SUBSTANTIAL obstacles continue to block the creation of a single car policy across Europe for companies.

Even though an EU Directive paved the way for harmonisation in taxes and excise duties back in 1997, inconsistencies have still been allowed to continue, said Ernst & Young director Alastair Kendrick at the Fleet News Europe Conference, in Brussels.

He said: 'Different countries have different criteria covering company cars, the way they are procured and what kind of models they should be. But while harmony of views is a difficult issue, tax is even more complicated.