Slideshow

10 essential company car features for 2026

From adaptive cruise control to Vehicle-to-Load charging capabilities, these are the essential features to look for in your next company car to make every journey as pleasant as possible

10 essential company car features for 2026

Mercedes C-Class EV front static

If you have been provided with a company car it’s fair to assume you’re going to spend a lot of time in it. And that’s why you need to choose the vehicle carefully, because not only do you want to keep your company car Benefit-in-Kind taxation bill to a minimum, but you want the sort of equipment that will make your daily driving tasks easier.

Here we list the 10 best company car accessories and kit that will make your working life that bit more enjoyable.

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Adaptive cruise control (with Stop & Go)

Adaptive cruise control is a must if you and your work fleet vehicle spend a lot of time on the motorways. Not only does it keep you a safe distance from the car ahead when traffic is flowing freely, but the latest systems also deal with the boring stop-start stuff when you’re in that inevitable traffic jam.

And because the system does a lot of the heavy lifting in traffic, you can arrive at your work in a fresher state of mind.

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology

V2L is how you turn your company electric vehicle into a mobile power bank. It allows you to plug in your laptop or other such equipment to keep it all charged between meetings. If your car has a three-pin socket in it, you could even boil a kettle if necessary.

Such a system could be a key advantage when you’re choosing the best electric cars for business leasing.

Heat pump (for EV efficiency)

Given that UK winters tend to be somewhat chilly, a heat pump is vital for your electric company vehicle. This is because it is able to extract warmth from outside air and transfer it to the car's interior, instead of your car’s battery being used to power an electric heater. This means that heating the company lease vehicle doesn’t deplete battery charge, which in turn preserves the range.

Integrated EV route planning

Range anxiety remains a key concern for company car drivers thinking about moving into the world of electric vehicles. How can you depend on your fleet vehicle if you aren’t sure if you’ll be able to get to that vital meeting or not?

Well, integrated EV route planning in modern EVs takes the worry out of journeys by not only keeping an eye on the car’s state of battery charge, but also using navigation to guide you to the nearest available charging point. This is essential for high-mileage corporate fleet vehicles.

Matrix LED headlights

Audi Q4 e-tron 2021 matrix headlights close-up

Safety is a priority for any company car driver and fleet manager. And having maximum visibility is key when you’re driving after a long day behind the wheel. That’s where matrix LED headlights come in. These allow you to keep high beams on without dazzling others, by dimming only the part of the beam that’s directed at other drivers.

360-degree parking cameras

Car parks can be risky places for fleet vehicles. Inadequate spaces, busy people and time pressure can all contribute to you being at risk of breaching your “fair wear and tear” guidelines. A 360-degree parking camera system features cameras all around the car, which combine to give you a “bird’s eye” view of the vehicle and the space you’re trying to get into. These cameras also help prevent kerbed wheels.

100kW+ DC fast charging capability

Renault 4 rapid charging in Salisbury 3

If you’re out on the road, sitting still while you electric fleet vehicle charges up is dead time. That’s why it’s worth looking into how quickly a car can accept charge when you’re choosing your next company vehicle. If you can find a business contract hire car that can charge from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes you’ll minimise the downtime spent at a charger.

Wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay / Android Auto)

Skoda smartlink wireless connected to apple carplay

Most cars have some form of infotainment set-up these days, but if you want your car to truly be a mobile office, then smartphone mirroring isn’t just desirable, it’s essential for hands-free productivity. It also enhances safety for your employees because many functions are voice controlled.

Ergonomic memory seats

Company cars tend to do a lot of miles, which means the people in them tend to be sitting there for a long time. Therefore it’s important for the seats in those fleet vehicles to be comfortable and supportive.

Indeed, if your employees share a pool car, then memory seats will be a godsend. It’s worth paying a bit extra for upgraded memory seats, simply because they’ll keep your staff healthier, and sharper for doing business.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Choosing a company car can be a case of swings and roundabouts. You don’t want to pay for too many extras for fear of pushing up the P11D price, but safety kit is worthwhile investment if it saves your staff from having an accident.

In addition, a fleet lease vehicle with extra safety kit might also attract a lower insurance premium. Systems such as blind-spot monitoring are must-haves to keep your staff safe on the road in their company vehicles.


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