Batteries are the new sexy. Companies like Tesla, Lucid and Sila Nanotechnologies are working on innovations that will lead to 50% reduction in battery costs and huge increases in range during the next 5-10 years. A $25,000 Tesla is on the horizon. Kurt Kelty of Sila Nanotechnologies, a Silicon- Valley-based company now valued at more than $1 billion, will soon supply Daimler and BMW with innovative materials that make breakthroughs on battery range and costs a reality.