The company has received over 3,000 requests for information on the scheme from an eligible workforce of 20,000 staff since the beginning of May. Five hundred vehicles have already been ordered, including Audi, Ford, Toyota and Mercedes.

Salary sacrifice schemes provide employees with a fully managed car for a monthly fee, which includes insurance, service, maintenance and repair costs that are deducted from their salary before tax.

The partnership with Lex Autolease complements Perth-based SSE’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint with all vehicles selected under the scheme emitting less than 120g/km, and many under 99g/km.

Kevin O’Neil, development manager at SSE, said: ‘The salary sacrifice scheme is a great way to recognise the commitment and hard work of our staff, as part of our wider benefits package, but also support our core philosophy of sustainability and in reducing SSE’s carbon footprint.’

Mike Lauriello, senior corporate relationship manager at Lex Autolease, said: ‘The SSE scheme has been extremely well-received by staff in the first few weeks of its implementation and we expect to see further growth in participation figures.

‘For many employees, it has provided the perfect opportunity to buy their first car, while also enabling them to take full advantage of the tax benefits that salary sacrifice presents.’