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 Massachusetts, automobiles, which include cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans, are subject to state statutes and federal laws that regulate their operation, registration, safety standards, and environmental impact. All motor vehicles operated on Massachusetts roads must be registered with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), insured, and undergo periodic safety and emissions inspections. The state enforces laws that require seat belt use and prohibit texting while driving. Additionally, Massachusetts has adopted California's stringent vehicle emissions standards to reduce air pollution, which apply to new vehicles sold in the state. These standards are more rigorous than federal requirements and include provisions for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), such as electric cars. The Commonwealth also offers incentives for the purchase and use of electric and hybrid vehicles to encourage the transition to cleaner transportation options.