That's true.
Tesla knows it's not easy to make an ESS, and all the patents they have on it effectively means only Tesla (and those they deem worthy) get to use it. Small EV makers don't have many choices these days.
I'm a little surprised there aren't more A123-based EVs out there. That technology is already in mass production (for use by power drills and such), and has been proven effective by the "KillaCycle"... makes me wonder why its not more popular.
-Ryan / Kardax