RE:By the time they've wasted a $100 million... You may correct in 30 years there may be something that entirely replaces graphite and in 30 years there may be a viable, economical, robust solid state battery and maybe even nuclear fusion power.
There is a saying , this technology is 30 years away and always will be.
Today, NOW, at the Present the battery world is being taken over by lithium-ion using graphite. Seize the oppertunity today.
Even with lithium ion batteries we all still using lead acid batteries in cars and mototcycles, marine, snowmobiles etc. loaded with graphite, why? Because of cost and benifit analysis.
All the new techniologies unless they are way better and cheaper and robost enough to handle the real world applications will not be quickly adopted in cars other wise they become very unaffordable.
Get on board my friend while the getting is good.
Regards,
WJ