New hybrid vehicle registrations in the U.S. rose to 83,153 in 2004, which was an 81 percent increase from 2003 according to researcher R. L. Polk & Co.. Hybrid vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and also an electric motor.
Hybrid choices include Toyota Prius; Honda Civic, Accord and Insight, and Ford Escape, and several new hybrid models, including the Dodge Ram, Lexus RX 400h and the Mercury Mariner.
Since hybrid vehicles were introduced in 2000, the market has swelled by more than 960 percent.
