People who buy a new car from Ford may have the added bonus up making an environmentally friendly choice without even realizing it.

Working alongside researchers at Ohio State University, officials with Ford say they are close to developing a new rubber-like substance from dandelions which could replace synthetic, petroleum-based rubbers, according to the New York Times.

The paper states the material could be used for car features such as cup holders, interior trim and floor mats, and may provide a green alternative to petroleum-based vehicle materials.

Philip Gott, managing director of IHS Automotive, an auto industry forecast center, told the newspaper the development of a rubber replacement, which is more eco-friendly, could be substantially positive for the environment.

“Far from ‘greenwashing,’ there has been a longstanding effort on the part of the industry to use natural plants to produce manufactured goods,” he told the paper, adding European auto manufacturers are also looking into creating and using the new material.

Ford has history of working with alternative materials

Since Henry Ford began the company, the paper states Ford has tested a variety of alternative products and materials to use in their vehicles, such as toy parts. Read more…