The federal government announced measures this week to encourage Canadians to use fuel-efficient vehicles. One of those was a rebate program while another is a new green levy, or tax, that manufacturers of vehicles that have poor fuel efficiency will have to pay. More information about these incentives can be found at Finance Canada's website. Passenger cars, SUVs and vans will be subject to the rebate and fee plan. Pickup trucks will not eligible for either a rebate or a levy.

The rebate will be paid by the government, not dealers, to owners or lessees of new qualifed vehicles. The program is effective immediately although details about the plan's administration have yet to be announced.

The levy will paid by the manufacturer when the vehicle is delivered to the deler.

Existing inventory is exempt so vehicles on a dealer's lot prior to the budget will not be assessed.

Desrosiers Automotive Consultants has provided CTV News with a partial list of vehicles that will likely qualify for a rebate and a partial or incomplete list of vehicles that will likely be assessed a levy.

This is not an official list. Readers should contact Transport Canada and consult with their dealers before making purchasing decisions. The data provided here is for information only and as a general guide.

Green Levy

There are only eight vehicles subject to the full green levy of $4,000. Here they are by manufacturer, with the suggested list price in brackets:

• BMW M5 Base Manual 6-speed 4dr RWD Sedan ($113,300)
• BMW M6 Base (M6) 2dr RWD Coupe ($128,300)
• BMW M6 Base (M6) 2dr RWD Cabriolet ($138,300)
• Mercedes-Benz G500 Base (Automatic 7-speed transmission) 4dr AWD ($111,900)
• Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG Base 4dr AWD ($102,000)
• Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Base 4dr AWD ($96,800)
• Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Base (A5) 4dr AWD ($152,450)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 4dr 4x4 $49,880

There are 20 vehicles that will pay a $3,000 green levy. They include variants of the:

• Land Rover Range Rover
• Lexus GX470
• Nissan Armada
• Ford Expedition
• Infiniti QX56
• 6 Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

There are 56 other vehicles sold in the Canadian market that will be hit with a levy of $1,000 or $2,000.

This levy will not be paid directly by the consumer. It is to be paid by the manufacturer when the vehicle is delivered to the dealer. So the sticker price of the vehicle will incorporate the tax.

Rebates

The rebate, on the other hand, will be paid directly to consumers. Details are to be worked out but anyone taking delivery of a qualifying vehicle -- either leased or bought - should hold on to the paperwork. The government will send the cheque out later.

Only 21 vehicles in all of Canada qualify for a rebate and of those, only four qualify for the full rebate of $2,000. They are:

• Ford Escape Hybrid Base (300A) 4dr FWD ($33,799)
• Ford Escape Hybrid Base (400A) 4dr 4x4 ($36,599)
• Honda Civic Hybrid Base (CVT) 4dr Sedan ($26,250)
• Toyota Prius Base (CVT) 4dr hatchback ($31,280)

Vehicle models eligible for $1,000 - $1,500 rebates include:

• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Mini Cooper
• Toyota Yaris (CE, RS, LE, RS, Base)
• Toyota Corolla (CE and Sport)
• Nissan Altima Hybrid
• Ford Escape HEV 4X4
• Saturn VUE Hybrid
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Patriot
• Lexus GS 450H
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Base and Limited 7-Passenger)
• Jeep Compass (Sport/North, Limited)
• Jeep Patriot (Sport/North, Limited)
• Chevrolet Impala FFV
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo FFV
• Chrysler Sebring FFV