Automobiles (Emissions)

The automobile is one of the most significant inventions to have influenced the growth and development of societies and the trajectory of human civilization. The automobile provide humans with mobility, independence, and convenience. Also, it has liberated the [Page 44]average person from the limitations of time and place, opened up new opportunities, and offered new experiences. Moreover, it is one of the pivotal elements of our economy. The automobile also affects the environment in many ways. Cars and their associated infrastructure use resources, consume energy, and emit pollutants on a substantial scale. Mobile sources are among the largest contributor of certain air pollutants. This entry examines the history of engines, the impact of automobiles on human health and the environment, and the resultant societal policies ...