Why is the automotive industry excited about lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium is the third lightest element and the lightest metal, with properties unique in terms of energy and power density. The potential of the lithium-ion battery is best illustrated by the evolution and development of the mobile phone industry. Remember the days of brick-sized cell phones? Over the years, the cell phone has been dramatically downsized in terms of size and cost, leading to its widespread adoption. All this would have been impossible without advances in lithium-ion battery technology. As batteries have become more efficient and capable of storing more energy, mobile devices have become dramatically smaller and more practical. Apply this principle to vehicles powered by similar lithium-ion battery technology, and the potential becomes apparent.
