While that means fewer emissions and better gas mileage for drivers, it presents a new challenge for emergency personnel. They must adapt their rescue techniques to the new vehicles because they run the risk of being electrocuted.

To educate law enforcement agencies, Sunnyvale Toyota owner Adam Simms held a training workshop for Sunnyvale public safety officers and San Jose police officers. Simms says the Toyota Prius--a small hybrid car popular with commuters--makes up more than half the number of hybrid cars on the road.

Simms said that the training developed through a chance meeting with San Jose officers, who asked him to help them learn about the new hybrid technology.

"When there are more of these on the road than Camrys, these guys are going to need to know how to handle them," Simms said. The gas-powered Toyota Camry is one of the most widely purchased Toyota cars of the past 20 years.

The biggest difference between hybrid cars and traditional gasoline-only cars is the addition of an electric motor. Different hybrid vehicles run at different power levels. For example, older "first generation" Priuses run on just over 270 volts--about twice as much as the power from a typical wall socket--while the newer models run at 500 volts. The Toyota Highlander, a sport utility vehicle that runs on the same hybrid synergy drive, runs at around 650 volts.

"It's going to change the way we disable a vehicle," Sunnyvale officer Tim Macierz said. "And just as with anything new, until you become familiar with it, you have some concern."

The biggest change to rescue procedures is caused by the battery packs and their attached cables. Because the car can run without the gasoline motor, it can be in the "ready" position with very little sound or vibration. Ready position means the car is running off electricity stored in the battery packs. If rescuers were to cut through the vehicle--to extract people or move it from a crash site--they run a risk of electrocution if they hit the battery or the wires.

Macierz said that aside from familiarizing himself and the rest of the department with the vehicles, there's isn't a heavy concern about the safety of the vehicles. The orange power cable on the Prius is set about 18 inches in on the driver's side of car and runs directly down the center of the Highlanders. Because of that, rescuers will still be able to cut into a vehicle if they need to extract someone. The biggest challenge is making sure the car is powered down.

In addition to turning the ignition off, some cars require drivers to press a button to turn the battery off, which could present a problem for rescue crews. But in the event of an accident, the battery automatically shuts off if the car's airbags are deployed.

Macierz said that he has yet to see a hybrid vehicle in an accident, and has not heard of any officers being electrocuted.

The hybrid engine and motor work together for better fuel use during a typical drive. For light acceleration at low speeds, the car runs off the electric motor, with the gasoline engine shut off. But when the car reaches normal driving speed, the gasoline engine takes over and powers the car. The engine also recharges the battery that runs the electric motor. If the car is going uphill or accelerating heavily, it runs on both the engine and the motor.

Whenever the car brakes or decelerates, the energy from the front wheels is used to recharge the battery.

Having dual-power sources means the car can more efficiently use its gasoline power. With gas prices climbing again, Simms said he expects to see hybrid sales continue to rise.

According to Simms, Toyota Sunnyvale sold 200 hybrids in 2004 and triple that number last year.

Simms said he expects to begin holding these training workshops on a semi-regular basis to educate as many officers as possible. His dealership also holds training workshops for hybrid owners to familiarize them with their vehicles. He said that customers often know the most about the cars because they have researched them before buying.

The next workshop for current or prospective hybrid owners is Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at Toyota Sunnyvale, 898 W. El Camino Real. For more information, call 408.245.6640.