Salary sacrifice

They are, even in absolute terms, never mind inflation-adjusted. As my business use pattern emerges (generally not that much, and a strong focus on trains for longer trips, but a 30-miles-each-way commute when I feel like some office coffee) I think an iPace will fit — without its relatively poor efficiency and range-acquisition numbers being too great an obstacle. It’s such a nice piece of design, and so good to drive, that it feels like a shame not to have one for a couple of years, even if I then move on to something more modern in infrastructure. (I still don’t think there’s a better-looking EV anywhere.) If I don’t pay too much (and I do realise the cash amount still seems like a lot) then the overall cost should be manageable. An Approved one would come with two years of warranty and should have minimal non-routine costs. Insurance seems to be about the same as the CLS.

This one, for example.



I like blue — although it is a big car to be that blue. (A near-neighbour has one in dreary navy blue, which removes most of the dynamism from the shape and detailing. The roofline-echoing panel on the lower doors is critical, so it has to have enough contrast.) And the leather-free interior is nicely forward-looking. (Read about the deforestation caused in South America to provide leather for car interiors.) Not sure I’d choose the 22in wheels — either on aesthetic or efficiency grounds — but that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, nor should it wear out a lot of tyres in my time with it. But iPaces on 19s and 20s ride so well that it would be a pity if this one didn’t. 

It is in Scotland, though, which makes popping in for a quick try-out awkward. Might need to pester a more local dealer who has another car with 22s.

used.jaguar.co.uk/approved-used/jaguar-i-pace-hse-black-edition-24239ced7d7cdb87cc62c676dac1e28e8d1a5952?___SID=U

It’ll get enough use — just not megamiles as a businessperson’s car once might have expected. I’m estimating 8,000-10,000 a year.

The CLS has to go before long, probably within a year; comfortable and capable as it is, I’m no longer comfortable with it as part of my, ahem, personal brand, so it’s time for someone else to worry about that.

Looks very nice. Some of the EVs are weird looking or odd. The only ones that look good to me are the I5, EV6, iPace and the Taycan as they seem to make a virtue of their EV battery architecture.

In other areas of life, one major expenditure might be ‘balanced’ by economies elsewhere. Domestically, however, ‘balance’ seems to be achieved by doubling down. Curious.

Salary sacrifice in another form, I suppose.

Mine has been sacrificed so often over the years that I’m supremely confident of being in favour with the gods!