Electric cars, and to a more limited extent, smartphones are both beneficiaries of the development of batteries and rare earth magnets. Smartphones, from the du

Electric cars, and to a more limited extent, smartphones are both beneficiaries of the development of batteries and rare earth magnets. Smartphones, from the dull but vital investment in wireless infrastructure. This also explains why the boom in e-bikes waited until the past few years, despite the level of demand that would have been obvious to anybody, and the minimal support tech needed to make them work.