Pain at the pump has people looking for cheaper ways to get around.
And that has car makers boosting hybrid production.

Once a luxury for environmentalists with deep pockets, hybrids are now becoming more affordable.
 
Hybrids - They're not just for the ultra-green anymore.  They're for anyone looking to stretch a budget.

"I liked it in the beginning because of the gas mileage...and we take long trips in the summertime, so thought that might help," says hybrid owner Cristina Gaston.

There are currently less than 20 hybrid models on the market, but sales are soaring.

"The big thing is the gas electric engine combination," points out Moses Reyna, a hybrid car salesman.  "It does very well the fuel economy is averaging 55 miles to the gallon, which is a big selling motivation for dealers and a good buying tool for customers."

With gas prices going up and hybrid prices coming down...The math is pretty easy to figure out.

"The price range that the Prius is in, definitely appeals to most every typical family household," says Reyna.

There's no doubt hybrids are now being targeted at mainstream america.  Saturn just introduced a hybrid s-u-v that was priced in the low twenties.  Eight years ago only 9,000 hybrids were sold in this country. But that number has now jumped to more than a quarter of a million.

Car makers say the demand for hybrids will grow exponentially during the next decade. 

The hybrid market isn't just expanding to affordable models. More high-end luxury vehicles also have hybrid versions.