For battery technology there is another revolution coming just like in 1991, where nobody could predict the impact the lithium-ion battery would have on personal electronics. Overall, the lithium-ion battery changed the paradigm of how we receive information and treat and interact with people.
The new revolution of similar size will come when there is a 50% deployment of electric cars. “We are at a few percentage points now, 2 or maybe 3%,” says Crabtree. “But that will grow.”
The main thing holding this back is the batteries are too expensive and aren’t powerful enough. And the next generation of batteries being sought by commercial companies, academia and government labs could enable this 50% deployment of electric cars that will dramatically change the face of transportation (as they don’t emit any carbon).
Overall, the future of battery technology is very bright and is ripe for innovation. Just like the beginning of the semiconductor revolution, where there were tremendous advancements taking place, the stakes are high for battery development and commercialization.