Types of Vehicles
Different types of vehicles help us to facilitate varieties of daily tasks. To carry heavy goods from one place to another place we use four to six wheelers. For water communication, we use boats and vessels. During a medical emergency, we use ambulances to carry patients to the hospitals.This concept is about the types of vehicles we use everyday.
After going through the concept, the learners will be able to:
- Analyse the difference between 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler vehicles.
- Understand what is the meaning of tricycle.
- Know that rolling friction is responsible for the movement of vehicles on the road.
- Explain the difference between motorised and non-motorised transport.
- Know the uses of cable cars, fire engines, battle tanks and vehicles used for agriculture purposes.
Each concept is explained to class 4 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Types of Vehicles in PDF format.
What are Vehicles?
- Vehicles are used for transporting goods and people, especially on land.
- The wheels of the vehicles help them to move on the road due to rolling friction.
- Vehicles need a source of power to help them move or stop.
Examples: Truck, lorry, bus, car, train, etc.
Types of Vehicles:
1. According to the number of wheels, vehicles can be of the following types—
a) Two-Wheeler Vehicles:
- These types of vehicles have two wheels.
- They need less road space compared to other vehicles.
- Two-wheelers like bicycles cannot be used for covering a long distance in a short time.
- These types of vehicles are self-driven and are more affordable than four-wheelers.
Examples:
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| Moped | Bicycle |
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| Motorbike | Scooter |
b) Three-Wheeler Vehicles:
- Three-wheeler vehicles have three wheels and are also called tricycles.
- Three-wheelers drawn by men have pedals that help the vehicle to move. These types of three-wheelers are used for the transportation of goods.
Example: An ice-cream cart. - In villages, three-wheelers like bullock-carts and horse-carts can be seen.
- Three-wheelers can transport four to six people at a time.
- In cities, goods carrying three-wheelers have a carrying container at the back.
Examples:
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| E- rickshaw | Auto |
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| Rickshaw | Ice-cream cart |
c) Four-Wheeler Vehicles:
- Four-wheelers are the most commonly used vehicles having four wheels.
- Four-wheelers are more convenient and comfortable than two or three-wheelers.
- Four-wheelers carry people or goods from one place to another, and they can easily cover a long distance within a limited time.
- Cars and buses carry people, whereas trucks and lorries carry goods.
- Four-wheelers are costlier and safer than two or three-wheelers.
Examples:
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| Car | Bus |
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| Truck | Lorry |
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| Jeep | Double-decker bus |
d) Six-wheeler vehicles:
- These vehicles have six wheels and are mostly used to transport heavy goods from one place to another.
- Six-wheeler buses are used for carrying many people at a time.
- In our country, such vehicles are mainly seen on the highways.
- As these vehicles are pretty heavy, they tend to damage the roads.
Examples:
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| Bus | Truck |
2. According to the usage of energy sources, vehicles can be of two types—
a) Non-motorised vehicles:
- These vehicles do not depend on an engine or motor for movement and are also called human-powered vehicles.
- These types of vehicles are pushed by hand or are moved by pedalling.
- Non-motorised vehicles are environmentally friendly as they do not emit toxic gases that cause air pollution.
- Covering a long distance in these vehicles is challenging because a huge amount of physical power is needed to drive.
- Non-motorised vehicles are more affordable than motorised ones.
Examples:
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| Bicycle | Cycle rickshaw |
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| Skate | Skateboard |
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| Push scooter | Hand cart |
b) Motorised vehicles:
- These vehicles depend on an engine or motor for movement and extract energy from fuels, electric lines, batteries, etc.
- The engines or motors are complex machines that convert different forms of energy into mechanical energy.
- The combustion of fuel in the engine releases energy that enables the vehicles to move on roads.
- Battery-installed vehicles are more environmentally friendly than fuel-charged vehicles.
- Sailboats and yachts use wind energy as their primary source of energy and move on water.
Examples:
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| Car | Bus |
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| Electric car | Solar car |
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| Motorbike | Motorised boat |
Other types of vehicles:
- Trams need electrified rails and overhead cables to move.
- Trains need separate railroads, whereas aeroplanes, helicopters, etc., are used for air travel.
Examples:
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| Tram | Train |
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| Aeroplane | Helicopter |
Special vehicles:
1. Tractor:
A tractor is a farm vehicle used in agriculture. It is used to loosen and prepare the soil before sowing seeds. It is also used to uproot weeds and provide irrigation. Tractors are operated by farmers.
2. Ambulance:
An ambulance is a vehicle used to transport sick or injured people to the hospital. An ambulance is always equipped with a first aid kit and essential medicines. Usually, a driver and a nurse stay with the patient in the ambulance for initial health support. An ambulance has a siren that alerts people of its presence.
3. Fire Engine:
Fire engines appear like trucks, and carry firefighters to the site where a fire has broken out. They are fitted with sirens and have all the required equipment to extinguish the fire.
4. Police car:
Police cars are special vehicles used by police for patrolling and chasing criminals. They are fitted with sirens and emergency vehicle lighting.
5. Racing car:
Racers use racing cars to participate in car races. These are high-speed cars.
6. Goods train:
Goods trains are used to transport goods from one place to another place like coal, grains, fuel, etc. A goods train may have twenty-eight to thirty wagons.
7. Battle Tank:
Battle tanks are fighting vehicles that are used in wars to throw explosives.
New Words:
Combustion: The process of burning. In this case, it indicates the burning of fuels.
Fuel: Something which is burned to generate heat or power.
Yacht: A large and expensive boat used for racing or recreational purpose.
Irrigation: The supply of water to farmlands for better crop production by various means is called irrigation.
Did You Know?
- A ropeway is a cable car that is powered by an engine. It moves goods and passengers from downhill to uphill and vice versa.
- There are helicopters specifically assigned for lifting and carrying critically-ill patients to hospitals. These are called air ambulances and are equipped with all the necessary medical devices.
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