LAFAYETTE -- More Louisiana and U.S. car owners went "green" in 2006, setting record sales for hybrid, clean diesel and ethanol-ready vehicles.

Associated Press

Toyota Prius

Alternative fuel automobiles in Louisiana grew by 28 percent in 2006, to 190,000 overall on the road, according to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade association for vehicle manufacturers that focuses on environmental and safety issues.

Louisiana ranks 21st nationally for ownership, though the state still doesn't have any gas stations offering E-85 fuel. Those may come in the next few years, as three planned ethanol plants move toward the production of fuel from sugar cane.

A record 1.5 million sales were made nationally in 2006, bringing the total number of alt-autos in the U.S. to 10.5 million.

The totals aren't overwhelming. Alt-autos only made up about 10 percent of all car sales. But ever-increasing gas prices have made hybrids more attractive, and marketers hope to draw in more buyers -- and their children -- with both the cost-saving and environmental benefits of alternative fuel vehicles.

"We're showing people these aren't just for environmentalists or the elites, but everyday people and their kids are seeing what a hybrid is all about," said Cindy Knight, Toyota spokeswoman, whose Prius is the most popular hybrid on the market. "We want to make it something that doesn't seem like you have to make a sacrifice to own it or requires too many compromises to embrace it."

At present, there are 2,633 hybrid electric, 92,631 ethanol-capable E-85 and 95,171 clean-diesel autos on Louisiana's roads.

The state's 21st ranking is largely because of its limited size, but auto experts say other states have taken the lead because they offer incentives to buyers of alt-autos.

Some states offer tax incentives for new alternative auto owners. In California, hybrid drivers can speed by in the highway carpool lane without any passengers.

In the Midwest, E-85 fuel stations abound, thanks to an increase in corn production. Louisiana is one of 10 states without the ethanol fuel option.

It speaks to the importance of having a variety of options that fit the needs of different regions right now, said Monica Salaka, spokeswoman for AAM.

"It differs by state. The highest number in Texas is clean diesels for their trucks," she said. "California led the nation in hybrid sales."

Sixty models of alternative autos were on the market in 2006, up from 12 in 2000 when major manufacturers like Honda and Toyota first introduced the option.

Hybrids run on both gas and electric engines, using excess heat and energy from the gas engine to charge electric batteries. Clean-diesel eliminates key pollutants from the air and uses fuel from sugar cane and corn.

Missy Dupreast bought her first hybrid in early 2007, a Toyota Prius, after months of excitement and anticipation.

At $24,000, the Prius costs a few thousand more than a normal Toyota sedan and may seem out of reach for middle-class buyers.

"But I just decided I had to (buy one), because of gas mileage," she said. "I'm averaging 45-50 mpg in the city and gotten it up to 60 mpg driving slowly."

The Prius had its biggest gain between 2004 and 2005, nearly doubling sales to $108 million.

It's similar to another hybrid leader, the Honda Civic, which gets 49-51 mpg, compared to 30-40 mpg in the normal gas Civic.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)