Your Definitive Guide to the Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car Lease

The Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car - Your Definitive Guide

The good news from November 2024 is that EVs are very much on ascendancy, contrary to the feeling that we are at a point of failure.

In a market which shrank by 1.9%, the EVs still managed to account for a considerable volume. As reported in the SMMT the BEV segment accounted for 38,581 registrations, which is just over a 25.1% market share - some 58% higher than November 2023.

As we close out 2024, the all-electric options in the market are now amassing some 338,000 registrations and, with one month to go, we could see the 350,000 market being exceeded. While heavy discounting and extensive reliance on the business contract hire and salary sacrifice market is being noted as the rationale for the success of these options, we are still at a 18.7% market share. This is of course behind the 22% which the ZEV Mandate dictates.

A key vehicle for ensuring driver uptake in EVs for 2025 is the new Ford Puma “Gen-E” schuh which was launched this week (December 2024).

Ford are a manufacturer who have enjoyed the battery lifestyle. With a Mach-E, Explorer and Capri, the group seem to have been somewhat staccato with their move away from petrol and diesel. While the Mach-E was a positive SUV, the price pushed this outside of the customer base which Ford have been essentially targeting in the UK.

While the Explorer, and more recent Capri, have put the Ford group back on conversation we were all thinking the same question - “why are Ford not producing a Fiesta or Puma alternative?” It now appears that common sense has prevailed with the energetic and electrifying Puma now becoming available in lithium-ion format. With sleek design, big city energy and thrilling driving, this could be a big contender in the 2025 leasing market. But what specifications are available?

The Puma EV will be launching in two formats including:

Select - from £29,995 the standard model will include 17” alloys, LED projector lights with day time running function, wireless charging pad, power start button, quick clear front windscreen, rear view camera, rear parking sensors, cruise control, lane keeping aid and lane departure warning;

Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car Lease UK

Premium - from £31,995 the standard model will include 18” alloys, Matrix LED lights, power-foldable heated door mirrors with puddle lights, front scuff plates, 12” touchscreen display, B&O audio system, keyless entry and power lift tailgate.

Colours include the frozen white, electric yellow, agate black, solar silver, fantastic red and digital aqua blue. Additional options on the Puma EV include the dog guard, black roof, upgraded 19” alloys (R19), panorama roof, detachable towbar, winter pack (heated steering wheel and heated seats), advanced driver assistance pack (dual heated mirrors, collision mitigation, intelligent speed assistant, 360 degree camera, front parking aid and reverse brake assist). For more information on the Puma, just head to the Ford website.

But what about the performance - is the electric Puma a good car?

with a usable battery of 43.6 kWh which offers 124 kW (166hp), top speeds of 99 mph and 0-62 times of 8.0 seconds. Real-world ranges suggest a combined 145 miles in colder weather with warmer temperatures to allow for 200 miles (on a full charge) - 170 miles combined . The 11kW AC allows for 0-100% charging times of 4 hour and 45 minutes with the 100 kW DC enabling 10-80% in 23 minutes. The Ford SUV has no Bidirectional charging. It has a 158 mpg equivalent, 523L cargo volume and offers towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 750kg (braked). The heat pump is not available with the Puma.

Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car Lease Information

It will not just be businesses and commercial operations who will be looking to lease the new Puma BEV. Many of the UK’s charities and benevolent institutions are now changing the fleet policies for their drivers.

While this is a positive environmental change, with carbon emissions and sustainability high on the agenda, the arrangement is also beneficial for both the company and the driver. While many charities may be exempt from Corporation Tax, and the impact of a lease rental on this, the charity does have to consider the costs associated in running their vehicles.

The cost of the lease, the service / maintenance, tyres and breakdown recovery all need to be factored into the equation. EVs are proving to be a digestible proposition when it comes to Whole of Life costs, especially when you consider the cheaper servicing obligations, the efficiency of electricity v fuel and the accountability which arises.

Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car Lease Salary Sacrifice

For the driver in a charity, if this is being operated as a company car then there are Benefit in Kind considerations which need accounting for. The employee cannot use a vehicle without communicating this to HMRC via your payroll. The key aspect of the UK is that our taxation regime is based much on the vehicle’s emissions.

For more polluting vehicles, HMRC will be more punitive towards UK taxpayers. However, for EVs, as they emit zero emissions from the tailpipe, the BiK percentages are nominal. In 2024/25, this is 3%, with this increasing by 1% each year. We know that by 2028/29 this will be 7%; which is over 10% better that a PHEV and up to 20% better than a petrol or diesel which is emitting 170g/km of CO2 and above. Many fleet managers and directors will be asked by their employees to consider an electric car as their next choice.

Ford Puma Gen-E Electric Car Lease Interior