Automobiles are the cars, trucks, and other vehicles that people drive for personal transportation. They are usually powered by an internal combustion engine that uses a volatile fuel like gasoline, diesel or kerosene. There are also some electric automobiles that use electricity instead of a chemical fuel. The basic components of an automobile include the chassis, engine, transmission system, and electrical system. Other parts are control systems and auxiliaries.
The automobile changed society by giving people access to jobs, places to live, and leisure activities. It also opened up new jobs in automobile manufacturing and other industries that provided fuel and service for automobiles.
One of the biggest changes that came from automobiles was the ability to travel long distances quickly and easily. This allowed people to work in one town or city and live in another, and it gave them more options when it comes to finding jobs and establishing relationships with coworkers and family members.
The automobile has brought some harm to the environment, such as air pollution and the destruction of natural habitats. It has also encouraged sprawl, or straggling, low-density urban development that degrades landscapes and creates traffic congestion. Fortunately, some cities have public transport systems that are quicker and less expensive than automobiles. These systems are especially useful when a crisis arises, such as an unexpected illness or the death of a loved one. A car allows people to get to these emergencies as fast as possible.