It is believed that the first steam self-propelled vehicles capable of carrying people and luggage were developed in the late 18th century. Nicolas-Joseph Cunho is the world-renowned inventor of the first full-size self-propelled mechanical machine. His creations include a tricycle and two steam tractors designed specifically for the French army, one of which is kept in the French National Museum of Arts and Crafts.

The development of the car began in 1764, when Cugnot received an official commission from the French Minister of War, Marquis de Chouazel, to create a steam tractor for artillery. In October 1769, Cugnot demonstrated his car in Paris for the first time. It was a three-wheeled cart with a boiler and two pistons placed on the front wheel and rotated with it. In order to heat the water, the fire was ignited in a stove under the boiler, and when the water boiled the machine set off. Steam boiler load was enough for 15 minutes. Then again the boiler had to be filled with water and a fire was lit under it.

Steam vehicle evolved power of about 2 hp. and could carry up to 3 tons of cargo at a speed of about 4 km/h. The engineer himself called his apparatus a "fiery cart".