Hemp mobile a possibility to replace metal car bodies

Australian researchers believe that within a decade cars could be made of hemp as dumps overflow with rusty metal hulks and vehicle-makers turn to biodegradable materials for car bodies.

Alan Crosky, of the University of New South Wales, says hemp - the cannabis plant - is the most viable material, beating coconuts and banana trees in preliminary studies.

Crosky has begun researching hemp to find ways of making sure it does not become brittle and can protect passengers in an accident.

He said hemp was like fibreglass but was a natural product. "It's renewable and you don't have to put as much energy into making it."