Automobiles are vehicles that move people and their possessions from place to place. They can be fast and convenient when compared to walking or riding bicycles, but they can also be expensive. They can be a good way to travel long distances when public transport is not convenient, or where it is difficult for other wheeled transportation like buses, trains and trams to reach.

The most common type of automobiles are those that run on fuel, such as gasoline or diesel. The fuel is exploded inside an engine, which then pushes the piston down and turns the wheels. Electric motors work the same way, except they use electricity instead of fuel to make them run.

Vehicles that run on electricity can go faster than those that use fuel but they have a limited range and are inconvenient to start. Steam-powered cars were first made in the late 18th century but they were heavy and slow.

Some electric automobiles can run for a long time on only small amounts of electricity. These are called hybrid cars. They usually have batteries that charge when they are turned on, and the batteries can be plugged in to a charging station to get more energy.

They are faster than walking or cycling if you are going long distances, and they can carry large loads of luggage. They can also be a good way to go if there is traffic congestion.

Cars can be safer than walking or cycling if they are properly built and have safety features. These can include brakes that stop the vehicle quickly if it is in an accident or a system that stops the car when you are parked.