The chariot has a number of symbolic meanings.  Sun gods usually carried the sun around in a chariot, so it is often a solar symbol.  A chariot, often a fiery one, carried souls up to heaven in many ancient societies.  Victors and heros often rode a chariot in a parade celebrating the victory so it can also symbolize victory, especially victory of the higher self over the lower self.  Usually, spiritual chariots are drawn by white horses, but not always.  In a few cases, it is drawn by white swans.  The chariot of Jupiter was drawn by bulls.  The chariot of Venus, by doves.  Diana's chariot was pulled by stags.  Thor's chariot was drawn by goats or rams.
    In Hinduism, there is a lot of symbolism in chariots.  The charioteer is the self.  The horses are life-forces.  The two wheels represent heaven and earth or the material world and the spiritual world.  Siva drive a chariot drawn by gazelles or antelopes.  
    In Iran, the chariot of the Magi is drawn by four horses representing the four elements.  
    In the Bible, chariots often symbolize war or power.  
    The Chariot card in Tarot is symbolic of control.  In this case, the horses represent primitive emotions and instinctive behavior while the charioteer represents the mind or the spiritual self.
    Our common word "car" for the modern automobile, is derived from ancient words for chariots such as the latin carrum, the French charriote or the gaulish karros.