While Western nations drag their feet in developing solar powered transportation options, Chinese companies move aggressively into this new market. The Post notes that Chinese battery maker BYD has Signed Its First Agreement for Solar Energy Batteries:
A significant market for these types of batteries will continue to drive down the cost and also lead to improvements in storage capacities and power to weight ratios. Will these Chinese companies leap past the dirty legacy of oil-powered transportation while establishing an insurmountable lead over Western firms?
How Do Batteries Work? Technical Details and Applications
Rechargeable batteries, used for solar-powered transportation, “are [also] fundamental to battery-backup and off-grid home solar arrays.” So, improvements in solar batteries for transportation may also lead to improvements in residential and commercial solar energy storage.