Nissan unveiled a new sound dampening material at the 2020 CES trade show.

The material, according to Nissan, can help make car cabins quieter while also boosting energy efficiency.

The new material is made of a lattice structure with a plastic film that controls air vibrations to limit the transmission of wide frequency band noise, such as road and engine noise.

This material weighs one-fourth as much as the rubber board that that has been traditionally used as sound dampening material in vehicles while still providing the same degree of sound isolation, Nissan noted.

This new sound dampening material is also expected to fall inline or below the cost of the sound dampening material that is currently used in vehicle production.

Noise reduction is becoming an increasingly important feature in vehicles, as more electric vehicles that don’t produce engine noise are coming to market. These silent vehicles are creating a situation where drivers are more aware of outside noises, as the engine noise they’re typically used to while driving is eliminated.

Sound dampening is also a particularly important factor for fleet drivers, as many fleet drivers treat their vehicles as mobile offices where they conduct calls. Less noise entering the vehicle will ensure less distractions and outside noises entering the vehicle during these calls.

One additional advantage that this material is expected to bring is improved energy efficiency, as the lighter material will help make a vehicle lighter, which subsequently will help fuel efficiency.