In September, stock analysts announced that surging oil prices could increase bankruptcy rates in the trucking industry within the next year.

Right around the same time, Vice President and Democratic Presidential Candidate Al Gore called on President Clinton to tap the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in order to push down high fuel prices before winter arrives.

And the last time any of us stopped to fill up, we were reminded of the fact that, while the hype and public outrage surrounding gas prices may be slightly down from before, the price at the pump is not.

The recent events provide proof that regardless of attention or press coverage, the oil industry continues to add fuel to an already-raging consumer fire. In light of the current situation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 26th annual Miles Per Gallon Rankings for passenger vehicles. The rankings don't exactly spell relief for a population of drivers that still has to pay upwards of $2 per gallon each trip to the pump. But with no foreseeable end in sight, it's time to bone up on a little fuel economy data so you're better armed for future gas hikes.

The EPA provides fuel economy estimates for every vehicle in every class for a particular model year. According to EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner, choosing the most fuel- efficient vehicle in a class can save the consumer more than $1,500 in fuel costs per year. This is in addition to the fact that more fuel-efficient cars avoid emitting tons of the pollution that causes global warming. They also help reduce dependence on imported oil.

Rankings for 2001-model-year vehicles have the Honda Insight as the most fuel-efficient car, at 61 miles per gallon for city driving and 68 mpg on the freeway. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Ferrari 550 Maranello, whose city rating of 8 mpg and highway rating of 13 mpg make it the environment's worst nightmare on wheels.

This year marks the second straight year in which advanced hybrid technology vehicles rank the best in fuel efficiency, with the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius (52 mpg city and 45 mpg highway) holding the first and second spots, respectively. Advanced hybrid technology combines a small gasoline engine and a self-charging electric motor/generator.

In the midsize sedan category, the Honda Accord and Mazda 626 lead the pack. The Ford Focus heads up the midsize station wagons for best fuel economy, while the Oldsmobile Silhouette, Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana are the most fuel-efficient minivans. The best gas mileage among the SUVs goes to the Toyota RAV4, and for pickup trucks, the Chevrolet S10, GMC Sonoma and Isuzu Hombre. Mileage for all of the aforementioned vehicles ranges anywhere from 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway to 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

The following is a complete list of the best, and worst, fuel economy models for the 2001 year:

Manufacturer/Model, City/Highway

1. Honda Insight (electric hybrid), 61/68
2. Toyota Prius (electric hybrid), 52/45
3. Volkswagen Golf (diesel, manual), 42/49
3. Volkswagen Jetta (diesel, manual), 42/49
3. Volkswagen New Beetle (diesel, manual), 42/49
4. Honda Civic HX (manual), 36/44
5. Suzuki Swift, 36/42
6. Honda Civic HX (automatic), 35/40
7. Volkswagen Jetta (diesel, automatic), 34/45
7. Volkswagen Golf (diesel, automatic), 34/45
7. Volkswagen New Beetle (diesel, automatic), 34/45
8. Toyota Echo, 34/41
9. Chevrolet Prizm, 32/41
9. Toyota Corolla, 32/41
10. Honda Civic, 32/39

Manufacturer/Model, City/Highway

1. Ferrari 550 Maranello/Barchetta, 8/13
2. Lamborghini DB132/144 Diablo, 10/13
3. Ferrari 456 MGT/MGTA (automatic), 10/15
4. Ferrari 456 MGT/MGTA (manual), 10/16
5. GMC K1500 Sierra 4WD, 11/14
6. Bentley Continental R, 11/16
6. Bentley Arnage, 11/16
6. Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, 11/16
6. Ford F150 Natural Gas, 11/16
6. Bentley Azure, 11/16
6. Bentley Continental SC, 11/16
6. Bentley Continental T, 11/16
6. Rolls Royce Corniche, 11/16
6. Ferrari 360 Modena/Spider, 11/16
7. Dodge Viper Convertible, 11/21
7. Range Rover, 12/15
8. Dodge Ram Van 2500 2WD (CNG), 12/15
8. Ford E250 Natural Gas, 12/15
9. Rolls Royce Park Ward, 12/16
9. Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, 12/16
9. Lincoln Navigator 4WD, 12/16
9. GMC K1500 Yukon 4WD, 12/16
9. GMC K1500 Yukon XL 4WD, 12/16
9. Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 12/16
9. Dodge Ram Wagon 2500 (CNG), 12/16
9. Dodge Ram Wagon 2500, 12/16
10. Lincoln Navigator 2WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Durango 2WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Durango 4WD, 12/17
10. Ford Expedition 4WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Dakota Pickup 4WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Ram1500 Pickup 4WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Ram Van 1500 2WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Ram Van 2500 2WD, 12/17
10. Dodge Ram Wagon 2500 2WD, 12/17

For more information and details on vehicle fuel economy, visit www.fueleconomy.gov, a Web site maintained jointly by the EPA and Department of Energy.