That is true, but they are also immensely complex - I wouldn't say it was 'wasted' effort (as the above poster did), but modern ICE engines are ludicrously comp

That is true, but they are also immensely complex - I wouldn't say it was 'wasted' effort (as the above poster did), but modern ICE engines are ludicrously complex electro-mechanical devices. If this much effort is expended on improving battery technology (as I think it will be), then the future is very bright for EVs because they are already much better than ICE in many ways - simplicity and reliability as well as emissions. I think it will be much like in F1 - remember when the limitation on gearbox and engine replacements in a season were introduced and many commentators said it would lead to there being no cars on the grid at the end of the season? What actually happened was the engineers created hitherto undreamt of levels of reliability. I'm sure the same will happen for EV batteries once they are the only game in town and ICE is no longer any kind of option.