High gas prices — now at about $4 a gallon — are triggering a surge in hybrid-car sales in the US. This from the LA Times:

Although hybrid cars account for only about 3% of U.S. car sales, their share is growing rapidly. Sales of hybrid cars surged 25% during the first four months of this year compared with the same period last year. And the pace accelerated last month, when sales jumped 58%. That outpaced the overall April sales gain of 18% for small fuel-efficient cars and comes as total new-vehicle sales are slumping.

High gas prices continue to affect American motorists, staying at record highs for the 13th day in a row, according to the AAA.

CNN reports that US gas prices have now risen for 14 straight days.

According to the report: “For the first time since 2002, Americans plan to drive less on the holiday weekend than they did the year before, with high gasoline prices in a weak economy a prime reason.”