Lithium sulphur batteries

Yes, I had a look at that one, Mark, but my eyes glazed over :-( LOL

This one and this were a bit more on my level.

What I gained from those two was that there's huge potential in lithium-sulphur technology but the major drawback at this stage of development is a significant loss of capacity over relatively few cycles. eg 15% over 200 to 300 cycles. That's unfavourable compared to LFP that we use now in RVs, but is probably favourable compared to lead-acid.

On the other hand, with the greater energy density you may be able to tolerate the greater loss of capacity, depending on application. And cost would come into it as well. Sulphur is cheap, so theoretically lithium-sulphur batteries could be cheaper on a capacity basis than LFP and therefore a 300 cycle life may be acceptable.

Quite a few variables to consider.

Isnt it amazing that batteries didnt really change much in a hundred years until the governments started pushing for lower emissions then all of a sudden batteries are a quater the size and weight.

No, there's nothing amazing about the power of the robber barons, the oil and gas industry, and huge manufacturing giants, to alter the direction of the Govts planning and decision-making of the world in the past.

But the worm has turned, and neither the auto manufacturers nor the oil and gas producers (particularly OPEC) have the power they once had.

In the early 1900's electric cars driven by lead-acid batteries were very popular and more reliable than the early IC engines.
But Henry Ford and John Rockefeller (amongst others) conspired to ensure electric cars did not receive the support or funding they could have used.
Instead, the support and funding was directed towards the IC engine car.

John D Rockefeller, owner of Standard Oil, was the main financier behind Henry Ford.
He wanted oil to be the dominant fuel of the world, and he went to great lengths to ensure that happened.

In the same vein, General Motors bought up all the tramways companies in America and made sure all electric trams were removed, and replaced by IC engine powered GM buses.

I'm glad I live in the era where Big Oil has lost a large part of its hold over us. I'm glad I will have a better choice for transportation power in the future.