An in-depth study completed by the U.S. Sandia National Laboratories with collaboration from General Motors indicates the United States could create enough ethanol to replace a third of all gasoline used in the country by 2030.

Although the research at first sounds promising, consumers would likely have to pay more for gasoline later down the road according to researchers.

The U.S. government has created a federal mandate requesting 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline by 2022, but the 90 billion gallon prediction by 2030 is the most aggressive prediction issued.

Technology has been rather slow to evolve to support biofuels and biofuel experts doubt that the industry can reach such an aggressive number by 2030.  Furthermore, the ethanol industry has been backpedaling as of late after several ethanol plants closed and the cost of gasoline has become more competitive.

GM plans to continue introducing more cars fueled by E85, the 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline blend that has slowly increased in popularity.

"Our auto industry is at a critical juncture, but we have to address major societal issues such as energy," GM VP of research and development Lawrence Burns said.  "We're placing a high priority on biofuels right now."

Other car manufacturers have also shown interest in using biofuels to help fuel future car models.

Once E85 becomes more popular among consumers, the government will need to create new standards to prevent low priced petroleum products from undercutting other fuel sources.

The natural average for gasoline was $1.93 on Tuesday, with the average one year ago around $2.95.  The cost of E85 ethanol closed Tuesday at $1.65 per gallon.

Even though ethanol has struggled in the past several months, many see it as the viable resource to help the U.S. drastically reduce its dependence on foreign oil.