An automobile is a vehicle that moves on four wheels and is one of our primary methods of transportation. Automobiles are also known as cars or vehicles. Trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUV), and minivans are different types of automobiles, and are sometimes referred to as cars, vehicles, or motor vehicles.
Automobiles are usually powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline or diesel fuel, or by one or more electric motors, using energy stored in one or more rechargeable batteries.
In Alaska, as in other states, automobiles are legally defined and regulated as motor vehicles. This encompasses a range of vehicle types including cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans, regardless of their power source, whether it be an internal combustion engine using gasoline or diesel, or electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries. State statutes and regulations cover various aspects of automobile use such as registration, safety standards, emissions, and insurance requirements. Additionally, federal laws apply to automobile standards, including the Clean Air Act which regulates emissions, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which sets safety standards. It's important for owners and operators of automobiles in Alaska to comply with both state and federal regulations to ensure legal operation of their vehicles on public roads.