They are small, not particularly fast, but they sure don't guzzle gas.

With gas prices rising to about $4 in 2008, people all across the country are looking at ways to save money. And that could come from driving the approved motorized scooters. With the fuel consumption for most scooters at about 100 miles per gallon, they are an inexpensive alternative to driving cars.

Dale Vincent, sales manager at Cheap Cars in Mandan, said gas-powered scooters are becoming more popular than ever. "We doubled what we sold last year," he said. And he thinks the popularity should keep growing.

Glenn Jackson, director of motorized vehicles at the North Dakota Department of Transportation, said since 2005 there has been an increase in new registrations for motorized scooters. In 2006, there was a 71 percent increase over the number of registered scooters from 2005. Then in 2007, there was a 133 percent increase over 2006. And so far in 2008, there has been a 7 percent increase over the number of registered scooters at the same time in 2007, accord-ing to Jackson.

With their high gas mileage and easy accessibility; gas powered scooters, also known as mopeds, are becoming a must have for those who are just driving to and from work or need to run quick errands, according to Vincent.

Zech Sherman, 18, decided to purchase a scooter last summer, and now he said he's glad he bought it. Sherman rides a 1979 Honda Express II, which maxes out at about 27 mph.

He originally bought the scooter because it "looked cool."

"When I ride my scooter, no matter where I go, someone is always smiling and waving at me," said Sherman, of Mandan.

Scooters are measured by their cc, cubic centimeters, which is the metric measurement of volume in the cylinder of an engine.

With less than 50cc engine displacement, they don't require a motorcycle license, just a regular license. They aver-age maximum speed at about 35-40 mph. The higher level of engine displacement a scooter has, the faster it can go.

At Open Road Honda in Mandan, the highest level that is available is 600 cc, which is highway legal and can reach about 80 mph, said Dusty Caldwell with Open Road Honda.

"Scooters are a good thing for young teenagers who are of driving age, but not yet ready to drive a car," said Cald-well.

But these scooters aren't only appropriate for teenagers, Vincent said they're good for "anyone who holds a job."

There are many advantages that come from driving motorized scooters, said Caldwell. "Besides their high gas mile-age, scooters are small, easy to get on and easy to ride."

Sherman said he rides his scooter everywhere around town. "I only drive my car if I have to carry something big or pick someone up," he said.

Another advantage, according to Vincent, is that scooters are totally automatic. They don't require any gear change, which is one of the biggest differences when comparing them to motorcycles.

Just as it is for any motor vehicle, scooters also require rules for the road. Because driving a scooter includes having a driver's license, Vincent said the same rules apply on a scooter as any car, truck or motorcycle.

As the price of gas rises, Vincent said the popularity of scooters is on the rise. At Cheap Cars they have a good selection, but trying to replace parts can be difficult. "The demand for motorized scooters is increasing, and suppli-ers didn't anticipate the gas prices at what they are today," he said.

For an inexpensive way to drive around town, Vincent and Caldwell both recommend motorized scooters for people who are looking for ways to save money on gas.

"It costs me about $2 to fill my tank," Sherman said. "And that will last me about four days."