Your Definitive Guide to the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Electric Car Lease - a perfect addition to your Food Production fleet?

The Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Electric Car Lease - Your Definitive Guide - a perfect addition to your Food Production fleet?

The March 2025 statistics for electric vehicles are in and, with the ZEV Mandate presiding over the UK’s automotive industry, the volume of sales is being watched like a hawk.

Just after Labour confirmed that there would be VED / road tax changes to zero-emission vehicles, including the addition of a luxury car tax supplement, many believed that the volume of pure electric vehicles would decline. Confidence is king in the market after all. So when SMMT released their March 2025 statistics many of us were curious to see just how many registrations have been achieved with these external political influences. The key points from March are:

• 357,103 new car registrations (12% increase on last year);
• 69,313 BEV registrations (43.2% increase on last year but a market share of 19.4%); and
•  33,815 PHEV registrations (37.9% increase on last year and market share of 9.5%)

The volume of “electrified” vehicles is very much increasing, including both pure EV and PHEV. As the UK moves towards 2030 / 2035, much of the manufacturer focus must be on a vehicle which is partially or completely powered by batteries. For this year, in 2025, some 28% of a manufacturer’s product must be zero-emission.

But with the evidence above, which shows a continuing trend of sales failing just below this, along with the recent US tariff news, there are thoughts that the UK is about to amend its approach to the ZEV Mandate.

With the US looking to charge an import tariff of around 25% and drivers facing the additional road fund licence obligations, the Government is being pushed to reconsider its approach and offer more support to manufacturers to achieve these aims in a sustainable and harmonious way.     

The good news for limited companies in the UK, like food manufacturers and producers, is the decision not to impact the tremendous tax benefits being offered to those companies pursuing all-electric company car fleets.

For any tax accountants and financial directors operating in this segment, there needs to be a clear understanding of how to best operate the company’s vehicles including the finance product and the type of fuel, especially with the main rate of Corporation Tax now at 25% for 2025 / 2026. 

Our main offering at e-car is the contract hire product. The rationale is that many businesses like to change their car every 2 to 4 years and because this is a non-ownership product, this does not commit the business to the vehicle. With EVs, the residual values have been somewhat unclear, as the UK tries to make sense of the used and pre-owned BEV market. While the 100% first year allowances are attractive, the corresponding obligations and risks do mean that businesses have to consider what finance product to utilise more carefully.

With a lease on an EV, the company can offset 100% of the monthly rentals against Corporation Tax. With flexible no-deposit options, this means that cash-flow need not be impacted in the procurement of any new vehicles. If you add maintenance, which ensures the servicing, tyres and breakdown recovery are included, there is a further ability to minimise risk and enhance taxation offset.

For the VAT-registered business, there is an opportunity to offset 50% of the VAT on the finance and 100% of the VAT on the maintenance aspect, which does allow for a slightly cheaper position compared to a personal lease. If your food manufacturing business has the facility, consider adding charge points for your drivers to utilise.

Not only are these investments tax deductible under full expensing rules because electricity is not considered a fuel, these also serve as a great benefit to your driver / employee. Additionally, the driver really does enjoy the tax benefits on Benefit in Kind (BiK) with a vehicle emitting zero CO2 from the tailpipe. With a 3% BiK exposure for 2025/2026, this translates to a nominal company car tax bill each month.

For any driver in more polluting petrol and diesel options, especially bigger SUVs and luxury vehicles, there has been BiK of around 20% - 37% being applied. In simple terms, you have the ability to save hundreds of pounds per month in income tax as a driver of an EV. Nothing more needs saying!       

Turning your fleet into a more electrified setup is now far easier than those early adopters back in 2019 and 2020. Each brand has a swathe of choices, covering most options and derivatives, each with an improving amount of battery and technology.

There are an abundance of EVs now able to cover 200+ miles on a full charge (real world), along with a plethora of EVs able to charge at 150kW DC+. Many of the early obstacles for not going electric are now dissipating, which means that for those food and beverage manufacturers looking to enhance their employee offering, utilising a green fleet or salary sacrifice scheme on electric cars is now an advisable move

The all-electric VW ID.5 a very popular elctric car lease offer

One brand ready to help your company car fleet go electric is the VW Group. Their all-electric ID.5 is one of the most popular SUV Coupe options of 2025, with their offering including:

• Match Pure - from £41,090 this includes 19” alloys, LED headlamps, ambient lighting, navigation and leatherette steering wheel; 
• Match Pro - from £45,900 this includes 19” Hamar alloys, rear view camera, keyless entry, matrix LED lights and easy open & close tailgate; and
• GTX Edition - from £53,745 this includes 20” Ystad alloys, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, power-adjustable lumbar seats with massage, panoramic glass sunroof and area view camera.

The GTX is the amazing performance EV shown here. One of the e-car lease top-sellers for March 25’, this SUV has proved to be an outstanding success for company car schemes. With a whole host of options such as sports suspension, heated steering wheel, head restraints for the front seats, memory feature for the park assist, travel assist, keyless entry, front/rear parking sensors, augmented HUD, LED lights, carpet mats.

Harmon Kardon sound system, air care climatronic control, lane change system and advanced lights, it is safe to say this is a robust vehicle! Key colours include the Grenadilla Black, Kings Red, Blue Dusk, Scale Silver and Glacier White. Additional options to consider include the Sports Package Plus (for adaptive chassis control, sport shock absorbers and progressive steering), the swivelling tow-bar and the energy efficient heat pump. Build your option on the VW brand’s website.

But how does the GTX ID5 perform?

As per below:        

• this AWD SUV will have a 77 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.5 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 250 kW (or 335hp). Expect a combined winter range of 225 miles with warmer weather allowing for 305 miles – a 265 mile combined. On charging, the 11kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 175 kW DC maximum allowing 28 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 549L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 139 mpg. You can tow 750kg (Unbraked) and 1200kg (Braked). It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities. The Heat Pump is optional. 

In terms of the car shown, the  Volkswagen ID.5 250kW 4MOTION GTX Edition 79kWh 5dr Auto Pure Electric,  his is based on the following configuration:

•  Metallic Paint - Grenadilla Black
• Soul black dash trim with red inserts
•  Interior top sport plus package with Artvelours microfleece - Soul black/Tornado red stitching + GTX insert on front/outer rear seats
•  20" Ystad black diamond turned alloy wheels with sealed tyres
•  Charging cable mode 3, Type 2: 7.2kW 1-Phase/11kW 3-Phase (32A)

Need more help and advice on your new EV for 2025?

Head to the VW brand website to build your perfect option, or look at our ID.5 special offers or just get in touch with our team on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]