The internal combustion engine in a car transforms the possible chemical energy in fuel and oxygen into thermal energy, which is then converted into mechanical energy, which accelerates the vehicle by creating friction and doing work on the pistons, increasing its kinetic energy. The energy released by burning fuels is used to create other types of energy. Any of the chemical energy in fuel is converted to heat as it burns in a car engine. Mechanical energy is generated by converting heat into mechanical energy. The car is propelled by mechanical energy.
