On December 19th, 2016, a new Czech company, HE3DA s.r.o., based in Prague, opened an automated production line for batteries based on nanotechnology. It’s claimed they are more efficient, last loner, are cheaper, weigh less and are safer than conventional technologies. Company president Dr. Jan Prochazka said he was opening up new markets first in the renewable energy sector, and then electric vehicles, rather than compete with existing lithium battery products.