As gas prices rise, so does the demand for hybrid cars

Analysts predict gas prices could reach $2 per gallon by this summer. That has many folks thinking about hybrid cars, so they can save on gas money. <br><br>But are hybrids all they're cracked up

Wednesday, April 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Analysts predict gas prices could reach $2 per gallon by this summer. That has many folks thinking about hybrid cars, so they can save on gas money.

But are hybrids all they're cracked up to be? News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger talks to one woman who says she's sold on the fuel efficient vehicles.

"They're wonderful cars. I wish everyone had one instead of those gas guzzling trucks." Janet Newton says she used to drive a gas guzzler, until she bought a hybrid car last year, a Toyota Prius. She says she's saving lots of money in gasoline.

Her truck got about 20 miles per gallon, but the Prius gets 60 miles to the gallon. â€œWe could go somewhere around 500 miles before you have to fill up the tank."

Toyota's Prius was the first fuel efficient, low emissions car on the market and was voted car of the year in 2004. Consumer Relations Manager Debbie Keathley says that has sparked high demand. "They're producing them as fast as they can. There's a very minimum wait to get one."

And Toyota's success has pumped other car makers into producing their version of hybrid vehicles which run on gas and electricity. Ford says it will start selling the first hybrid sports utility vehicle later this year, their version of the Ford Escape.

Sales consultant Ross Lord says the Escape Hybrid will offer the same size, and look as the regular Escape SUV, except it'll be more fuel efficient, 35 miles per gallon in the city, 29 miles on the highway, compared to a regular escape's 20 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway. "The customer base really does want to see alot more fuel economy alot more less emissions."

But some analysts say the fuel savings aren't really worth the price. Hybrid cars could run several thousand dollars more than their gas-powered counterparts. But Janet says she's enjoying her ride and the gas savings, too.

Ford has not yet announced the price of the new hybrid SUV's.