whatyareckon

Giant lithium-ion batteries are said to be the panacea for the hopeless intermittency of wind and solar; they’re also said to be the backbone for an all-Electric Vehicle future.

Neither proposition stands a moment’s scrutiny.

The true cost of energy storage using lithium-ion batteries is phenomenal, such that it will never match the scale needed to compensate for the erratic and occasional delivery of wind and solar.

The hefty cost of the latest EVs equipped with sufficient battery capacity to drive further than the local shops, puts them out of reach for all but hotshot lawyers and merchant bankers. The fact that the materials required for lithium-ion batteries involves stripmining the poorest parts of the Third World doesn’t appear trouble the EV aficionado.

With a little help from a battery with all the wit and charm of KITT – David Hasselhoff’s highly intelligent Trans Am in Knight Rider – Bruce…