Going to the local gas station pump may soon take a little more effort. Instead of wondering whether to use regular or premium, E-85 or biodiesel may be an option.

E-85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, which allows for a reduction in gas mileage of only 5 to 12 percent, while keeping the cost down, said Michelle Kautz, press secretary for the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition in a press release.

In DeKalb, E-85 is not only available, it is becoming increasingly popular.

Hintzsche Oil, 880 Peace Road, provides E-85 for less than $2, which is beneath the price of traditional gasoline, said Reid Elliot, manager of Hintzsche Oil.

“The price does fluctuate by season, costing more in the winter than in the summer, but the number of people fueling with E-85 has been increasing dramatically,” Elliot said.

In order to use E-85, a vehicle must be compatible.

Another newer fuel, which is available at many gas stations nationwide, is biodiesel.

Biodiesel is a biodegradable non-toxic diesel equivalent usually made of vegetable oils or animal fat, said Jenna Higgins, director of communications at the National Biodiesel Board.

Today, B20 is the most common form of biodiesel, which contains about 20 percent biodiesel. It costs relatively the same as regular diesel and gets the same gas mileage, she said.

Most mixtures of biodiesel can be used with standard diesel engines, but if a vehicle has natural rubber hoses, do not use B100 — 100 percent biodiesel — until the hoses are replaced, Higgins said.

Poor crop harvest and crop shortages can cause a price increase for E-85 and biodiesel. However, genetic engineering can offer a solution by providing a way to develop crops that are better suited for fuel production.

Genetic manipulation can make crops more insect resistant, produce more starch for ethanol production, make the cellulose conversion process easier and increase the size of the corn, said Mitrick Johns, NIU associate professor of biological sciences.

There are some concerns about manipulating genetic data, side effects and protecting the surrounding environment.

Whenever genetic manipulation is involved, the value of the food goes down and there is the fear of contaminations, Johns said. When corn isn’t being used for consumption, however, genetic manipulation restrictions are less pervasive.