Automobiles are vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and fueled by combustible fuel such as gasoline. Some modern cars also use alternative fuels such as ethanol and electricity. Automobiles are usually driven by humans, but some are designed to carry passengers or cargo as well. A vehicle primarily devoted to transporting people is called a car, while one that is designed for hauling cargo is often called a truck, van, or bus.
The automobile has been a crucial invention for many countries around the world, and it has had significant economic, cultural, social, and technological impacts on society. It has allowed individuals to travel independently without relying on public transportation, and it has also helped them save money on taxi fees or other forms of hired transport. However, there are some negative aspects to automobiles, such as the effect on the environment, which includes air pollution and climate change, as well as the draining of the world’s natural resources.
Exactly who invented the automobile is a matter of debate. The earliest accounts usually give credit to Karl Benz of Germany, who created the first automobile using a four-stroke internal combustion engine in 1885 or 1886. But, Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France may have invented the automobile earlier, in 1884, when they installed a two-stroke internal combustion engine powered by a tank of gas on an old tricycle. During the first test drive, however, the tank hose broke, causing an explosion that destroyed the vehicle.