Many businesses that lease vehicles, either as an in-service fleet or as cars for their employees, will base their decisions on makes and models around fuel efficiency. But what exactly is fuel efficiency? In simple terms, it refers to how far a vehicle can travel on a specific amount of fuel. Usually this is measured in miles per gallon (MPG), the higher the figure, the less fuel the car uses over a certain distance.
Given that the last few years have seen an almost never-ending rise in fuel costs coupled with starker and more bleak warnings around climate change, businesses are becoming a lot more conscious of the financial and environmental impacts their lease vehicles are having. Thus, they start valuing a car’s MPG more and more.
From a cost perspective, fuel-efficient vehicles obviously help businesses save money. Because of those fluctuating fuel prices and the rising cost of living, choosing vehicles that use less fuel can make a big difference to their bottom line. When a business then happens to be running fleets or high-mileage vehicles, these savings can add up quickly and substantially!
From an environmental perspective, the more fuel-efficient a vehicle is, the less fuel it burns to get around, and therefore it emits fewer carbon emissions. Now, that’s obviously a good thing for the planet’s overall health, but when you think about how your business is going to demonstrate its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its commitment to sustainability – then using fuel-efficient vehicles is a pretty good way of hitting both of those objectives.
So, given we are a UK wide provider of lease vehicles for businesses, we’ve decided that in this article, we’re going to provide you with a list of the 7 most fuel efficient vehicles you can lease in the UK currently.
Why is Fuel Efficiency a Key Factor to Consider When Leasing Vehicles for a Business?
We’ve somewhat outlined this already. As we mentioned, there are 2 main reasons that businesses will consider a vehicle’s fuel efficiency before they lease it; how cost-effective it will be, and what environmental impact it will have.
Cost-effectiveness is the most obvious advantage. A business is run for profit (or if it isn’t, then it probably won’t be a business for much longer) and fuel-efficient vehicles help protect those profits. They cost less in fuel, they will have lower payable road tax each year, and they sometimes have lower maintenance costs on average. All of this, when added up, makes a more fuel-efficient vehicle better value for money than a less fuel-efficient one.
But cost savings aren’t the only reason that businesses will consider a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Social responsibility has become more and more of a concern for businesses. Clients and customers want to work with and buy from a business that adopts greener practices. Leasing fuel-efficient vehicles can help companies reduce their overall carbon footprint by emitting fewer greenhouse gases, and giving them a better reputation in the eyes of those who they want to impress.
Finally, there are smaller but still valuable benefits to leasing fuel efficient vehicles. Some cities in the UK are introducing clean air zones (you may have seen ULEZ in London in the news), where more polluting vehicles face extra charges. Having fuel efficient vehicles for your business helps you minimise these costs or get out of them all together. Plus, making the change to greener vehicles now, is going to protect your business against any further regulations that may come into play down the line.
What Makes A Vehicle More Fuel Efficient?
There are several key factors that influence a car’s fuel efficiency, with size, weight, and engine type being the biggest contributors. But how exactly do these elements affect how much fuel a car consumes?
Well, size and weight. It’s simple physics really – the larger and heavier a car is, the more fuel it needs to move. A bigger vehicle has more mass to push along the road, and this takes more energy, meaning it burns more fuel in the process. That’s why smaller cars like hatchbacks and compact models tend to have better MPG figures than larger vehicles like SUVs or vans.
Then there’s the type of engine a car has. Modern cars come with a range of engine options, and the type of engine plays a massive role in how fuel efficient the vehicle is. Hybrid vehicles (like the Toyota Prius) combine a traditional combustion engine with an electric motor, and this allows them to achieve incredible MPG figures. In the more traditional Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), diesel engines are often more efficient than petrol engines, especially for long-distance driving.
There are also other systems in automotive engineering which can impact a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Functions like start-stop systems that turn the engine off when the car is idle, improved aerodynamics, and low rolling resistance tyres are the main ones that stand out. All of these things help reduce or minimise the amount of energy needed to drive, which helps cars squeeze out more miles per gallon.
The 7 Most Fuel Efficient Cars to Lease in 2024/25
Now, without further ado, the list itself. Here are the 7 most fuel efficient vehicles you can get through a Yorkshire Fleet business lease in 2024/25.
- Toyota Prius – 94.1 MPG
- Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid – 83.1 MPG
- Fiat 500 – 74.3 MPG
- Peugeot 208 – 73.6 MPG
- Toyota Yaris – 68.9 MPG
- Renault Clio E-TECH – 68.9 MPG
- Peugeot 308 – 65.6 MPG
Toyota Prius
One of the first mainstream hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and accountable for almost 6 million HEV sales between 2001-2017, the Prius is practically synonymous with fuel efficiency. Its 94.1 MPG figure is impressive, and it’s a great option for businesses looking to minimise fuel costs while also cutting down on emissions.
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
The IONIQ Hybrid has a little bit more of a sleek design than other hybrids like the Prius, but it’s still got an impressive MPG. It’s an excellent option for businesses that want to combine fuel efficiency with something that still looks executive and modern. You’ve also got the added bonus of it coming with Hyundai’s reputation for building reliable cars, helping stave off unwanted maintenance costs in theory.
Fiat 500
It’s renowned for being a pretty small car, but that makes it good for city driving, and great for fuel efficiency. With a 74.3 MPG it’s a top contender on this list, and will help save the planet along with your wallet should your business opt to lease one or many of them.
Peugeot 208
With a fuel efficiency of 73.6 MPG, the 208 is a pretty stylish hatchback that’s perfect for businesses needing a versatile all-rounder. Its small size doesn’t compromise on comfort or space, which makes it a great option for those short commutes or as a fleet vehicle for staff that work in remote sales roles
Toyota Yaris
Dubbed by Top Gear as “not exciting, but definitely rewarding” the Yaris isn’t going to turn heads. But it will help you turn a profit with its 68.9 MPG fuel efficiency. It’s always been a popular choice for businesses who want something fuel-efficient for everyday use.
Renault Clio E-TECH
The Renault Clio E-TECH Hybrid delivers the same 68.9 MPG as the Yaris, but with a more sporty feel. Renault’s hybrid technology allows for a brilliant level of fuel efficiency in urban driving and this makes it a decent choice for any business that operates in cities or does lots of stop-start driving.
Peugeot 308
Rounding off the list at number 7 is the Peugeot 308 with an impressive 65.6 MPG. Larger than the 208, the 308 offers more interior space but that means it can’t compete with its smaller brother on fuel efficiency. That said though, 65.6 MPG is nothing minor, and if you’d prefer to not sacrifice as much space then the 308 is probably your best bet.
Drive Efficiency with Yorkshire Fleet
Getting your hands on any one of these makes/models we’ve listed is a smart decision, both financially and ethically.
Here at Yorkshire Fleet, we can get you behind the wheel of any 1 of these 7 cars in no time, regardless of whether you need just the one or a whole fleet of 50.
Ready to cut costs and reduce your carbon footprint? Call us today (on: 01653 604300) or visit our Contact Page to get a personalised quote and find out how we can help your business lease smarter.
