Are hybrid cars becoming the new status symbol?

With the high profile that protecting the environment is getting it was only a matter of time before the increased levels of technology and efficiency that a hybrid car can bring finds itself a moment in the limelight.

And it is certainly getting that attention at the moment. From seemingly nowhere hybrid cars are taking celebrities by storm, with the Toyota Prius, as driven by Hollywood A-Listers such as the likes of Will Ferrell, Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio, making it the Tinsletown car of choice.

Stars are desperate to be seen to be more than just a shallow, pretty face these days and something with as powerful a message as a hybrid car can go a long way in doing that for them. It helps send out the message that the owner cares about the environment they live in, that they are trying to make the world a better place. It is becoming a status symbol, and that can only help sales and the environment.

Ironically, most politicians have been a little slower than entertainers at adopting the green technology. For instance, in the United States, Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel drives a 2004 Cadillac Deville, which gets a modest 24 mpg; Republican Congressman Jim Saxton drives a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, which does a little better, at 28 mpg; while Democratic Congressman Bobby Rush drives a 2007 Lincoln Navigator, which gets a horrendous 15 mpg.

However, for the past couple of years, politicians have started coming around. In the UK, top British politicians are offered Prius hybrid hatchbacks as an alternative transportation to the traditional ministerial Jaguar. Meanwhile, in the United States, President George Bush has called hybrids a promising way of reducing gas consumption. Recently, Mr. Bush told an audience in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that hybrid vehicles have the potential of going twice as far as gas-only cars, on the same gallon of petrol.

With such A-Listers driving hybrid cars popularity and sales have taken off around the globe, with America setting the pace. Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek and Robin Williams all drive hybrids, and with such trend setters leading the way the world is following in their footsteps.

Whilst some may accuse these celebrities of 'jumping on the bandwagon' of hybrid cars, the message they send out to their fans is a useful one. That you are able to care for the environment, get better fuel economy rates and still be stylish at the same time.

Moreover, with the likes of Porsche and Mercedes due to be releasing hybrid cars this trend is only likely to continue. Hybrid cars really are becoming the new status symbol for the great and the good.