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Article
Automobile
Article By:
Anglin, Donald L. Consultant, Automotive and Technical Writing, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Last reviewed:April 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.063700
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A self-propelled land vehicle, usually having four wheels and an internal combustion engine, used primarily for personal transportation; also known as a car. Other types of motor vehicles include buses, which carry large numbers of commercial passengers, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which carry heavy or bulky loads of freight or other goods and materials. Most automobiles, and those discussed here, are powered by internal combustion engines (Fig. 1). However, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel-cell vehicles, which make up only a fraction of the automobiles on the road, are becoming more common. See also: Electric vehicle; Fuel cells for automobiles; Hybrid automotive power systems
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