Automobiles are cars, trucks, vans and other vehicles that are powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and used for transporting passengers and cargo. The first automobiles were designed and built in the late 19th century by inventors and engineers such as Karl Benz. Many of these early automobiles were powered by electricity, but later ones used an internal-combustion flat engine that burned fuel like gasoline or diesel oil and turned a crank to make the wheels move.
Today, many people use automobiles to get around. But some cities have laws that limit the number of automobiles in them, and traffic jams can be caused when too many automobiles try to go the same place at the same time. Automobiles also can cause pollution that harms the environment and makes it harder for humans to breathe.
The main parts of an automobile are the body, which encloses all the mechanical parts, and the chassis, which holds them together. The driver operates the car by pressing on pedals to make it go and stop, and turning a steering wheel to control where the vehicle goes.
Most automobiles are powered by an internal-combustion engine that uses fuel such as gasoline, diesel oil or kerosene to create combustion that drives a piston down into the cylinder and turns the wheels. Some of these engines can be operated with a electric motor as well. Some automobiles have a trunk, or rear storage space, for carrying luggage. The most popular type of automobile is the sedan, which has four doors and seats several passengers. Other types of automobiles include hatchbacks, station wagons and vans, which can carry cargo, and SUVs, which have both passenger and cargo spaces.