FLEET managers preparing for the arrival of CO2-based company car tax in 2002 have warned that the system will be plunged into disarray without clearer information from manufacturers, dealers and the Government. They have thrown their weight behind the 'CO2 Confusion: Clear Up Clean Up' campaign launched by sister publication Fleet News last week which calls for carbon dioxide figures to be included as standard in all product information from dealers, and from contract hire companies.

At the Association of Car Fleet Operators annual meeting and conference on Thursday, the Government was accused of not doing enough to help them to prepare for the introduction of a new CO2-based company car tax system - due to come into force in April 2002 - based on a percentage of a car's list price, according to its carbon dioxide emissions.

Many fleets claim they are working on adapting to the changes which will affect vehicles they buy today under usual three-year replacement programmes but are struggling to get the CO2 emission data. The Government's own booklet, 'New Car Fuel Consumption Figures', produced by the Vehicle Certification Agency, has been attacked as unclear and Dianne Rees, business services manager at Leo Pharmaceuticals, said: 'We have to see some clearer information from the VCA. If fleet drivers don't understand the present system, how are they going to understand the new one?