Two men’s opinions

Lithium has been problematic. But that's just the battery of choice today. Next generation has far more storage capacity. Charge time efficient and far less environmentally impactful. The problem today? They're not yet economically viable. (There is that word again? It's always the ultimate factor.) But they will be. Grandma's grocery getter easily out performing our beloved muscle. Today's muscle also out performed.

What's the next generation? So far, nothing is even within an order of magnitude of chemical fuels.

I'd rather use photosynthesis to make ethanol than use toxic solar panels to turn 20% of that sun into 30% transmission losses and 50% thermal loss going into and out of a battery...