FLEET managers are making desperate efforts to provide their drivers with guidance on the tax bills they could face under CO2-based company car tax. Forward-looking decision makers are struggling to provide even basic information to drivers to warn them that high CO2 figures could mean higher tax bills.

But managers fear they are fighting a losing battle until the Government provides clearer information on the shape of the new tax. Wholelife cost consultant Emmox is reporting increasing demand for a new CO2 module provided with its CarCost programme. But Andrew Wright, sales director, said: 'The largest problem that fleet managers are bringing to us is the confusion and lack of clarity surrounding the shape of the new tax. Fleet managers are putting systems in place to prepare, but there is little else they can do.'

David Elliot, administrator of the Weir Group's 900-vehicle fleet, including 600 cars, said: 'We are using Emmox CO2 figures on choice lists, because the Government has indicated the figures will be the base for the tax, but nothing is clear. We give drivers basic information, but apart from articles on Fleet NewsNet, there is no guidance.'

John Toule, head of facilities management for Sanctuary Housing, who runs a 125-car fleet, said: 'Drivers could come back to us in two years' time and accuse us of costing them money if we did not provide enough information. We are trying to raise awareness that the tax is coming, but there is little we can do apart from provide the CO2 figures, as we don't know what shape the tax will take.'