CATL are working on solid-state aluminum metal cells that have a max theoretical energy density higher than JP4 per kg. Practically aluminum is 3 times lithium so 1500wh/kg this is due to aluminum being a 3+ valence electron ion vs lithium of 1+, calcium,magnesium both are 2+ and ion cells using Ca2+ or Mg2+ are also in the works. The secret sauce is the nanoglass solid electrolyte and ceramic cathodes. All of the cells are metal anodes with store bought aluminum foil already showing 600+wh/kg in test cells. It’s when not if at this point.
Forget EVs if that gets one all run-up into a tissy the world functions daily on on high density power cells. Smartphones ,tablets, laptops, and modern medical devices simply cannot exist without 200+wh/kg power cells. It is for that reason alone third generation metal solid state cell tech will be commercialized.
Emotos,Ebikes,Escooters(stand-up&sit down),and ethree wheelers also alone mean advanced cells get made. Car sized vehicles and ultimately drones, air taxis and commuter sized aircraft is all secondary and spin off markets. The primary use will be personal electronics that hold 3 times the charge, charge in seconds and last 10000 to 50000 cycles.
We are inundated with "battery breakthrough" new tech which never seems to make it to market. Energy density greater than JP4 is a very difficult technical achievement. It will be wonderful if it can be brought to fruition. All sorts of interesting applications await.
If it is cheap enough to produce, it could make solar and wind power actually usable for significant energy applications on the grid.
If you are correct, lithium will become near worthless when these lithium free batteries become widely available.