Quebec’s public utility has partnered with Stuttgart-based autohersteller to further develop solid-state lithium batteries, widely considered to be the next frontier in the electrification of transport. (The Logic)

Talking point: Researchers hope the solid-state lithium battery—lighter, more powerful and less combustible than its lithium-ion brethren used in most electric vehicles—will break the “energy-density bottleneck” of current battery technology. Though better known for storing its energy as water behind Quebec’s massive dams, Hydro-Québec ventured into battery technology research and development in 2018, with an emphasis on solid-state technology. The challenge is the size and cost: currently, solid-state lithium batteries are too expensive to be viable.