Though eco-friendly hybrid cars have been selling steadily at local retailers since their introduction in 1999, Penn State's Eco-Action group wants the university to implement more incentives for owners of hybrids.

Maura Cowley, co-president of Eco-Action, said the group is trying to get Penn State to designate priority parking for hybrids.

"As many incentives as can be provided for hybrid cars the better," she said.

Kelly Ariosto (Class of 2005) said she thinks that hybrids are a great idea, but because not everyone can afford them, priority parking would be unfair.

"I don't think they should get any special treatment," Ariosto said.

However, Doug Holmes, assistant director for parking at Penn State, said Transportation Services have not received a request from Eco-Action.

In President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Address, he said research for better hybrid car batteries and emission free hydrogen vehicles would increase. The government, though, has already had incentives in place to encourage consumers to buy hybrids.

This year the government is offering a tax credit for people who buy hybrid cars. The credit can range from about $2,200 to $3,150, depending on the gas mileage of the car, said Devlon Cowart, a sales consultant at Joel Confer Toyota, 120 E. Clinton Ave. Cowart added that in past years the government has offered a tax deduction for hybrid car buyers, and they have been selling steadily.

Cowley said she also supports the tax credit the government gives to hybrid owners.

A tax credit is taken directly off of taxes that are owed. As a person's tax rate increases, a tax deduction becomes more valuable because it reduces the total income that a person's tax liability is calculated from.

Currently, Joel Confer Toyota has two hybrid car models, the Toyota Highlander, a hybrid SUV, and the Toyota Prius. Soon they will have three models though, with the release of the 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid, Cowart said.

He said the age range for people buying hybrid cars varies, from the early 20s to above 60 years of age, but students do not account for much of new car sales, whether they are hybrids or traditional gas vehicles.

Bob Holderman, a manager at Confer Workman Inc., 2822 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, said that sales of the Ford Escape hybrid are not very high because of the type of driving done in the area.

They are more popular with the university-based consumers rather than average locals because of the slower driving speeds around campus, Holderman said. The average speed hybrid cars reach before the gas engine kicks in is 35 mph.

Some students, though, said they are looking toward the hybrid model cars.

"I've considered them, especially with gas prices," John Kellman (junior-electrical engineering) said.

Kellman said the tax credit being offered by the government is a good idea, and it might help sell more hybrids.

The only problem, he said, would be the hybrid car's power, but he thinks it won't be a problem in the future.

Seth Wilberding (graduate-landscape architecture) said when he graduates this spring he will be looking into cars and is considering buying a hybrid.

"I think it's because of the gas prices and a raised environmental consciousness," he said.