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.

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:

Moped	Bicycle
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:

E- rickshaw	Auto
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:

Car	Bus
Truck	Lorry
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:

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:

Bicycle	Cycle rickshaw
Skate	Skateboard
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:

Car	Bus
Electric car	Solar car
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:

Tram	Train
Aeroplane	Helicopter

Special vehicles:

New Words:

 

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