Heya andyno, every technology was expensive when it was first...

Yes, I agree, graphite is a part of our future and not just in Lithium batteries. Also agree on small nuclear - response to andyno3 below.

Heya andyno, every technology was expensive when it was first introduced. You only have to look at what prices for pure EVs have done over the last number of years, or look at the computer/smart phone/internet et al.

Economies of scale will be the driver and army's are not small especially the US. This quote from one of previous links posted this morning:

"The US military is the largest institutional consumer of petroleum fuels on the planet, using as many as 4.2 billion gallons of fuel each year. The military pays a premium for its fuel—the Defense Logistics Agency spent over $9 billion dollars on fuel in 2019. Expenditures went down significantly during the pandemic but in 2022 Congress had to appropriate more money for fuel purchases not once, but twice for a total of $3 billion extra. Furthermore, the ongoing war in Ukraine and OPEC’s commitment to reduce production will keep fuel prices high for the foreseeable future. The price of delivering fuel to remote outposts can cost the Pentagon as much as $1,000 per gallon, according to the Army. And dollars aren’t the only way the military pays for fuel; it also pays for it with the blood of service members. Between 2003 and 2007 one out of every eight casualties in Iraq came as a result of protecting fuel convoys."

Military are predicting hybrids could save 20% of energy costs of military vehicles. Based on above quote, that's almost $1B/yr, there's a lot of R&D those $s can drive, also, they will always be looking for the next technological advantage they can get. It wouldn't surprise me if that happens down the track.