wheels Designed to save lives. The most reliable car for family.
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.[3] The term motorcar has formerly also been
Weight
The weight of a car influences fuel consumption and performance, with more weight resulting in increased fuel consumption and decreased performance. According to a research conducted by Julian Allwood of the University of Cambridge, global energy use could be heavily reduced by using lighter cars, and an average weight of 500 kg has been said to be well achievable.[26] In some competitions such as the Shell Eco Marathon, average car weights of 45 kg have also been achieved.[27] [28] These cars are only singleseaters (still falling within the definition of a car, although 4-seater cars are more
used in the context of electrified rail systems to denote a car which functions as a small locomotive but also provides space for passengers and baggage. These locomotive cars were often used on suburban routes by both interurban and intercity railroad systems.[4] Cars are equipped with controls used for driving, parking, and passenger comfort
a n d safety. Modern cars’ controls are now standardised, but this was not always the case. Controls are evolving in response to new technologies, for example the electric car. Since the car was first invented, its controls have become fewer and simpler through automation, for example all cars once had a manual controls for the choke valve, clutch, ignition timing, and a crank
common), but it nevertheless demonstrates the huge degree in which car weights can still be reduced, and the subsequent lower fuel use (i.e. up to a fuel use of 2560 km/l).[29]
Seating style
and
Rapidly increasing oil prices, concerns about oil dependence, tightening environmental laws and restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions are propelling work on alternative power systems for automobiles. [30]
body
Most cars are designed to carry multiple occupants, often with four or five seats. Larger cars can often carry six, seven or more occupants depending in the internal arrange of seats. Sports cars are often designed with only two seats, and very occasionally three seats. The differing needs for passenger capacity and their luggage has resulted in a large variety
instead of an electric starter. However new controls have also been added to vehicles, making them more complex. Examples include air conditioning, navigation systems, and in car entertainment. Another trend is the replacement of physical knob and switches for secondary controls with touchscreen controls such as BMW’s iDrive and Ford’s MyFord Touch.
of body styles to suit personal requirements such as the sedan/ saloon, hatchback, station wagon/estate and MultiPurpose Vehicle/Minivan.
Fuel and propulsion technologies
The Nissan Leaf is an allelectric car launched See
also: Alternative fuel vehicle Most automobiles in use today are propelled by an internal combustion engine, fueled by deflagration of gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel. Both fuels are known to cause air pollution and are also blamed for contributing to climate change and global warming.
Efforts to improve or replace existing technologies include the development of hybrid vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles. Ve h i c l e s using alternative fuels such as ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles and natural gas vehicles are also gaining popularity in some countries. Oil consumption in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries has been abundantly
pushed by automobile growth; the 1985–2003 oil glut even fuelled the sales of low economy vehicles in OECD countries. The BRIC countries might also kick in, as China briefly was the first automobile market in December 2009.[31]
Safety
Main articles: Car safety, Automobile accident, Low speed vehicle and Epidemiology of motor vehicle collisions Result of a serious automobile accident Road traffic injuries represent the leading cause in worldwide injury-related deaths.[32] Mary Ward became one of the first documented automobile
2 wheels Designed to save lives. The most reliable car for family.
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a
with four or five seats. Larger cars can often carry six,
New York City.[34] There are now standard tests for safety
wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers,
seven or more occupants depending in the internal
in new automobiles, like the EuroNCAP and the US
which also carries its own engine or motor. Most
arrange of seats. Sports cars are often designed with only
NCAP tests,[35] and insurance industry-backed tests by
definitions of the term specify that automobiles are
two seats, and very occasionally three seats. The
theInsurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[36]
designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for
differing needs for passenger capacity and their luggage
Worldwide, road traffic is becoming ever safer, in part do
one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to
has resulted in a large variety of body styles to suit
to efforts by the government to implement safety features
be constructed principally for the transport of people
personal
in cars, and by implementing safety components such
rather than goods.[3]
saloon, hatchback, station wagon/estate and Multi-
The year 1886 is regarded the year of birth of the modern
Purpose Vehicle/Minivan.
automobile - with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, by
The term motorcar has formerly also been used in the
Fuel and propulsion technologies
context of electrified rail systems to denote a car which
The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric car launched in
German inventor Karl Benz. Motorized wagons soon replaced animal-drafted carriages, especially after automobiles became affordable for many people when the Ford Model T was introduced in 1908.
functions as a small locomotive but also provides space for passengers and baggage. These locomotive cars were often used on suburban routes by both interurban and intercity railroad systems.[4] It was estimated in 2010 that the number of automobiles had risen to over 1 billion vehicles, up from the 500 million of 1986.[5] The numbers are increasing rapidly, especially in China, India and other NICs.[6] Cars are equipped with controls used for driving, parking, and passenger comfort and safety. Modern cars’ controls are now standardised, but this was not always the case. Controls are evolving in response to new technologies, for example the electric car. Since the car was first invented, its controls have become fewer and simpler through automation, for example all cars once had a manual controls for the choke valve, clutch, ignition timing, and a crank instead of an electric starter. However new controls have also been added to vehicles, making them more complex. Examples include air conditioning, navigation systems, and in car entertainment. Another trend is the replacement of physical knob and switches for secondary controls
with
touchscreen
controls
such
as BMW’s iDrive and Ford’s MyFord Touch.
requirements
such
as
the sedan/
Costs and benefits
Main articles: Economics of automobile usage, Automobile costs and Effects of the automobile on societies The costs of automobile usage, which may include the cost of: acquiring the vehicle, repairs and auto maintenance, fuel, depreciation, driving time, parking fees, taxes, and insurance,[37] are
as speed bumps on the roads themselves.
weighed against the cost of the alternatives, and the value of the benefits – perceived and real – of vehicle usage. The benefits may include
on-demand
transportation,
Similarly the costs to society encompassing
automobile use, which
See also: Alternative fuel vehicle
may
Most automobiles in use today are propelled by combustion
and
convenience.[12] of
internal
mobility,
independence
December 2010
an
energy use and pollution.[41] In the United States
engine,
include
of:
fueled
those
maintaining
by deflagration of gasoline (also known as petrol)
roads,
land
or diesel. Both fuels are known to cause air
pollution,
use, public
pollution and are also blamed for contributing
health, health care,
to climate change and global warming.[30] Rapidly
and of disposing of
increasing oil prices, concerns about oil
the vehicle at the
dependence, tightening environmental laws and
end of its life, can be
restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions are
balanced against the value of the benefits to
propelling work on alternative power systems for
society
automobiles. Efforts to improve or replace existing
technologies
include
that
automobile
use
generates. The societal benefits may
the
include: economy benefits, such as job and wealth
development of hybrid vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles.
creation, of automobile production and maintenance,
Vehicles using alternative fuels such
transportation provision, society wellbeing derived
as
flexible-fuel
from leisure and travel opportunities, and revenue
vehicles and natural gas vehicles are
generation from the tax opportunities. The ability for
also
humans to move flexibly from place to place has far
ethanol gaining
popularity
in
some
countries.
reaching implications for the nature of societies.[38]
Oil consumption in the twentieth and
Environmental impact
Weight
twenty-first centuries has been
The weight of a car influences fuel consumption and
growth;
performance, with more weight resulting in increased fuel
glut even fuelled the sales of low
consumption and decreased performance. According to a
economy
research conducted by Julian Allwood of the University of
in
Cambridge, global energy use could be heavily reduced
The BRIC countries might also kick in,
by using lighter cars, and an average weight of 500 kg
as China briefly was the first automobile market in
has been said to be well achievable.[26]
December 2009.[31]
gasoline. The average vehicle running on diesel fuel will
Safety
governments are using fiscal policies (such as road
abundantly pushed by automobile
In some competitions such as the Shell Eco Marathon, average car weights of 45 kg have also been achieved.
[27]
the 1985–2003
oil
OECD
While there are different types of fuel that may power cars, most rely on gasoline or diesel. The United States
countries.
Environmental Protection Agency states that the average vehicle emits 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide per gallon of emit 10,180 grams of carbon dioxide.[39] Many
Main articles: Car safety, Automobile accident, Low
tax or the US gas guzzler tax) to influence vehicle
speed vehicle and Epidemiology of motor vehicle
purchase
common), but it nevertheless demonstrates the huge
collisions
2
degree in which car weights can still be reduced, and the
Result of a serious automobile accident
These cars are only single-seaters (still falling within
[28]
the definition of a car, although 4-seater cars are more
subsequent lower fuel use (i.e. up to a fuel use of 2560 km/l).[29]
Seating and body style See also: Car body style
Most cars are designed to carry multiple occupants, often
injury-related
deaths. [32]
with
a
low
CO
figure often resulting in reduced taxation.[40] Fuel
taxes may act as an incentive for the production of more
Road traffic injuries represent the leading cause in worldwide
decisions,
Mary
Ward became one of the first documented automobile fatalities in 1869 in Parsonstown, Ireland[33] and Henry Bliss one of the United States’ first pedestrian automobile casualties in 1899 in
have been debated regularly, passenger car standards have not risen above the 27.5 miles per US gallon (8.6 L/100 km; 33.0 mpg-imp) standard set in 1985. Light truck standards have changed more frequently, and were
set at 22.2 miles per US gallon (10.6 L/100 km; 26.7 mpgimp
) in 2007.[42]
The manufacture of vehicles is resource intensive, and many manufacturers now report on the environmental performance of their factories, including energy usage, waste and water consumption.[43]
The growth in popularity of the car allowed cities to sprawl, therefore encouraging more travel by car resulting in inactivity and obesity, which in turn can lead to increased risk of a variety of diseases.[44][dead link] Transportation (of all types including trucks, buses and cars) is a major contributor to air pollution in most industrialised nations. According to the American Surface
Transportation Policy Project nearly half of all Americans are breathing unhealthy air. Their study showed air quality in dozens of metropolitan areas has worsened over the last decade.[45] Animals and plants are often negatively impacted by automobiles via habitat destruction and pollution. Over the lifetime of the average automobile the “loss of habitat potential”
may
be
over
50,000
square
meters
(540,000 sq ft) based on primary productioncorrelations. [46]
Animals are also killed every year on roads by
automobiles, referred to as Roadkill. More recent road
developments are including significant environmental mitigations in their designs such as green bridges to allow wildlife crossings, and creatingwildlife corridors. Growth in the popularity of vehicles and commuting has
led to traffic congestion. Brussels was considered
Europe’s most congested city in 2011 according to TomTom.[47]
Future technologies
car
Automobile propulsion technology under development
See also: Automobile emissions
vehicles
Congress, federally mandated fuel efficiency standards
efficient, hence less polluting, car designs (e.g. hybrid vehicles) and the development of alternative fuels. High fuel taxes may provide a strong incentive for consumers to purchase lighter, smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, or to not drive. On average, today’s automobiles are about 75 percent recyclable, and using recycled steel helps reduce
include gasoline/electric and plug-in hybrids, battery electric
vehicles, hydrogen
cars, biofuels,
and
various alternative fuels. Research into future alternative forms of power include the development of fuel cells,Homogeneous
Charge
Compression
Ignition
(HCCI), Stirling engines,[48] and even using the stored energy of compressed air or liquid nitrogen.
New materials which may replace steel car bodies include duraluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and carbon nanotubes. Telematics technology is allowing more and more people to share cars, on a pay-as-you-go basis, through car share and carpool schemes.
Communication is also evolving due to connected car systems.
Autonomous car Main article: Autonomous car
WHEELS
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a
Controls are evolving in response
vehicles.
Ve h i c l e s
Worldwide, road traffic is becoming ever safer,
wheeled
used
to new technologies, for example
using alternative fuels such
in part do to efforts by the government to
for transporting passengers, which also carries
the electric car. Since the car
as
implement safety features in cars, and by
its own engine or motor. Most definitions of the
was first invented, its controls
vehicles and natural
term specify that automobiles are designed to
have become fewer and simpler
vehicles are
run primarily on roads, to have seating for one
through automation, for example
popularity in some countries.
to eight people, to typically have four wheels,
all cars once had a manual
Oil consumption in the twentieth
and to be constructed principally for the
controls for the choke valve,
and twenty-first centuries has
transport of people rather than goods.[3]
clutch, ignition timing, and a crank
The year 1886 is regarded the year of birth of
instead of an electric starter. However new
the modern automobile - with the Benz Patent-
controls have also been added to vehicles,
Motorwagen, by German inventor Karl Benz.
making
Motorized wagons soon replaced animal-
include air conditioning, navigation systems,
drafted carriages, especially after automobiles
and in car entertainment. Another trend is the
became affordable for many people when
replacement of physical knob and switches for
the Ford Model T was introduced in 1908.
secondary controls with touchscreen controls
The term motorcar has formerly also been used
such as BMW’s iDrive and Ford’s MyFord
in the context of electrified rail systems to
Touch.
motor
vehicle
denote a car which functions as a small locomotive but also provides space for passengers and baggage. These locomotive
them
more
complex.
Examples
Weight
The weight of a car influences fuel consumption
cars were often used on suburban routes by
and performance, with more weight resulting in
both interurban and intercity railroad systems.[4]
increased fuel consumption and decreased
It was estimated in 2010 that the number of
performance.
automobiles had risen to over 1 billion vehicles,
conducted by Julian Allwood of the University
up from the 500 million of 1986.[5] The numbers
of Cambridge, global energy use could be
are
heavily reduced by using lighter cars, and an
increasing
rapidly,
especially
According
to
a
research
in China, India and other NICs.[6]
average weight of 500 kg has been said to be
Cars are equipped with controls used for
well achievable.[26]
driving, parking, and passenger comfort and
In some competitions such as the Shell Eco
safety.
now
Marathon, average car weights of 45 kg have
standardised, but this was not always the case.
also been achieved.[27][28] These cars are only
Modern
cars’
controls
are
s i n g l e seaters (still falling within the definition of a car, although 4-seater cars are more common), but it nevertheless demonstrates the huge degree in which car weights can still be reduced, and the subsequent lower fuel use (i.e. up to a fuel use of 2560 km/l).[29]
Seating and body style See also: Car body style
Most cars are designed to carry multiple occupants, often with four or five seats. Larger cars can often carry six, seven or more occupants depending in the internal arrange of seats. Sports cars are often designed with only two seats, and very occasionally three seats. The differing needs for passenger capacity and their luggage has resulted in a large variety of body styles to suit personal requirements such as the sedan/saloon, hatchback, station wagon/estate and Multi-Purpose Vehicle/ Minivan.
been
Fuel and propulsion technologies
automobile
The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric car launched in December 2010
Most automobiles in use today are propelled by an internal
combustion
engine,
fueled
by deflagration of gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel. Both fuels are known to cause air pollution and are also blamed for contributing to climate change and global warming. [30]
Rapidly increasing oil prices, concerns
about oil dependence, tightening environmental laws
and
restrictions
gas emissions
are
on greenhouse
propelling
work
on
alternative power systems for automobiles. Efforts
to
improve
or
replace
existing
technologies include the development of hybrid vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen
flexible-fuel also
gaining
implementing
safety
components
such
as speed bumps on the roads themselves.
Costs and benefits Main
articles: Economics
of
automobile
pushed
by
usage, Automobile costs and Effects of the
the 1985–2003
oil
automobile on societies
abundantly
growth;
gas
glut even fuelled the sales of low economy
The costs of automobile usage, which may
vehicles in OECD countries. The BRIC countries
include the cost of: acquiring the vehicle,
might also kick in, as China briefly was the first
repairs
automobile market in December 2009.[31]
fuel, depreciation, driving time, parking fees,
Safety
taxes, and insurance,[37] are weighed against
and auto
maintenance,
the cost of the alternatives, and the value of the safety, Automobile
benefits – perceived and real – of vehicle
accident, Low speed vehicle and Epidemiology
usage. The benefits may include on-demand
of motor vehicle collisions
transportation, mobility, independence and
Main
See also: Alternative fuel vehicle
ethanol
articles: Car
Result of a serious automobile accident
Road traffic injuries represent the leading cause in worldwide injury-related deaths. [32]
Mary Ward became one of the first
documented automobile fatalities in 1869 in Parsonstown, Ireland and Henry Bliss one [33]
of the United States’ first pedestrian automobile casualties in 1899 in New York City.[34] There are now standard tests for safety in new automobiles, like the EuroNCAP and the US NCAP tests, and insurance industry-backed [35]
tests by theInsurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[36]
convenience.[12] Similarly the costs to society of encompassing
automobile use, which may include those of: maintaining roads, land use, pollution, public health, health care, and of disposing of the vehicle at the end of its life, can be balanced against the value of the benefits to society that
automobile use generates. The societal benefits may include: economy benefits, such as job and wealth creation, of automobile production and maintenance, transportation
provision, society wellbeing derived from leisure and travel opportunities, and revenue