[The Vector] Lithium – Squalls Before the Promised Land
It’s hardly news that the lithium ion battery industry is poised for huge growth. Lithium ion batteries account for about 20 percent of $50 billion battery sales worldwide and they are expected to play a major part in electrical and hybrid vehicles as well in the crucial energy storage sector for utilities providing a greater proportion of their electricity from solar and wind sources. But there are some who worry that lithium ion battery producers may experience considerable turbulence as they climb.
A group of experts at a California event hosted by Silicom Ventures last April pointed to opportunities for massive growth for the industry. According to Atiq Raza, CEO of lithium ion battery producer Seeo, even if electric vehicles only experience tiny growth, battery production will have to increase ten-fold in ten years.
Here’s what Mark Platshon, a partner with VantagePoint Venture Partners (San Bruno, Calif. — the folks who invested in electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors as well as battery companies) said recently: (more…)