Automobiles, a four-wheeled passenger vehicle with an internal combustion engine that burns gasoline (also known as petrol), diesel fuel or kerosene and powers a crank to turn wheels, have been an integral part of the American way of life since the late 1800s. They have transformed society by enabling people to live farther from work and to take vacations by traveling in comfort. They also have prompted the construction of streets, highways and related infrastructure. They have stimulated participation in outdoor recreation and spawned new industries such as service stations, motels and roadside restaurants. They have ended rural isolation and brought urban services, such as schools, medical care and shopping, to small communities.
The automobile is a symbol of the promise and the pitfalls of modern life. The first cars, like this 1901 Mercedes, were expensive and impractical. But Ransom Olds’ one-cylinder, three-horsepower Oldsmobile (also called a “motor carriage”), powered by an internal combustion engine and using a tiller-steered, curved dash design that resembled the horse buggy, made motor vehicles affordable for middle class Americans. Ford’s mass production techniques revolutionized automobile manufacturing, and his Model T lowered prices until it was within the means of most Americans.
Today, most Americans can’t imagine life without an automobile. The industry supports countless businesses and is an important source of jobs, especially in urban areas. But automobiles have significant negative effects on the environment, primarily through energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts can be reduced through a variety of practices, including driving less and buying greener cars.