Slotting into the lowest 9% BIK tax band but with precisely twice the power of the zero-emission Renault Zoe, the new BMW i3 S is a savvy company car choice for those after a low-tax hot hatch.
This new electric BMW supermini stands alongside the standard i3 but gains extra muscle from its tuned motor, lowered sports suspension and wheels that have been pushed further apart on their axles for greater roadholding.
BIK bills of just £111 per month for 40% taxpayers
With a list price just shy of £37,000 the i3 S is not a cheap car to lease – so you’ll need to have a large monthly allowance to avoid digging into your own pocket each month. However, its rock-bottom BIK rating of 9% means that it’ll cost you less in company car tax than a 100hp 1.0-litre automatic Ford Fiesta.
Higher rate taxpayers can expect a monthly bill of £111 compared with £120 for the £16,395 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 115hp SRI VX-Line 5dr. And the tax savings are even bigger if you compare to other upmarket small hatchbacks like the Audi A1.*
Go for the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI 150 S Line automatic and you’ll face a bill of £159 per month.*
Save £135 per month with BMW i3 S compared with BMW 120i M Sport
The potential savings grow even larger compared with the BMW 120i M Sport 5dr, which offers similar performance to the i3 S. Despite reasonably low emissions for a nippy petrol model – placing it into the 26% BIK band – and an £8,560 lower price tag than the i3, it’ll cost you an additional £135 every month in tax, at £246.*
And if you’re considering a diesel BMW 125d M Sport, that lightens your wallet to the tune of £276 every month – nearly £2,000 more than the i3 over the year.*
Even the smaller, more affordable VW Polo GTI DSG 5dr will set you back £61 more per month in tax than the i3 S, with the MINI Cooper S 5dr automatic weighing in at a couple of pounds more. The much cheaper-feeling Renaultsport Clio 200, meanwhile, is still £58 per month dearer than the i3.*
Real-world range stands at 125 miles – the same as standard BMW i3
Where the i3 S can’t compete with petrol and diesel alternatives is in range. BMW claims that this car can cover up to 174 miles per charge, though you can expect a real-world figure of around 125 miles between plugs.
On the flipside, if you’re able to top up at work and when you get home, this could cut petrol stations out of your life completely.
Read our best electric cars for company car drivers story to see all the other top plug-in models that could slash your tax bills.
Looking to find out more about company cars? Take a look at the stories below:
- Lexus sets sights on company car drivers
- Skoda adds petrol engines to company car trims
- BIK tax explained; how to cut your bills
*All BIK charges calculated assuming the driver is a 40% taxpayer
