In spite of the higher cost of hybrid cars, you see more of them on the road -- as consumers react to the latest gasoline shock a year ago when gas went above four dollars a gallon. Now, a group of researchers is trying to find out just how good a deal hybrids are -- especially with Vermont's long, cold winters.

This past summer the University of Vermont began a comprehensive study of hybrid cars. The Transportation Research Center converted a standard Toyota Camry into a hybrid -- powered by a combination of electric and gasoline. A second Camry was left intact.