Blacktrace Holdings Welcomes Nissan Leafs To Company Car Scheme

LONDON – June 24, 2013: Royston-based science company Blacktrace Holdings has taken delivery of eight new Nissan LEAFs as part of its company car scheme.

Blacktrace Holdings is a group of companies who create commercially-viable products from new scientific discoveries or inventions. Their mantra is ‘Productizing ScienceTM’ and, appropriately, Blacktrace Holdings has welcomed the 100% electric Nissan LEAF in order to promote low CO2 company cars to employees.

Already eight LEAFs are with employees at subsidiary companies within Blacktrace Holdings to now use as their personal day-to-day cars. Blacktrace Holdings is offering the option of a company car to employees across its companies if the proposed vehicle emits less than 110g/km CO2.

The 100% electric LEAF produces no CO2 on the move and so qualifies for the company car scheme open to employees through a salary sacrifice arrangement. As salary sacrifice is heavily affected by a vehicle’s BIK, the 0% BIK rated LEAF stood out as a cost-effective solution to Blacktrace Holdings employees.

It wasn’t just the attractive price tag on the scheme that appealed to Blacktrace Holdings employees, with employees trialling head-to-head a Vauxhall Ampera and LEAF before deciding on the LEAF praising its styling, driver comfort and lower overall vehicle cost.

The employees’ new LEAFs are expected to cover around 10,000 miles per year as part of a two year leasing arrangement.

Mark Gilligan, Blacktrace Holdings group CEO said: “We’re a leading scientific company at the forefront of discovery and invention so it is fitting to offer our employees the forward thinking option of an electric vehicle. On a salary sacrifice scheme the 0% BIK of the LEAF makes it a simple decision for employees and they’re now enjoying the peace of mind that comes from driving a vehicle that emits no CO2. The enthusiasm of those who have already received their LEAFs is rubbing off on their colleagues, as we have more employees ready to try the LEAF!”

Barry Beeston, Nissan corporate sales director said: “We’re pleased to hear Blacktrace Holdings employees are already enjoying their new LEAFs as personal day-to-day cars and we look forward to providing further vehicles as their colleagues see the benefits of reduced running costs from a 100% electric vehicle.”