Yellowknife (Mar 06/06) - A concept to reward owners of gas-efficient vehicles with lower registration rates appears headed for the scrap heap.

Transportation minister Michael McLeod told the legislative assembly his department doesn't think it will "work all that well."

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche raised the issue in the legislative assembly on Thursday, after reading an article in Yellowknifer where a Transportation spokesperson said, "You're going to pay much more for a big truck than you do for a car."

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

Menicoche said many people in his constituency drive larger vehicles as a matter necessity.

"There are big distances between the communities I represent," said Menicoche.

"Some of those communities, in the winter time you need a 4x4 to get in and out. We're already paying high costs getting in and out of these communities."

McLeod said the intention wasn't to raise registration rates for larger vehicles, but to reward owners who buy more energy efficient cars and trucks with lower fees.

The initiative is found in the government's pre-budget consultation report. It's energy conservation action plan calls for a feasibility study to investigate "charging vehicle registration fees on the basis of vehicle weight and engine size."

It's one of several areas the government is looking at to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency. They are also looking at testing out some electric hybrid vehicles for their government fleet.

Last week, a Transportation spokesperson said the feasibility study on registration fees would begin as soon as possible, but McLeod appears to be backing away from that now.

"We've looked at it. We've looked at what's happening in other jurisdictions," said McLeod.

"We're not satisfied it's going to work all that well, so we're moving away from it."