An automobile (or auto) is a road vehicle, usually four-wheeled, designed to run primarily on roads and commonly propelled by an internal combustion engine. Automobiles may also be propelled by other means such as a fuel cell or electric battery.
An Automobile is a complex technical system comprised of many sub-systems with specific design functions. These include body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, control systems and emission control systems. The components of an automobile may be made from a variety of materials and are manufactured using different processes.
The development of the automobile has been characterized by rapid innovation in both technology and manufacturing methods. In the United States, this industry dominated the economy for most of the twentieth century and provided one out of every six jobs.
There are many advantages to owning a car, including the ability to transport goods and passengers quickly and easily. However, cars also consume a lot of energy and produce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. This can cause global warming and air pollution.
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, drivers can choose to purchase a more fuel efficient model or keep their car well maintained. In addition, they can use public transportation if possible.
History of the automobile
The first vehicles with an internal combustion engine, fueled by gasoline, were built in the late 1860s. These early automobiles, which resembled horse carts, were developed by Siegfried Marcus in Vienna, Austria. His first vehicle, which he built in September of 1870, did not include any seats or brakes.
After a series of experiments, he developed a more advanced vehicle that included a two-stroke engine powered by city gas and a gear transmission. This vehicle, which was later patented, was tested in 1888 or 1889 and became the world’s first automobile to use an internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline.
Other innovations during this period include an independent suspension and a four-wheel brake, which helped the automobile become safer for driving. During the 1920s, the automobile began to be manufactured on an assembly line. The mass production of cars increased competition among manufacturers and influenced their designs.
Automobiles are a complex technical system that contains thousands of component parts that have evolved from breakthroughs in existing technology or from new technologies, such as electronic computers and high-strength plastics. The components of an automobile are subject to a great deal of scrutiny and have to satisfy standards of safety, size and weight, aerodynamics or ways to reduce the friction of airflow, and appearance.
In the United States, most vehicles use gasoline as their primary fuel. This is responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and has been linked to global warming, urban sprawl and rising prices. As a result, the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that transportation accounts for 27 percent of total greenhouse gases produced in the United States.
