Automobiles, formerly known as motorcars or motor vehicles, are four-wheeled, self-propelled passenger vehicles with an internal combustion engine powered by liquid petroleum fuel, most commonly gasoline (petrol), which is burned to produce mechanical energy that drives the wheels. The automobile has become one of the most universal of modern inventions and one of the largest industries in the world, with an estimated 59 million cars produced each year.
Few inventions have had such a profound impact on the way human beings live and work. The automobile has revolutionized transportation and reshaped entire societies, making it possible for individuals to travel at will over long distances. Cities and towns have been redesigned around the automobile’s ability to move people, while industries have been organized around the flexibility of distribution made possible by trucks and other means of transport. Almost every aspect of society has been affected by the automobile, from the design of our streets and highways to police, fire, and utility services to personal uses such as vacation travel and shopping.
The automobile arose in the late nineteenth century from an essentially horse-drawn carriage with the horse replaced by an engine. In the United States, where a large land area encouraged widespread settlement and cheap raw materials allowed for economical production, automobiles became a major industry very quickly. By the early twentieth century, American manufacturers were able to introduce mass production techniques that enabled the manufacture of automobiles at prices affordable for middle-class families.
In the United States, the automobile was an icon of national pride. Henry Ford, for example, was credited with democratizing the automobile with his introduction of the moving assembly line in 1908 at the Highland Park plant in Michigan. His Model T runabout, which cost $575 in 1912—less than the average annual wage of the time—brought car ownership within reach for millions of American families.
While the advantages of automobiles are many, they also come with some disadvantages. Pros: They can provide a great deal of freedom by providing the ability to go where you want, when you want, without having to rely on schedules or public transportation. Cons: Automobiles can be a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially when they are driven in urban areas with narrow streets and heavy traffic congestion. In addition, they can be expensive to own and maintain, and can cause a lot of pollution and damage to the environment.
Whether or not to own a car is a personal decision. It depends on a number of factors, including your lifestyle, financial situation, and the availability of public transportation. If you live in an area with frequent, reliable public transportation, it may be more financially and environmentally responsible to use a bus or train than to own your own car. If you do own a vehicle, there are several steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact, such as driving less and using a hybrid or electric car.