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Is the word automovel the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

The difference between the two lies in typical usage. In Brazil, "automóvel" is almost never used in casual, everyday conversation; it is reserved for highly formal, technical, legal, or journalistic contexts. In daily life, a Brazilian will almost exclusively use the word "carro." In Portugal, while "carro" is also the standard for daily life, "automóvel" is used much more naturally in formal or administrative contexts (such as "seguro automóvel" — car insurance) and does not sound as strikingly out of place in more sophisticated speech as it does in Brazil.

Brazilian Portuguese (using "automóvel" in its natural, formal context):

  1. O automóvel foi apreendido pela polícia. (The automobile was seized by the car police.)
  2. O preço do automóvel subiu muito este ano. (The price of the automobile has risen a lot this year.)
  3. Este automóvel possui tecnologia de ponta. (This automobile possesses cutting-edge technology.)
  4. O automóvel está registrado em nome da empresa. (The automobile is registered in the company's name.)
  5. O acidente envolveu um automóvel de luxo. (The accident involved a luxury automobile.)

Portuguese (using "carro" for daily life and "automóvel" for formal contexts):

  1. O meu carro está na oficina. (My car is at the mechanic's.)
  2. Vou fazer o seguro do automóvel. (I am going to get the car insurance.)
  3. Podes estacionar o carro aqui? (Can you park the car here?)
  4. O carro ficou cheio de lama. (The car got covered in mud.)
  5. Tenho de levar o carro ao mecânico. (I have to take the car to the mechanic.)