"In the long term, it is the Solid-state batteries (which are 50% more efficient) that might eventually pay dividends. Currently, car manufacturers from BMW to Toyota are literally spending billions to develop them. On top of increasing range, sustainability, and safety, solid-state batteries are also expected to help reduce manufacturing costs drastically once they're properly implemented."

Where did this sort of optimistic statement come from?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-hybrids/here-s-when-evs-will-be-as-affordable-as-gas-powered-cars/ar-AA1cWVFi?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=12d49625bc1d45a69d1394cba7a76003&ei=50

The SSB, Solid State Batteries, may be the life raft lithium is looking for here in the USA.  

“A dramatic improvement in energy density combined with a drop in costs is the energy storage unicorn sought by researchers in the solid state lithium-metal field,” CleanTechnica noted back in May of 2020.

Well, OK, so CleanTechnica was somewhat optimistic back in 2020, but that brings us to the question of "what have you done for me lately?"

“If all goes according to plan, the EV battery of the future will be faster-charging, longer-ranging, less expensive, less reliant on rare earths and toxic chemicals, and more easily recyclable, helping to push gasmobiles out of the market sooner rather than later,”

Blah, blah, blah... again:  What have you done for me lately?

An interesting answer to that question may be found in the article linked below:

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/23/solid-state-battery-gigafactories/

The latest solid state battery news comes from Taiwan, where the startup ProLogium is already pushing out its giga-scale solid state battery line at its Taoke factory in Taoyuan for delivery to electric vehicle manufacturers this year. Plans are also coming in hot for a second factory in France.

Other parts of this article deal with continuing developments here in the U.S. regarding commercialization of the lithium SSB, including developments in Colorado.  Read the article for the details.

Some light in the tunnel.  Another train coming or daylight?  Time will tell.

Onward through the FOG and the "tunnel"

Okiedo