An automobile, commonly known as a car, is a motor vehicle equipped with wheels. Cars are typically designed to operate on roads, accommodate one to eight passengers, have four wheels, and primarily transport people rather than goods. The journey of cars traces back to the invention of the first steam-powered road vehicle by French inventor Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769 and the creation of the first internal combustion-powered automobile by Swiss inventor François Isaac de Rivaz in 1808.

The birth of the practical and marketable everyday-use car occurred in 1886 when German inventor Carl Benz patented his Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Commercial availability of cars expanded significantly in the 20th century, with the 1908 Model T, produced by the American Ford Motor Company, being one of the earliest affordable cars for the general public. Cars swiftly gained popularity in the United States, gradually replacing horse-drawn carriages. In contrast, Europe and other regions experienced a surge in demand for automobiles post-World War II, recognizing cars as a vital component of developed economies.

Cars are equipped with controls for driving, parking, passenger comfort, and various lighting systems. Over time, vehicles have evolved with the incorporation of additional features, such as rear-reversing cameras, air conditioning, navigation systems, and in-car entertainment. The majority of cars in use as of the early 2020s are propelled by internal combustion engines, utilizing fossil fuels. Electric cars, introduced earlier in automotive history, became commercially viable in the 2000s and are anticipated to become more cost-effective than petrol-driven cars by 2025. The global shift from fossil fuel-powered cars to electric ones plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation, aligning with initiatives like Project Drawdown’s 100 actionable solutions for climate change.