Demand rising for hybrids as gas prices soar

"Nobody expected this kind of demand for the Prius. If the price of gas hit four dollars, you'd probably have to wait five years for them," Grabiec said.

Gas-conscious buyers are a new phenomenon at Toyota 101.

"At first, people who were buying the Prius were basing their decision more on the environmental concerns. We had a lot of people from Atherton, Portola Valley - the more educated part of the populace," Grabiec said.

In the last five months, more and more buyers are mentioning the savings of a more fuel-efficient engine, he said.

Hybrid purchasers may also be swayed by government incentives for buying hybrids. Rather than phasing out a $2,000 tax deduction for buying a hybrid vehicle, Congress voted recently to extend it through 2006.

In addition, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law a bill allowing hybrids the use of carpool lanes, even with only a single driver.

The Ford Escape is the only American hybrid but does not meet the state's emissions requirements to drive in the car pool lane.

"In terms of fuel-efficiency, the American car companies are behind. I mean, they're coming out with muscle cars now, these big gas-guzzlers," Grabiec said. "Who wants a muscle car with gas prices being what they are?"

Hybrid engines, by combining an emissions-free electric motor with a conventional gas engine, are able to greatly increase the fuel efficiency and decrease the air pollution of an ordinary, gas-powered engine.

GM scaled back its original plan for a hybrid SUV. The Saturn VUE hybrid was supposed to be released in 2005 with 50 percent more fuel efficiency than the gas-engine model. That plan has now been dropped in favor of a less expensive model coming out in 2006 that increases fuel efficiency by 15 percent.

However, those who want the hybrid to dominate the market may have a while to wait.

Vince Simonitus is a local resident who owns a Prius. He purchased the car three years ago, pleased by its eco-friendly design. He still also owns a gas-engine station wagon.

Does he think the hybrid engine will replace the combustion engine entirely?

"Hopefully," he said. "But in the meantime, I do a lot of Tahoe driving, and I need the fast acceleration and the four-wheel drive capability. Until they put those things in a hybrid car, I'll keep the station wagon."

Matt Callahan/Daily Journal

Don Grabiec, a salesman at Toyota 101 in Redwood City, said the popular Toyota Prius has a five- to six-month waiting period.