Ben Goren via EV wrote:
In general, we are rapidly approaching but not quite yet at the time when lithium trumps lead for all use cases. Once Tesla's Gigafactory comes online, we may well reach that point. It won't be all that long before starter batteries in ICE vehicles are lithium....
It's interesting that you say that. Did you know that you could find exactly the same statements every time every new battery technology has come along?
When Tom Edison invented the nickel-iron battery, he swore it would replace lead-acid. It did... in a few special applications where its longer life meant more than being cheap.
When nicads were invented, they were going to replace lead-acid. Their did... in aircraft, and for very small cells where their higher performance meant more than being cheap.
When nimh was invented, it was going to replace lead-acid. That didn't happen, either. (Chevron got hold of the patents, and that was the end of that).
Now lithium proponents are making the claim again. But so far, lithiums are still substantially more expensive, essentially monopolized by China, and have not demonstrated enough advantages to convince any penny-pinching automakers, industrial EVs, or even John Q Public to use them in place of lead-acid.
I don't say this with pride; I'm actually sad to see it work out this way. It's just that our society creates an overwhelming pressure to keep doing the Same Old Thing, no matter what, no matter how many better ideas come along, until absolutely FORCED to change.
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