Automobiles are powered by engines that burn fuel to provide the power to turn wheels and move. Most of them have seating for one driver and a small number of passengers. Vehicles with seats for more than five people are usually called buses, limousines, minivans or vans. A vehicle devoted to carrying cargo is often referred to as a truck or lorry. Some automobiles are hybrids, which use a combination of gasoline and electric power to run.
During the 1920s the automobile became a powerful force for change in America and around the world. It became the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society and provided a major source of jobs. It led to the development of better roads, transportation systems and ancillary industries like petroleum and rubber, as well as services such as gas stations. It also revolutionized the way people live, with many families moving out of cities to suburban neighborhoods where they could have their own houses surrounded by green grass lawns.
The word “automobile” is derived from the Ancient Greek autos (self) and French mobile (“moving”). Karl Benz developed the first modern automobile, which was powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline as fuel. His Benz Patent-Motorwagen was introduced in 1886. The automobile is now the most widely used mode of transportation worldwide, with about 1.4 billion cars in operation.
An important characteristic of the automobile is its ability to travel long distances quickly. It is a highly dependable and versatile means of transport that has enabled people to get to work, school, shopping and social events more easily than ever before. It has largely replaced horse-drawn carriages and trains as the preferred form of passenger transportation in the United States.
Some disadvantages of the automobile include its vulnerability to theft, its tendency to cause environmental damage and its reliance on fossil fuels. Automobiles produce pollution that causes health problems for people who breathe it in large amounts. In addition, traffic congestion can be caused by too many automobiles in a small area. There are ways to reduce the negative effects of automobiles, including public transportation, such as buses and trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered or monorail), trams and subways.
Although having a car can make it easier to save time and do more things, not everyone wants or needs an automobile. People who do not own a car can find other ways to get around, such as riding with friends or taking a bus. However, people who do have an automobile can take advantage of its convenience to travel anywhere and at anytime. The automobile has become the symbol of freedom in American culture, and having a car can allow you to avoid the hassle of checking bus schedules or waiting for a ride-sharing service.