Automobiles are motor vehicles for transporting people and cargo. They can have seating for as few as four or five people, but larger passenger cars are often called limousines or minivans. Vehicles devoted to the transport of cargo are called trucks, vans, or buses. The automobile has become a central part of modern life. Almost every family in the United States owns one. People travel more than three trillion miles (five trillion kilometres) in them each year. There are 1.4 billion passenger cars in use worldwide.
The first benefit of automobiles is freedom and independence. People can travel when they want and where they want without worrying about missing a bus or train ride. If they do miss the bus, they can still get to where they need to go by taking a taxi or walking.
When the automobile was invented in the early 20th century, more middle-class families could afford to buy them. This allowed them to have more leisure time and to spend their money on things they wanted to do. They could escape to the countryside or visit urban areas. The new transportation also helped the economy because industries and services grew to provide goods for people who wanted to drive.
The word automobile is derived from ancient Greek autos (self) + mobile (moving). The automobile was originally powered by coal or wood, but it later became fueled by petroleum and gasoline. Its impact on society was great. As the United States used more and more of its own oil, the demand for petroleum products increased. This caused high prices and long lines at gas stations. To lower the cost and limit environmental damage, automakers developed cars that consumed less gasoline.