Business lease shortlist: four electrified cars worth comparing

September 3, 2026

This week’s shortlist brings together four electrified options for different fleet roles: a compact EV, an electric SUV, a plug-in hybrid SUV and a full-hybrid estate.

All four offer a credible route to lower-emission company-car use, but the right choice depends on charging access, mileage, space requirements and whole-life cost rather than monthly rental alone.

Renault 5 E-Tech Techno+ Comfort Range 52kWh

£262.57 per month | £3,150.86 initial rental | 36 months | 10,000 miles

The Renault 5 remains one of the more appealing routes into a compact electric company car.

Its 52kWh battery gives it enough range to move beyond purely urban use, while the relatively low monthly rental makes it relevant for fleets looking to extend EV eligibility further down company-car grades.

For drivers with reliable home or workplace charging, it offers a combination of low Benefit-in-Kind, manageable running costs and a compact footprint.

Best for: Urban and regional company-car users who want a lower-cost EV without sacrificing useful everyday range.

Source: Renault 5 E-Tech

Skoda Elroq 60 SE L 63kWh

£290.28 per month | £3,483.36 initial rental | 36 months | 10,000 miles

The Elroq gives fleets a more practical electric SUV option without moving significantly beyond the Renault on monthly cost.

Its larger body and 63kWh battery make it better suited to drivers needing family space or carrying capacity, while Skoda’s established fleet presence may reassure businesses moving larger numbers of drivers into EVs.

At under £300 per month, it also demonstrates how mainstream electric SUVs are becoming increasingly competitive on lease cost.

Best for: Company-car users needing SUV practicality with a straightforward move into a full EV.

Source: Skoda Elroq 60 SE L

BYD Seal U DM-i Boost

£352.82 per month | £4,233.89 initial rental | 36 months | 10,000 miles

The Seal U DM-i provides a useful stepping stone for fleets that want greater electrification but still have drivers whose mileage or charging access makes a full EV difficult.

Its plug-in hybrid powertrain allows shorter journeys to be completed electrically when charged regularly, while retaining petrol flexibility for longer trips.

That makes driver behaviour particularly important. Fleets will only realise the strongest cost and emissions benefits if users actually plug the vehicle in rather than treating it as a conventional hybrid.

Best for: Drivers with regular access to charging who still need long-distance flexibility.

Source: BYD Seal U DM-i

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 1.8 Hybrid Design

£312.66 per month | £3,751.92 initial rental | 36 months | 10,000 miles

The Corolla Touring Sports remains relevant where fleet drivers need estate practicality but cannot reliably plug in.

Its full-hybrid powertrain requires no charging infrastructure, while the estate body provides a more useful load area for drivers carrying equipment or regularly undertaking mixed urban and motorway journeys.

It does not offer the Benefit-in-Kind advantage of a full EV, but it provides a lower-emission alternative for roles where charging access remains the limiting factor.

Best for: Higher-mileage or equipment-carrying drivers who need electrification without depending on a charger.

Source: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid

What should fleets compare?

The Renault 5 offers the lowest-cost full-EV route here, while the Elroq adds SUV practicality for relatively little extra each month.

The BYD provides plug-in flexibility for drivers who cannot yet commit fully to battery electric, while the Corolla remains a practical electrified fallback where regular charging is unavailable.

Fleet managers should compare total rental commitment, Benefit-in-Kind, electricity or fuel expenditure, charging access, insurance and genuine duty-cycle suitability before ordering.

More than EV versus hybrid, the key distinction is how much of each driver’s working mileage can realistically be completed electrically.

Prices checked 3 September 2026. Listings can change and processing fees may apply. Fleets should confirm the latest rental, initial payment, annual mileage and contract terms with the provider before ordering.