Yellowknife (Mar 01/06) - The gas station won't be the only place where pick-up truck and SUV owners will be dishing out more cash if a territorial government plan goes through.

The GNWT is investigating the feasibility of charging higher registration fees to owners of large automobiles in an effort to "encourage people to use and buy more energy efficient vehicles," said Bob Kelly, communications manager for the Department of Transportation.

"You're going to pay much more for a big truck than you do for a car."

The idea for higher registration fees based on vehicle weight and engine size is contained in the government's Energy Conservation Action Plan, unveiled in the legislative assembly in February.

No date has been set to implement the change, but Kelly said a feasibility study will begin as soon as possible. "Whether it's possible to manipulate the registration system, that's something I guess the feasibility study will look at."

Kelly couldn't say what the possible rate differences would be or what will be done with the extra cash the government receives from SUV/pick-up truck owners.

The yearly registration fee for all regular single-axle vehicles is $82.56.

It's no secret that pick-up trucks and SUVs are extremely popular in the NWT. Yellowknife streets are full of them.

The government itself plans to lead the charge. They plan to buy a couple of gas-electric hybrid vehicles as a pilot test to see if they can save on their department gas bills.

"(It's) to set an example that hopefully will be emulated by others, but it will give us some hands-on knowledge of how those vehicles work in a Northern environment," said Kelly.

Brian Hixenbaugh, sales manager for Autotech, said sports utility vehicles make up 70 to 80 per cent of all their sales. He said they sell about 50 to 60 of them every year.

A better idea instead of higher registration fees would be to order annual vehicle inspections and emissions checks like other Canadian jurisdictions do, said Hixenbaugh.

"We're 20 light years behind the rest of Canada when it comes to vehicle safety," said Hixenbaugh.

"You can drive anything you want as long as it has wheels on it."

City Councillor Kevin O'Reilly said he likes the idea of higher fees for bigger vehicles.

"When I look around I certainly see more than our fair share of large vehicles driving around with only one person in them," said O'Reilly.

"If we can find ways to move to smaller vehicles to save energy and help protect our environment, why wouldn't we?"