An automobile is a vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine to drive wheels and generate electricity. It also has systems to steer, control and make it comfortable for the passengers.
The invention of the automobile revolutionized human mobility and created new industries and services. For example, people could now travel long distances to work, to visit family and friends, and to enjoy leisure activities. Automobiles also brought new problems. Accidents caused by driving and the pollution from their engines led to the need for laws and rules about how they should be driven and where they could go. The automotive industry produced millions of jobs. Many people worked in factories making and repairing cars, while others ran gas stations, hotels and restaurants for travelers.
Most automobiles use gasoline as fuel, which releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Those emissions can be reduced by using more efficient engines, driving less, and keeping the car well maintained.
Automobiles must have energy to move, either chemical (gasoline) or electrical (battery power). The more energy that the motor can send to the wheels, the faster it can move. The energy in a car’s engine or battery is measured in kilowatts or horsepower. Cars are complex machines, and their design is continually changing. Research and development engineers strive to improve the body, chassis, engine, drive system, control systems, and safety and emission-control systems. They also develop new body styles, such as SUVs and minivans.