I wonder. One of the reasons internal combustion has lasted so long is great boatloads of cash get showered on the technology trying to eke out that last 0.2% of efficiency, and when that's the situation eventually someone has a bright idea that makes a bigger difference.
If lithium ends up with the same advantage, other technologies that ought to be better may end up lagging even in the long term.
I see what you are saying. But maybe some big company like Panasonic or Seimens will decide to put the needed bucks into flow batteries. Or maybe China will do what it is doing with PV's and decide to push them hard.
If lithium ends up with the same advantage, other technologies that ought to be better may end up lagging even in the long term.