Yes I think Lithium has legs. Battery technology seems to take sequential, rather than geometric leaps and Lithium is becoming (or is) the standard. Although Ahhaha never cared (or seemed to, you never could tell) for solar, I'm a believer. The only way I can see mainstream use though is to find a way to store electricity generated. TESLA has the right plan. But the technology is getting those off the shelf batteries to work in tandem without creating fire hazards (see BA). Innovation HAS to come for TESLA, otherwise 1/7 of their market becomes boat anchors every year. Realistically how would you even sell a 3 year half car, half boat anchor to upgrade your ride? The only way I can see them continuing is to somehow get the price of those battery packs down to the price of a replaced gas engine. If they succeed (and they musk) the applications for storage in homes and businesses far outweigh what they do in cars. Hello Solar City!
In my opinion, that was one of the reasons Elon opened up the patents. He has no idea how to get those prices down currently. The Gigafactory, again in my view, was a trial balloon to get the industry (read panasonic) in gear. But then he looked out the window and saw a huge line of bankers and financeers with suitcases of cash in their hands, shrugged his shoulders and said, "well why not?". He needs and answer and he needs it soon.
This catalyst should stir some enthusiasm about lithium batteries in general and, if in fact prices drop, many many more applications. Since I dont see a leapfrog in the chemistry likely in the next 5 years or so, it seemed to me having a foot in the industry was a good idea. Seems ALB agreed.
So I'm fishing around for thoughts. I choose this thread because I do beleive there is good brainpower here and frankly without Ahhaha bashing my above thoughts you guys just don't have enough to think about. |
