Businesses are unprepared for significant changes in the rules covering company car taxes which came into force on 1 April, according to research for fleet managers, LeasePlan UK.

A YouGov survey found that almost half (48%) of senior managers with decision making responsibility for company cars say their businesses have not changed their fleet policy in preparation for the incoming tax rules.

The changes include new CO2 thresholds which are used to calculate a number of tax allowances.

More than half (51%) said the new tax changes would place further financial strain on their business.

When asked whether conditions were harder or easier for business drivers now compared to 12 months ago, almost half (47%) said it was 'harder' or 'a lot harder'.

David Brennan, LeasePlan managing director, said: 'These tax changes have been introduced with the laudable intention of promoting the adoption of lower-emitting vehicles. However, fleet managers and drivers may not be aware of, or adequately prepared for the specific tax impact these measures may have on their business.'

Brennan said businesses also need to plan for other developments such as changes to First Year Allowances (FYA). This will see 100% FYA extended for a further three years to 31 March 2018 but with restrictions on the threshold from 2015, to just 75g/km.