The battery in every gasoline or diesel vehicle today looks pretty much the same: It's a black box with two silver posts for the cables. Sure, there can be some minor differences inside, but automobile batteries haven't changed much for around a century.
Things are going to be very different as the electric vehicle era ramps up. Billions are being spent to improve battery safety, durability, power capabilities and charging times.
The battery is changing from being a cheaply replaced regular wear item into one of the most crucial parts of the vehicle.
It will be the battery that determines how far and how fast an EV can go on a charge. The battery will affect the sticker price when a vehicle is new and its value on the used-car market.
Unlike today's batteries, EV batteries will come in different shapes and sizes and have chemistries that vary, depending on the battery manufacturer, the brand of vehicle and the vehicle's mission.