Demand For Hybrid Cars Continues To Rise

The number of hybrid cars registered in America last year set a record.

The high cost of gasoline is one reason for the surge in demand, but other elements are technology and variety, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported.

"Now that we're looking at $4 a gallon gas, these are up to about 35 to 40 percent of our sales," car dealer Ray Adams said.

Hybrid vehicles have smaller gasoline engines that are supplemented by electric motors, which are recharged. The electric batteries for the hybrids are now coming with longer warranties and replaceable elements.

However, folks need to change the way the drive to improve the mile-per-gallon ratio.

"Smooth (driving) -- not really punching it, is the best way if you want to get 45 to 50 miles per gallon," Adams said.

While most car sales went down in 2007, hybrid registration jumped up 38 percent. Overall, hybrids are 2 percent of the American market.

The Toyota Prius is the dominant hybrid vehicle in America, but there are more models than there used to be.

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