Automobiles are vehicles with four wheels, which are designed to transport many people. The term automobile derives from the French word “automobile,” which means “car”. Automobiles were invented in the 19th century. Before this, there was the motorcycle, which used a horizontal, one-cylinder gasoline engine and a drive chain attached to the rear wheel.
Both automobiles and motorcycles have advantages and disadvantages. Motorcycles require less maintenance and are cheaper to buy. They also take up less space compared to cars. In fact, three motorcycles can fit in the parking space of one car. Motorcycles are also more convenient when it comes to towing. Cars can be wonched onto a trailer, while motorcycles have to be cartwheeled.
The EU has made it mandatory for new motorcycles to meet stricter regulations governing their emissions. They are now required to emit less than 5.0 grams of carbon monoxide per km. In 2007, they had to emit less than 0.15 grams of carbon monoxide. In 2016, the emissions from new motorcycles were only 1.14 grams of carbon monoxide. By 2020, the emissions from motorcycles should be reduced further.
The emergence of automobiles in the twentieth century can be traced back to the development of mass-production and the use of internal combustion engines. During the first half of the twentieth century, automobiles began to become affordable to the average person. Ford Motor Company’s Model T, the first mass-produced automobile, was introduced to the public in 1908. By 1927, the Ford Motor Company had produced 15 million cars.