Registration of new hybrid vehicles jumped 38 percent in 2007, according to R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive research and marketing company.

"I'm not surprised that the hybrids are selling more, in fact Toyota's up 20 percent over last year," Reno Toyota Inventory Manager Ashton Carroll said.

Like many drivers, Dianne Bird of Reno is buying a hybrid for relief from high gas prices. She's giving up driving a small SUV.

"Going from 20 miles to the gallon to 48... I thought it was awesome," she said.

Lonnie Miller, director of industry analysis at Polk, says the hybrid spike may actually may have to do more with availability than prices at the pump. According to the Associated Press, Miller says today buyers have more hybrid options available. He also says the technology is becoming more trusted by consumers.

News of the hybrid registration jump comes as gas prices in Reno are at record highs. According to AAA, the price of regular unleaded gas in Reno reached a record of an average of $3.70 on April 19 -- the price remained at about $3.70 on Monday the 21st.