It's unusually quiet behind the wheel of a hybrid car and until recently, sales of hybrids have also been quiet.

Video: Time To Get a Hybrid?

"We used to have a two or three month waiting list," said JP Bo at Pacific Honda. "Now we do have a pretty good selection."

They have a pretty good selection because while gas prices were down in the $2.30 - $2.40 range, there wasn't the motivation for drivers to "go hybrid." Now with current prices, hybrids are back in the spotlight.

"Any time the gas prices start to spike, you see a lot more people coming in, calling in, talking about and asking about the Prius," said Kevin Slater at Kearny Mesa Toyota.

Dealers at both Kearny Mesa Toyota and Pacific Honda expect hybrid sales to shoot up this spring and summer.

"I sold my first Honda Civic hybrid in several weeks just yesterday myself," said Bo.

With an estimated gas milage of a hybrid in the 50s and 60s, it's obvious why prices at the pump could lead to a welcome change at the car lot.

"You know we went through two years where people had a waiting list anywhere from 3 months to a year for the vehicle," said Slater. "Now, people can come in and drive off with it today."

Two other reasons hybrid sales have been down lately, there aren't the tax incentives there used to be for buying one and owners don't get stickers to drive in the carpool lane.

Experts believe higher gas prices will trump both of those excuses and by summer, there may be long waiting lists once again.