Battery history is filled with promising battery chemistries that never took off, or became a dominant technology. This does not necessarily mean that the chemistry was bad. More often, it solved one problem while creating another.
Edison’s Nickel-Iron Battery Is a Good Example
Thomas Edison’s nickel-iron battery is a good example. Edison spent years developing it as a possible alternative to the heavy lead-acid batteries in electric vehicles.
Nickel-iron cells could be remarkably durable. But they had disadvantages including lower energy density, gas generation during charging and other factors limiting performance.
Batteries Are Part Of a Complete System
Some promising battery chemistries never took off because batteries are part of a complete system. A battery that lasts for decades may still be unsuitable for a vehicle if it is too heavy or expensive.
Similarly, a chemistry with excellent energy density may not be suitable if it is difficult to manufacture safely.
Battery History Contains Many Such Compromises
The history of batteries contains many such compromises. Some chemistries offered long life but poor energy density. Others provided high power but used expensive or problematic materials.
Some worked particularly well for specialized applications, but could not compete with established batteries in the much larger consumer market. Cost also matters.
Existing Technologies Benefit From Established Supply Chains
A technically impressive battery must eventually be manufactured in large quantities at a price customers will accept. Existing technologies benefit from established factories, supply chains and engineering knowledge, making them difficult to displace.
This is why battery history is not simply a list of inventions followed by successful products. It is a process of elimination. Engineers test different combinations of materials and discover where each one works- and where it does not.
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