FLEET operators will have to turn to the internet for the latest vehicle emission figures after the DTLR decision to cut spending on the Vehicle Certification Agency reference book.

The booklet containing CO2 emission figures for every car on sale in the UK has been published twice a year, but the DTLR has decided to give the VCA website, www.vca.gov.uk, a higher profile while cutting back to one edition of the VCA book a year.

It means that as the fleet industry approaches the start of the new company car tax company car tax, the most up-to-date VCA book they will have for reference is dated July 2001, and they cannot rely on it for the latest information.

Peter Nicholl, VCA deputy chief executive, said: 'We are all aware that there will soon be changes to the company car tax rules and this is why we are continually updating the website and checking with manufacturers whether anything has changed.'

A spokeswoman for the DTLR said: 'We have stopped producing the booklet twice a year and will be promoting the VCA website as the primary source of emissions and fuel consumption information, because it is a more cost-effective way of providing the information.

'People who do not have access to the website can obtain the information from the manufacturers.'