[PhantomPholly]

A new concept in chemistry called "mechanical bonds" stemming from a Nobel prize last year may form the basis of the next major leap in battery chemistry. Called "molecular pulleys" in this research, these bonds may allow for the massive expansion that takes place in silicon-based batteries without the breakdown usually seen after only 100 or so charge cycles.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170720142314.htm

Putting the technology pieces together:

• 24M re-invented the battery manufacturing process, and ground has already broken for 4 new plants in Australia this year which will slash the cost of current LiIon chemistry batteries in half
• If researchers can successfully employ similar manufacturing techniques for batteries using the new silicon chemistry, we may see automobiles with 1,000-1,500 mile ranges in 5-8 years for the same cost as the new 24M batteries (or, about 10-25% of the cost of today's LiIon batteries)

This would actually be a bit ahead of the 65 year exponential battery price trend and would represent a real breakthrough. Even if it takes 10 years to get this into production, by 2027 electric vehicles will be much cheaper than ICE vehicles.

 

[Karter2]

Toyota are claiming to have SS cells in an EV by 2022...
http://www.caradvice.com.au/570082/toyota-ev-with-solid-state-batteries-planned-for-2022-report/

.
Toyota has reportedly been researching solid state batteries for years, and German automakers BMW and Volkswagen are understood to also be working on the technology.

Last year Toyota and its research partners, including the Tokyo Institute of Technology, announced they had found a material suitable for use as a solid electrolyte. Despite that, the technology is still a long way from mass production.
..if these could be produced cheaply enough, they could push electric vehicles into the mainstream with recharge times claimed to be just a few minutes, an energy density twice that of current lithium-ion technology, and greatly improved crash safety properties...

 

[PhantomPholly]

Toyota are claiming to have SS cells in an EV by 2022...
http://www.caradvice.com.au/570082/toyota-ev-with-solid-state-batteries-planned-for-2022-report/

Not as optimistic about that one as they have not (to my knowledge) demonstrated a working prototype. However, there are literally dozens of groups working on SS battery tech, so quite possible one will succeed.

 

[ColMosby]

It has always been the conventional view that batteries with a price of $100
will make EVs price competitive with gas powered vehicles. They are close to that right now, which is why mid-upper priced cars like the newest EVs are doing well.
Hardly a month goes by without some news about some big advancement in batteries. This has been going on for a decade now, and we still are using Li ions. Wake me when someone actually is producing one of these things.