Hybrid Vehicles: A California Fad?

The article Red Hot in AutoWeek states, "Hybrids are still hot stuff - registrations rose 34.8 percent in the first seven months of the year to 144,377 units, according to R.L. Polk & Co. But most of the heat is generated in the Golden State."

A number of reasons are cited to explain California's interest in hybrids, such as traffic, pollution and car pool lane access. In summary, it is noted that California often leads trends that eventually reach the rest of the country; however, some of those trends burn out as fads.

So, what about hybrid vehicles - fad or trend?

I guess if high gas prices are just a fad and concern about foreign oil dependency is just a fad, as well as if concern about global warming is just a fad, then it is possible that California's love affair with hybrid cars is also just a fad.