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Summary

Lithium batteries are a big deal. We use them in all sorts of devices, from mobile phones to laptops and even in electronic cigarettes (vapes). But in recent years, a lot of attention has focused on electric vehicles (EVs) powered by lithium — fueling a revolution in transport as we abandon petrol and diesel fuels.

 This paper explores why lithium is key to that revolution, what the limits and challenges are in using lithium as an energy source, and where developments might go in future. However, in the UK that future has just become much less certain.

More about the author

Simon Guerrier is a writer, producer and editor of InfoTec.news. He's the creator of the science-fiction series Graceless, plus various audio plays and documentaries. ​As a producer, Simon has made documentaries for BBC Radio 3 and has been a regular writer on titles ranging from Horrible Histories Magazine to medical journal The Lancet, and was for 13 years, a reporter for Hansard in the House of Lords. He has been a guest on Front Row and The Infinite Monkey Cage for BBC Radio 4, and has given talks at venues ranging from the the National Portrait Gallery to the Blue Dot science festival at Jodrell Bank.