Automobiles are very complicated machines and all of the systems have to work together for a car to operate properly. Each car has an engine, chassis, bodywork, control system and electrical equipment. The engine burns a fuel to produce the power that turns the wheels and also provides electricity for the lights. The chassis is what holds all of the mechanical parts and the bodywork is what covers the car, including the front, hood, trunk and doors. The body can be made of a variety of materials, but most cars are made from steel. The body can be shaped like a sedan (four doors), coupe (two doors) or minivan (tall with up to three rows and 8 or 9 seats). An SUV is a rugged automobile that combines the towing capacity of a truck with the passenger-carrying space of a sedan.
Many people have jobs that require them to commute to work in a car. This makes cars an important part of the economy. Millions of people around the world are employed in factories that make cars. Others work at restaurants or motels that serve travelers who stop to rest after a long drive.
The automobile revolutionized society in many ways. People had more leisure time and could travel to new places. This was especially true for the middle classes in America who could afford to buy cars. Women were able to drive their own cars which allowed them to participate in many activities that had previously been only for men. For example, in 1916 two women — Nell Richardson and Alice Burke — drove across the country to promote the idea of voting rights for women. They drove their car decorated with banners saying “vote for women”.
Automobiles have caused harm to the environment. The exhaust from the gas-burning engines pollutes the air. And the destruction of forests for roads and parking lots has led to deforestation. In addition, automobile accidents result in injuries and deaths.
Today there are more than 1.4 billion cars in operation worldwide. They consume more than five trillion gallons of oil every year. This is a huge waste of a natural resource. To reduce the use of oil in cars, people started using hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles that run on both gas and electric power. Other technologies include solar panels to generate energy and batteries that store energy. Some countries are even planning to use hydrogen fuel cells that produce electricity from water. The future of the automobile is uncertain, but it will continue to be a major source of transportation for millions of people. Those who don’t have access to an automobile depend on public transportation, which can be slow and unpredictable. Having your own car gives you more freedom to plan your own schedule and to spend time with family. A car is a great way to get to work, school and other important events on time. This is a very important benefit of automobile ownership that many people overlook.