And before that there were several decades of massive incentive to develop smaller more powerful ICE engines.
Lithium probably has some room to grow, but it also has a lot of problems like volatility and materials sourcing. EV manufacturers have been searching for ways to make better/cheaper/denser batteries, not better/cheaper/denser lithium batteries. They’ve been actively searching for alternatives.
Would be interested in seeing/reading more about it, don’t have/want the subscription to read the white paper. Just seems like it could be somewhat like mirrors where it’s important for the glass to be liquid at one point so there’s no distortions and a strong bond but then once it’s constructed it just sits there.