The history
of the automobile begins with the technological breakthroughs
that occurred in Europe during the early 1800's and continues
a century later with the pioneering efforts of American manufactures
to begin mass-producing cars. The world economic downturn
leading up to World War II led to consolidation in the fragmented
automobile manufacturing market, while in the Postwar period,
renewed economic growth, television advertising, and a expanding
road system accelerated sales for automobile producers in
many industrialized countries. Design, service, and speed
became trademarks of the successful companies, as evidence
by the every growing range of car models and the increasing
popularity of NASCAR racing in the United States.
However, as the industry matured, manufacturers had to reach
an accommodation with labor unions, increasing government
controls, and consumer expectations for annual changes in
product design. Trade conflicts led to Voluntary Export Restraints
(VERs) and new questions about the value of globalization.
The automobile, while providing greater personal freedom and
economic growth, also served as the basis for questioning
the value of technological progress. Scholars considered the
effects of urban sprawl (and the advantages of urban planning),
and the tradeoffs between economic growth, pollution, and
conservation. Subsequent industry mergers, the ongoing threat
of oil crises, and environmental degradation continues to
affect the automobile industry today. |
The Henney
Kilowatt, the first modern (transistor-controlled) electric
car.Increasing costs of oil-based fuels and tightening environmental
laws with the possibility of further restrictions on greenhouse
gas emissions are propelling work on alternative power systems
for automobiles.
Many diesel-powered cars can run with little or no modifications
on 100% pure biodiesel. The main benefit of Diesel combustion
engines is its 50% fuel burn efficiency compared with 23%
in the best gasoline engines. Most modern gasoline engines
are capable of running with up to 15% ethanol mixed into the
gasoline fuel - older vehicles may have seals and hoses that
could be harmed by ethanol. With a small amount of redesign,
gasoline-powered vehicles can run on ethanol concentrations
as high as 85%. 100% ethanol is used in some parts of the
world using vehicles that must be started on pure gasoline
and switched over to ethanol once the engine is running. Most
gasoline fuelled cars can also run on LPG with the addition
of an LPG tank for fuel storage and carburation modifications
to add an LPG mixer. LPG produces fewer toxic emissions and
is a popular fuel for fork lift trucks that have to operate
inside buildings.
The first electric cars were built in the late 1800s, prior
to combustion engine automobiles, nevertheless attempts at
building viable, modern battery-powered electric vehicle began
with the introduction of the first modern electric car. |
