It is a motor vehicle that can be driven by itself and is designed for land-based passenger transport. It is usually four-wheeled and has an internal engine that’s fueled by gasoline or petroleum. It is a universal technology produced by the largest industry in the world. In 2017, more than 73 million new automobiles were manufactured worldwide.
The science and technology that built the automobile date back hundreds of years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens developed a type of internal combustion powered by gunpowder. By the end of the 19th century, the “horseless wagon” had evolved into its modern form. At the time, it was not known which of three fuels would be most successful commercially: gasoline, electric power, or steam. Steam-powered cars could reach high speeds, but they had a limited range and were difficult to start. In 1900, battery-powered electric vehicles accounted for 38 percent of the United States’ automobile market. However, they had a short range and were difficult to recharge.
The gasoline-powered car won the competition. By 1920, the gasoline-powered automobile had swept the streets of Europe and America. Henry Ford, the American carmaker, revolutionized industrial production with his manufacturing methods. Ford was the pioneer in introducing assembly lines into its factories in order to increase production. Ford’s Model T became more affordable to middle-class families with the help of such techniques. The 20th century saw the modern world become increasingly difficult to imagine, or at least very inconvenient without a car. The average American drives more than three trillion miles (4.8 trillion kilometers) per year.
This fundamental element of the industrial and consumer societies has played a significant role in destabilizing Earth’s atmosphere on which all life depends. In a year, the average automobile emits CO2 as well as other greenhouse gases. Each gallon of gas used to run a vehicle emits about 9.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In 2017, the transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, trains, and aircraft, was the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that air pollution from automobile exhaust and car accidents are also major problems. In 2016, the United States lost more than 100 lives per day due to traffic accidents.
