At times I observe a running car exhaust with wonder.

This product of human ingenuity has made life so comfortable for most of us.

The mobility in our lives is facilitated by autoMOBILES or cars.

But they derive their energy from fossil fuels – the diesel, the petrol, the kerosene and what-have-you.

The most efficient fossil fuels should burn to release a mixture of carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Now this is the best case scenario – which still is not good for the planet because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which promotes climate change.

So if this is the best case scenario, what’s the worst case?

AIR POLLUTION

Most fossil fuels burn to release a mixture of gases other than carbon dioxide. 

These include a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur oxides which irritate our resporatory tracts.

But these are no match for a brand of pollutants that hold a different tag altogether.

PARTICULATE MATTER 

These are very small particles released from burning fossil fuels – some being less than a micrometer in diameter.

Now particulate matter would not be much of a big deal if it only caused a slight throat irritation.

But that’s not the case.

These minute airborne particles – so small for the eyes to see – carry with them a lethal punch.

They are a mixture of pollutants known to cause a range of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, mental health deterioration, heart and organ failure – to name but a few.

So what happens if we inhale toxic urban air over the longhaul?

How could we reduce the risk from such exposure?

ELECTRIC VEHICLES & MOTORCYCLES

Of course if we intend to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust, the automobile engine must be replaced.

But, let’s be real here.

Fossil fuels are attractive for a couple of reasons…

First, they are easy to use and store,

Second, they are energy intensive – they carry a large amount of energy per gram

And lastly, vehicle engines have been tailor-made to use them.

But even though they deliver to us quick energy, they give us a raw deal in the air we breathe.

Which is why electric vehicles – and motorcycles – are worth considering.

Electric vehicles might not completely replace fossil fuel driven vehicles.

But they’ll offer to us a lifeline not just in using renewable energy but also in improving our ambient air.

ENERGY STORAGE

Unlike the internal combustion engine (which drives everyday vehicles), electric vehicles require energy storage devices to ‘hold onto’ the energy which drives vehicles.

That’s why batteries are key in this regard.

Electric vehicle companies like Tesla have invested a lot in battery research to allow them find the right fit to drive their vehicles.

In nations like Kenya, electrical vehicle startups such as Roam and Basigo are also on that same trajectory.

Which means that opportunities to innovate in battery technology, hydrogen energy and mechatronics will be on the increase in the near future.

Battery technology and research is an area waiting to be exploited in Sub Saharan nations like Kenya.

Already nations like South Africa have made strides in this regard with centres such as the CSIR leading the way in trying to find the right fit batteries for local applications.

Innovators, makers and engineers have a role to play in researching on locally available battery materials that could be used for local production.

Opportunities exist through recycling of materials from e-waste, used batteries and exploiting locally available mineral resources such as cobalt, titanium, manganese etc.

But all this won’t add up if innovators don’t jump in to capture their space in this field.

Today, most of these innovations are being sold to us from the West yet we have the knowledge and capacity to do the same here.

Electric vehicles are the cars of the future.

We can see this through the increase in hybrid vehicle brands in the market.

But if we seek to bite into this cake, we must role up our sleeves and innovate for local use.

This will not only guarantee us air free from fossil fuel pollutants. 

It will also offer employment opportunities for our people.