targets but also demonstrates the tangible benefits of targeted investment in sustainable transport.
Jim Fairlie, Scotland’s Minister for Connectivity, underscored the importance of these efforts for social equity and environmental justice. He stated, “We’re making £4m available for zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure for operators which provide affordable transport for those who are unable to use conventional public transport, or where public transport is not available. Supporting these vital services to decarbonise ensures a just transition and that communities are not left behind as we journey towards net zero.”
The Plugged-in Communities Fund is more than just a financial incentive—it’s a lifeline for rural and underserved communities, ensuring that the shift to greener transport doesn’t leave anyone behind. By supporting the purchase of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and investing in charging infrastructure, the fund aims to make clean mobility accessible to all, regardless of geography or physical ability.
Both the private sector initiative from SG Fleet and the public funding from the Scottish government highlight a multi-pronged approach to accelerating EV adoption across the UK. While SG Fleet’s bundled package addresses the practical and financial hurdles faced by individual drivers and businesses, Scotland’s Plugged-in Communities Fund targets the unique challenges of community transport, with a particular focus on inclusivity and environmental impact.
These developments come at a time when the UK’s transition to electric vehicles is gathering momentum, driven by a combination of government policy, technological innovation, and shifting consumer preferences. The dramatic increase in EV uptake within SG Fleet’s salary sacrifice program is mirrored by growing demand for zero-emission vehicles in the public sector, as evidenced by the success of the Plugged-in Communities Fund.
Looking ahead, industry leaders and policymakers agree that continued collaboration will be essential. By combining innovative business solutions with government support, the UK can accelerate its journey toward a cleaner, more equitable transportation future. As Peter Davenport and Peter McDonald have both emphasized, providing comprehensive support—whether through bundled charging solutions or targeted grants—is key to overcoming the remaining barriers to EV adoption.
With the cost of ownership falling, technology improving, and support systems expanding, there’s a real sense of momentum behind the UK’s electric vehicle revolution. The road to net zero may still have its bumps, but with initiatives like SG Fleet’s partnership with Ohme and Scotland’s Plugged-in Communities Fund, the journey is becoming smoother—and more inclusive—by the day.
