Why don't we have better batteries yet?

[+and-then]

http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/renewable_energy.cfm

In 1973 I remember the long lines at gas stations and the appearance of new, "mini" cars from Japan. People were angry about the embargo by OPEC and sought to find alternative energy such as solar, geothermal and wind. Fast forward nearly forty years and people are still angry and talking about the same energy sources..Why has there been no significant progress? More to the point, why has no one invented a truly long lasting, affordable storage unit(battery) for the power we do have?

[Sakari]

http://www.eia.gov/e...able_energy.cfm

In 1973 I remember the long lines at gas stations and the appearance of new, "mini" cars from Japan. People were angry about the embargo by OPEC and sought to find alternative energy such as solar, geothermal and wind. Fast forward nearly forty years and people are still angry and talking about the same energy sources..Why has there been no significant progress? More to the point, why has no one invented a truly long lasting, affordable storage unit(battery) for the power we do have?

Because the oil companies would lose money......

The technology is there.

Actually, Solar Powered houses....Batteries are used, and the solar energy recharges them.Enough to do a entirte house, or part of it, up to the person buying it.

[Hugh]

The big oil companies have so much invested in oil, they want everyone to keep using it and all it's byproducts...

They have bought up the patents in many areas for technologies that are much more energy efficient for all kinds of stuff.