vehicle

A vehicle is a device for transporting people or goods from one place to another. Vehicles are designed to move and are powered by various energy sources, including internal combustion engines using fossil fuels, electric motors powered by batteries or overhead lines, steam engines, or muscular power in non-motorized forms. Vehicles are commonly categorized by the medium they travel on: land, water, air, or rail.

Land vehicles include cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles. They may be powered by internal combustion engines, electric motors, hybrids, or human power. Watercraft cover boats, ships, submarines, and personal watercraft, using engines or sails. Aircraft include airplanes, helicopters, and gliders, relying on aerodynamics and propulsion. Rail vehicles comprise trains, trams, and subways, typically using electric or diesel propulsion.

Historically, humans moved goods and people with animal-drawn carts, then adopted wheel-based transport, steam-powered machines, and later combustion engines. The 20th century saw rapid motorization and the rise of automobiles as a dominant land vehicle category; in recent decades, electrification, automation, and lightweight materials have driven ongoing innovation. Key considerations in vehicle design include safety, efficiency, performance, cost, and environmental impact. Regulation governs safety standards, emissions, licensing, and road access. Vehicles play a central role in logistics, commerce, and daily life, while also posing challenges related to energy use, congestion, and space in urban environments.